Velký a Malý Písečák

Velký and Malý Písečák are a pair of flooded former sand and gravel pits on the right bank of the Jizera river, in the municipality of Příšovice in the Liberec district, at the edge of the Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj) region. The two neighboring lakes emerged where sand and gravel were extracted for decades, and once quarrying stopped, the pits gradually filled with water seeping in from the nearby Jizera.

How did the Písečák lakes form?

Sand and gravel mining at the site ran from the 1950s to the 1990s. After extraction ended, the pits slowly flooded with water infiltrating from the Jizera riverbed running alongside them. This created two separate bodies of water, now known as Velký Písečák (the larger one) and Malý Písečák (the smaller one), which over time developed into a popular recreational area along the river.

How big are the two lakes?

The larger lake, Velký Písečák, covers an area of about 28.1 hectares. The smaller one, Malý Písečák, covers roughly 12.6 hectares and is notable for a small island in the middle of the lake. Both lakes lie close together on the same side of the Jizera and together form a single recreational area for the municipality of Příšovice.

What can visitors do at the Písečáks?

Velký Písečák has been used for recreation since the 1970s — swimming, sport fishing, and windsurfing, which peaked here at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. Today, the larger lake permits sailing with small non-motorized craft and electric-powered boats. On Malý Písečák, sailing and surfing are prohibited, which keeps it a quieter, more secluded spot than its larger neighbor.

Are there any restrictions at the site?

In July 2008, a management order was introduced for the Velký and Malý Písečák recreational area. It followed the designation of an ecological biocorridor along the Jizera and a third-degree water source protection zone in the area. Visitors should keep these restrictions in mind, especially outside the designated bathing areas and boat-launching spots.

How to get to the Písečáks?

The lakes lie right next to the municipality of Příšovice, an easily reachable spot for both walkers and cyclists — hiking trails and cycling routes along the Jizera, including the Greenway Jizera route, pass through the area. It makes a convenient base for exploring Bohemian Paradise and the area around Turnov, combining time by the water with activity on the trails.

Frequently asked questions

What are Velký and Malý Písečák? They are two neighboring lakes formed in flooded former sand and gravel pits in the municipality of Příšovice, along the Jizera river.

How large are the lakes? Velký Písečák covers about 28.1 hectares, while Malý Písečák, with its island, covers about 12.6 hectares.

Can you swim or do water sports there? Velký Písečák allows swimming, fishing, and sailing with non-motorized or electric-powered boats. On Malý Písečák, sailing and surfing are banned.

When did the lakes form? The pits were mined from the 1950s to the 1990s, then gradually flooded with water from the Jizera.

Are there any nature-protection restrictions? Yes — since 2008 a management order has been in place due to an ecological biocorridor and a third-degree water source protection zone along the Jizera.