Jezírko pod Táborem

Jezírko pod Táborem is a small, artificially dammed bog lake tucked into the southwestern slope of Mount Tábor (678 m), in the cadastral area of Chlum pod Táborem, just south of the town of Lomnice nad Popelkou in the Semily district. Sitting at roughly 500–502 meters above sea level and covering barely 0.15 hectares, it's the kind of spot easy to walk past without noticing — yet it rewards anyone hiking through the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) region with a quiet, almost secretive detour.

How did this lake come to be?

Unlike most natural lakes, this one is a human creation. It was built in the 19th century on the initiative of Prince Kamil Rohan, who had it constructed within what was then a deer hunting preserve on his estate. The dammed water originally served practical and sporting purposes tied to the Rohan family's land management, not conservation — that came much later.

Why is it protected today?

Since 1996, the lake and its immediate surroundings have held the status of a nature monument (přírodní památka), covering 0.29 hectares. The designation was driven by the presence of round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), a carnivorous plant typical of peat bog habitats. The sundew population here is considered one of the richest in the entire Bohemian Paradise region, making this modest pond a meaningful site for local plant conservation. In 2005, the lake underwent a revitalization project aimed at preserving the water conditions the bog vegetation depends on.

What's around the lake?

The pond is surrounded by mixed forest, home to a varied mix of tree species and forest floor plants. This habitat also supports notable bird life — black woodpeckers and collared flycatchers have been recorded in the area, both indicators of healthy forest ecology. The shaded, still atmosphere here is a deliberate contrast to the busier viewpoints near the summit of Tábor, offering a calmer pause away from the main trails.

How to get there

Jezírko pod Táborem lies along hiking routes leading up to Mount Tábor, accessible from the direction of Lomnice nad Popelkou. Given its small size and protected status, a visit is limited to walking along the shoreline — there's no tourist infrastructure such as boardwalks or observation platforms, which only reinforces the site's untouched, low-key character.

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Jezírko pod Táborem? No — the area is protected for its valuable bog vegetation, and swimming or other interference with the ecosystem goes against the site's conservation purpose.

What's the main natural attraction here? The round-leaved sundew, a carnivorous bog plant. The population found at Jezírko pod Táborem is among the richest in the Bohemian Paradise region.

When was the lake created? In the 19th century, on the initiative of Prince Kamil Rohan, as part of a hunting preserve on his estate.

Since when has the area been protected? Since 1996, as a nature monument covering 0.29 hectares.

Are there hiking trails nearby? Yes, the lake lies along a route leading up to the nearby summit of Tábor (678 m), a popular destination for hikers visiting the Lomnice nad Popelkou area.