Quarré

Quarré is a small but ecologically significant nature monument sitting atop Plochý Hill (939 m) in the Jizera Mountains, within the cadastral area of Bílý Potok pod Smrkem. The site lies inside the Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area and has held official protected status since 1 January 2008.

What makes this bog special?

The site protects a summit-type raised bog with distinctive vegetation, including several rare and endangered plant species. What sets Quarré apart from most other bogs in the Jizera Mountains is the way it receives its water. Most surrounding wetlands formed in depressions or at the base of slopes and are fed by groundwater. Quarré, by contrast, sits right at the top of a hill and is fed exclusively by precipitation — rain and snow. This type of bog, known as ombrotrophic, is unusual in the local geology and is what gives the site its scientific value.

What plants grow here?

The nutrient-poor, permanently waterlogged peat supports species adapted to harsh growing conditions. Round-leaved sundew, a small carnivorous plant that traps and digests insects to compensate for the lack of available nitrogen, can be found here. Marsh Labrador tea, known for its strong, distinctive scent, also grows on the site, alongside sedges and peat mosses that form the physical structure of the bog itself.

Why is it worth a visit?

Quarré is not a mass-tourism destination — it's a quiet, compact stop for visitors interested in the natural history of the Jizera Mountains and curious to see a summit raised bog up close. Because the ecosystem is fragile, visitors are advised to stick to marked paths rather than walking across the bog surface, in order to avoid damaging the delicate vegetation and the peat structure, which took thousands of years to form.

Where exactly is it located?

The protected area lies in the northwestern part of the Central Jizera ridge, right at the summit of Plochý Hill, next to the village of Bílý Potok pod Smrkem. Its location makes it easy to combine a visit to Quarré with a longer hike through the wider Jizera Mountains, a region well known for its many peat bogs, viewpoints and marked trails.

Frequently asked questions

What is Quarré? It's a nature monument protecting a summit raised bog atop Plochý Hill in the Jizera Mountains, established in 2008.

Why is this particular bog unusual? Unlike most bogs in the region, it is fed exclusively by rainwater and snowmelt rather than groundwater.

What plant species can be seen here? Notably round-leaved sundew, marsh Labrador tea, and peat mosses typical of wetland habitats.

Can visitors walk freely across the whole area? No — because the habitat is protected, visitors should keep to the marked paths and avoid stepping onto the bog surface itself.

Where is Quarré located? On the summit of Plochý Hill (939 m) within the cadastral territory of Bílý Potok pod Smrkem, inside the Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area.