The Mala Skala region belongs to the most picturesque parts of the Bohemian Paradise and the Jizera region. Bizarre rock formations were caused by the Lusatian Fault at the end of the Tertiary period. Then the lower harder Cretaceous sandstones were lifted to a vertical position. That is how the characteristic Suche Skaly - Dry Rocks and the Vranovsky Ridge originated.

The beautiful nature scenery is added to by the Jizera river, historical monuments and folk architecture. There is a timbered Boucek's Farm in Mala Skala with a museum and a gallery. At the other bank, near the road to Snehov, there is the Mala Skala mansion and below, a chapel reconstructed in 1996, with decorations by the painters Jiru and Komarek. The writer Jarmila Glazarova was born in Mala Skala. She is buried in the forest cemetery above the village.

The trail starts at the edge of Mala Skala in the direction to Zelezny Brod. Follow the red trail from the marked road fork at the footbridge across the Jizera in the direction to Frydstejn. First ascend below the Vranovsky Ridge which is formed by hard siliceous sandstone. You can visit the viewpoint called Zahradka - Garden on the rock 55m vertically above the Jizera surface. There you can see other attractions of the beautifully situated Mala Skala lying on both banks of the Jizera river, dominated by the Dry Rocks. The Dry Rocks (Teacher's Organ, Czech Dolomiti) are a unique geomorphologic formation which was given a protected area status in 1965.

To the right of the Dry Rocks, you can see the forested hill called Sokol - Falcon. In its slopes there are interesting rock mazes Chleviste and Kalich with viewpoints offering views of the Jizera river valley. Directly below you, there is the Yellow Swimming Pool where you can hire boats and have a swim. When following our trail, the Vranov - Pantheon ruins are open to general public. These are remnants of a medieval castle which used to be called Skaly, too. After 1820 it was adapted in the Romantic style by baron Römisch. There are beautiful views from this place.

When you go through this interesting monument, continue along the sharp Vranovsky Ridge to the Frydstejn castle ruins. The castle was founded by Frydlant Bieberstejns in the second half of the 14th century. It was besieged by Hussites, however, the siege was not successful. It was deserted in the middle of the 16th century. The massive cylindrical tower, remnants of the palace and ramparts have been preserved. The castle is open only for guided tours.

Below the castle, you can decide between two suggested alternatives for the return to Mala Skala. The first, easy one, leads through the Drabovna rock town. The second, more difficult one, leads to the Na Kopanine viewpoint.

Walk to Drabovna along the red and blue trails down to the edge of the Frydstejn village. At the road fork, you can see several examples of preserved folk architecture. Follow the two trails along a small road to the Voderady village where you will continue along the red trail only. Behind the village the red trail turns right to the forest. Walk among rocks to the road fork with the blue trail. We recommend to walk till the remnants of a medieval castle in the middle of the Drabovna rock town. Remnants of a medieval settlement were found in the surrounding rock recesses.

When you have a look at the castle and rocks, return to the road fork near which there is a viewpoint to the Jizera valley. Descend to Mala Skala along the blue trail. Enter the village at the Kavka Hotel and cross the Jizera river along the road bridge. To return to the parking site, we recommend to walk along the second bank past the Boucek's Farm and the Yellow Swimming Pool, behind which you will again cross the Jizera, this time along the footbridge.

Ascend to Kopanina steeply up the blue trail following a skiing slope. The stone viewpoint Kopanina lies 658 m above the sea level and was built by a section of the Club of the Czech Tourists in Turnov in 1894. Especially in the afternoon, it offers one of the most beautiful views of the Bohemian Paradise, the Giant Mountains and the Jizerske Mountains. Continue from the viewpoint to Mala Skala along the green tourist trail. Cross the road at the Myslivna restaurant. Walk down through the forest and along a meadow to Bobov.

After a steep descent to Mala Skala you can visit a forest cemetery at the edge of the village where the writer Jarmila Glazarova is buried. The green trail will lead you back to the starting point of the trail to the road fork at the footbridge across the Jizera river.