Two dominant hills tower over the Jičín basin from the north and Kumburk Castle was built on one of them. The original majestic castle was destroyed by the imperial army in the 17th century. Its remains are protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic. The castle was founded in the 14th century by Markvart of Vartemberk. During the Hussite wars, external fortifications were probably added to the castle. The individual parts of the castle were built in a spiral above each other. An interesting feature of the castle is that in the 17th century it served as a prison not only for criminals, but also for the "family needs" of the castle owners - for example, Sigismund of Smiřický imprisoned his daughter Eliška here for eleven years from 1607, who was guilty of falling in love with an unworthy suitor, i.e. a blacksmith from a peasant family. The Swedes dealt the greatest blow to the Kumburk, devastating it during the Thirty Years´ War, and in 1658 it was completely demolished by order of Emperor Leopold. The Emperor was concerned about his control over the country and ordered the castles with their good fortifications to be destroyed. There are many mysterious rumours about the ruins - a great treasure is said to be hidden here, guarded by a rooster with fiery eyes. And also the ghost of the virgin Melusine and the sad hunter appears here from time to time. The Kumburk Castle Lookout Tower Nowadays, the Kumburk Castle Preservation Association is in charge of the castle´s management and has built a lookout tower from which you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the castle in all directions. In clear weather, you can see for tens of kilometres and you will have the whole area of the gently undulating landscape of the Jičín Hills and the Krkonoše Foothills in the palm of your hand. This view was also loved by Karel Hynek Mácha, whose memorial plaque can be found here. The nearest way to the castle is from the Syřenov train station along the yellow hiking trail (3 km) or from Nová and Stará Paka (4 km). A popular excursion route is also the red trail from Ploužnice (7 km).
At the foot of Mount Tábor in Lomnice nad Popelkou you will find a newly renovated swimming pool. The focal point of the swimming pool is a large pool, which impresses with an island in the middle. This detail gives the area an unusual atmosphere and makes it a popular place for children and adults alike. The pool has been designed to suit all visitors - for experienced swimmers it offers sufficient depth and space for swimming, while for those who are not so confident in the water, there is a shallower section where they can safely indulge in water fun. For the youngest visitors, there are playgrounds and extensive areas for sports and play activities. Children can play carefree and enjoy the fun in a safe environment. For sporty visitors, there is the option of playing beach volleyball or netball, with the necessary equipment available for hire on site. Well-equipped sanitary facilities and refreshments with seating on the pleasant outdoor terrace complete the comfort of visitors. Here you can enjoy a moment of relaxation while sampling some of the local delicacies on offer. In addition to all this, free Wi-Fi is available in the swimming pool area.
East of Nová Paka in northeastern Bohemia is the Novopacky Waterfall natural monument (sometimes called Novopacké or Sýkornické Waterfalls). There are two waterfalls here in a nice gorge - while the Upper one is about 4 kilometres high, the Lower one falls from a height of 8 metres. Those who want to enjoy a nice spectacle should go here in spring, when the snow melts in the mountains, or in winter, when the waterfalls often freeze. The interesting canyon is home to a nice mixed forest and many species of animals, including the swift or the brown jumper. Those who want to learn more can enjoy an information board, and a bench with a nice view at the lower waterfall. There are several different ways to reach the waterfalls: from Vrchovina there is a blue hiking trail, from Nová Paka there is a red trail to Stupna, and then there are several forest trails that will surely not lead anyone astray. From Štikov, you can walk along the green trail to the Elixir of Life well, and from there the well-marked Sýkornice nature trail continues. If you do not have your own transport, you can take a train to Nová Paka and then continue on foot for about 5 kilometres.
