Bozkov: Palacký Trail

The Kamenice River is the biggest right-hand tributary of the Jizera. It flows from the reservoirs in Josefův Důl, carrying water from the Jizera Mountains into the Jizera River. During the spring thaws it is a popular spot for rafting.

The deeply-cut river valley is ideal for hiking. The red markers of the Palacký Trail lead from the confluence with the Jizera and continue below the ruined castle of Návarov as far as Tanvald. It links the Pojizeří region with the Giant Mountains and the Jizera Mountains. The railway line from Železný Brod to Tanvald runs along the opposite bank of the river.

The Palacký Trail was opened in 1912 and was connected to the network of trails running through the Giant Mountains. It was built by the branches of the Czech Tourist Club from Semily, Železný Brod and Velké Hamry. The section of the Palacký Trail to Železný Brod disappeared in 1937, when it was covered over by the Spálov–Podbozkov road.

In Podspálov, a major crossroads for hiking trails, the Palacký Trail connects to the more well-known Rieger Trail at the confluence of the Jizera and Kamenice rivers. Nearby the Kamenice is joined on the left-hand side by the Vošmenda stream, which rises by Vysoké nad Jizerou, along the course of which lies the “Vošmenda Valley” protected nature reserve.

The Palacký Trail passes Bozkov Dolomite Caves and runs right below the ruins of the castle of Návarov, founded in the second half of the 14th century above the confluence of the river Kamenice and the Zlatoolešnický stream.