Rašeliniště Jizery

Rašeliniště Jizery is a national nature reserve spread across the shallow valley of the upper Jizera River, within the municipality of Kořenov, right on the border with Poland, near the former mountain settlement of Jizerka. The area is regarded as the most valuable peatland site in the Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area, and it also forms the largest bog on Czech territory — with an even larger portion of the same bog system continuing across the border into Poland.

What does the reserve actually protect?

The protected area covers a complex of ecosystems that has remained almost untouched by human activity. It includes living raised bogs, extensive stands of dwarf mountain pine, waterlogged spruce forests, boggy meadows, and gravel-sandy sediments deposited by the meandering Jizera River. It's precisely this mix of habitats — from open bog surfaces to flooded forest — that gives the site such high ecological value.

How large is it and when was it established?

The reserve was declared in 1960 to protect this unique stretch of territory along the upper course of the Jizera River. Today it covers 484.73 hectares, making it one of the larger protected areas within the Jizerské hory range.

Can visitors walk through the bog freely?

No — under the rules governing national nature reserves, moving off the approved trails is prohibited here. A marked forest path connects the Jizerka settlement with the mountain enclave of Smědava, and there is also a dedicated educational trail featuring a wooden boardwalk. From the boardwalk, visitors can look out over the central part of the meadow, including its characteristic bog pools, without disturbing the fragile terrain.

Why is this reserve worth a visit?

Rašeliniště Jizery appeals to travelers looking for genuinely wild, minimally altered mountain scenery — a contrast to the more developed lookout points elsewhere in the Jizerské hory. Walking the educational boardwalk trail offers a close-up view of a peat bog ecosystem that has become increasingly rare across Central Europe, and the route requires no special hiking experience, making it accessible to most visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located? In the municipality of Kořenov, on the Czech-Polish border, in the valley of the upper Jizera River near the former Jizerka settlement.

How big is the protected area? 484.73 hectares on the Czech side of the border.

When was the reserve established? It was declared in 1960.

Can you walk freely across the bog? No — access is limited to marked trails and the educational boardwalk path.

What is the main subject of protection? A complex of living raised bogs, dwarf pine stands, waterlogged spruce forests, boggy meadows, and natural river sediments of the Jizera.