The most famous part of Bohemian Paradise is undoubtedly the Prachovské skály, a paradise for climbers. This rock town lies less than 10 km northwest of the town of Jičín. You can choose from several sightseeing tours. The heavily dissected plateau was formed from sediments of sandstone, siltstone and opus in the Mesozoic era. Small volcanic bodies penetrated the chalk rocks in the Neogene and contributed to the disruption of the integrity of the plateau, which began to break up into individual rock blocks, towers and columns due to the action of water and wind. The rock formations of the Prachovské Rocks reach a height of up to 40 metres. A dense network of hiking trails guides you through ravines, gorges, and along the tops of the sandstone cliffs with viewpoints and magical nooks and crannies. The most visited places include the Bohemian Paradise Lookout, the American Slough, Prof. Heken´s Lookout and the Imperial Corridor. On hot summer days, tired tourists can refresh themselves in the natural swimming pool U Pelíšek, named after the spirit of these rocks. The Great Circuit will introduce you to a large number of interesting places in the Prachov Rocks and is the most attractive and interesting route through the rock massifs. For a less demanding tour of the rocks, you can take the shorter Small Circuit, about 1.5 km long, which leads through the beautiful surroundings of the Emperor´s Corridor and features two viewpoints. The route for strollers leads to the Devil´s Kitchen and to the crossroads at the Beech Tree (the beech tree is unfortunately no longer standing after Hurricane Kirill). From here you can follow the red trail from the Křížkovský lookout to the Pechova lookout. You have to go back along the same route. Please note that the stroller should be suitable for travelling, preferably a sports stroller. Also, beware of entering the staircases of the hiking circuits with strollers, where you would soon encounter unwalkable parts! There is a red hiking trail through the middle of the cliffs, but it is not circular. It leads from the entrance to the rocks in Prachov to the hiking hut and the exit from the rocks in Zámostí-Blatech. It passes by the viewpoints and also the Emperor´s Corridor. A paradise for hikers and climbers In 1933 the area was declared a nature reserve and in 2002 the reserve was added to the Protected Landscape Area of the Bohemian Paradise. There are the remains of the medieval Pařez Castle and a large number of viewpoints. Giant sandstone rocks rise out of the forest, with narrow paths and steep steps leading between them. They also have the oldest climbing history in the country. The centre is a romantic rock city of slender tall towers and pillars, with deep and tight gorges between them.
Come and see the pearl of the Podkrkonoší Mountains situated in the middle of this beautiful region, the castle with the interesting name of Pecka. From the castle´s viewpoint you can see the central massif of the Krkonoše Mountains with Sněžka and Černá Hora or the highest point of the region, the Zvičina hill (671 m above sea level). The sightseeing route of the Peckov Castle includes a tour in the reconstructed Harantov Palace, where you will find seven interior rooms, a torture chamber and a cellar. The exposition on the first and second floors focuses on the history of the castle, the life and work of the most famous owner of Pecka - traveller, writer and composer Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice and more generally on the Renaissance and early Baroque periods. One of the rooms is dedicated to the life of rural people in the Podkrkonoší region. An interesting part is a tour of a stylish black kitchen with a functional Renaissance fireplace and a cellar with a torture chamber. In the medieval torture chamber you can see the most famous torture devices, from the scraper and the rumpala to the Spanish boot. The castle dungeon has been open since 1993. Since the same time it has been functioning as a gallery of Czech modern art. The tour is enriched by an authentic demonstration of melodies from a hundred-year-old orchestrion. An interesting feature of Pecka Castle is the 56-metre deep illuminated well in the southern part of the courtyard. The second tour is called Harantov Cellars. The exhibition gives a glimpse into the everyday life of the castle during the time of Kryštof Harant. It is based on contemporary documents, especially the inventory of Harant´s property from 1621, and presents not only the castle´s supply, food storage and food preparation at that time, but also the diet and hygiene of the Harant family. In addition to the wine and beer cellar and pantries, the exhibition also includes the Veselka banquet hall and the spa. The tour is supplemented by a medieval torture chamber. This tour is also recommended for families with children, who can touch history in a playful way through several interactive elements. From the history of the castle The Peckov castle had its greatest heyday in the early 17th century, when Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice (1564 - 1621), a well-educated Renaissance intellectual, stayed here. He spent the last and most fruitful stage of his life here. Kryštof Harant made his mark in Czech history as a traveller, composer, writer and politician.
The observation tower at the Kozinec transmitter is located near the village of Vidochov. From a height of 33 metres you can see the Krkonoše Mountains, the Orlické Mountains, the Ještěd-Kozak Ridge, Zvičina and the Bohemian Paradise. If you are a lover of long-distance views, do not miss the amazing view from the 33-metre-high metal skeleton, from where you can see all sides of the world, especially the Krkonoše Mountains. The structure with the viewing platform belongs to one of the mobile operators, which opens it to the public every Saturday from 12 to 5 pm. The lookout tower is accessible by car from Nová Paka on the road number 16 in the direction of the Krkonoše - after 3.5 km you will see the turn-off to Vidochov, where you can park. Then you have to walk to the lookout tower less than two kilometres. You can take the train to Nová Paka and then follow the green hiking trail for about 4 km directly to the Kozinec hill.
The Tichánek Lookout Tower is located on the Tábor Hill (678 m above sea level), towering above Lomnica nad Popelkou. It is possible to reach the top of the hill by car or bus, there is a large free parking lot where you can leave your car. It is possible to see the Baroque Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord (built in 1704) and then go to the Tichánek lookout tower. A wooden lookout tower stood here as early as 1888, but after nine years it had to be demolished because the wooden structure was rotting due to weather conditions and was no longer safe. A new brick tower was built in its place and opened to the public in 1911. It quickly became a popular and sought-after place for tourists, and in 1913 a tourist hut was built next to the tower to accommodate and refresh visitors. After a change of owners, the hut was closed and decayed for many years, until in 2006 the hut was rebuilt by the new owner into a guesthouse and a year later the tower itself was reconstructed. The lookout tower is 35 metres high, with 145 steps leading up to it through the tower. Entrance to the tower is charged (20 CZK/person) - there is a self-service turnstile for coins. From the top of the tower there is a beautiful view of Lomnice nad Popelkou, Jičín and the surrounding hills Zebín and Kozákov, you can also see Trosky, Bezděz, Černá hora, the panorama of the Jizera Mountains and the Krkonoše Mountains. The Allain Tower was built in 1862 by the princely builder Pruvot at the sources of the Cidlina River and named after one of the princes of Rohan. The circular tower in Neo-Gothic style made of white sandstone blocks measures 13 metres. It was originally used as a romantic lookout, later it was used as a sitting area. If you follow the blue trail from the Tichánek lookout tower south of Lomnice nad Popelkou towards the village of Cidlina, you will come across Allain´s tower in the forest. It was built in 1862 by the architect Pruvot in the Neo-Gothic style. It was named after Allain, Prince of Rohan, who tragically died during a horse race. The Allain Cross was also built in his memory on the slopes of Mount Tabor. The tower is octagonal in plan, with windows opening to the east and west, and doorways to the south and north. The altitude of the tower is 540 m above sea level.
This beautiful monumental tree is a bit of a loner. There are no other trees around it, just an undulating meadow and red soil, which you can also see in Jan Svěrák´s film "Kuky se vrací". The Roškopovská babyka is one of the largest specimens of its kind in the Hradec Králové Region. In the cavity of the trunk it hides clues to find a cache. Thanks to its uniqueness, this tree is one of the protected monumental trees of the Czech Republic. You can leave your car at the bus stop Stará Paka, Roškopov u križe and from there walk north to the babka, which is about 1 km away. Alternatively, you can make a shorter or longer walking tour (3.2 km or 3.9 km).
Ski resort Máchovka is located near the winter stadium in Nová Paka. It offers winter sports lovers a ski slope, snow park and cross-country skiing trails in the surroundings. It is not only in the Giant Mountains that you can ski - the pleasant town of Nová Paka in the Giant Mountains offers winter sports enthusiasts a ski slope with a ski lift, cross-country skiing trails and a winter stadium. There is a parking lot and a restaurant at the starting station where you can have a good lunch and where you can also find a toilet for the disabled. The slopes are technically snow-covered with a mixed system of propeller cannons and snowmaking rods. The slopes are groomed daily with PistenBully and Leitner snowmobiles. There is also a children´s park with a ski carousel in the area, which is equipped with a snow park and a skicross track. Downhill skiing The ski slope is illuminated, regularly snowed and equipped with a Tatrapoma lift, daily grooming by snowmobile. The 400 m long red slope is equipped with a Dopelmayr lift. There is also a 60 m long rope ski lift for children and a 30 m long ski belt for ski lessons. The ski slopes are equipped with measuring equipment for races and the public. There is also an equipment rental. Cross-country ski trails in the vicinity of Nová Paka Cross-country ski trails connect Nová Paka with the restaurant at Klepanda in Syřenov, with Brdo and the Staropacka Mountains. You can ski on the 20 km long classic circuit and the 6 km long skating circuit.