The Pearls of the Izera Mountains

The Izera Mountains are a part of the Western Sudetes and are situated on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. Their highest peak is Wysoka Kopa, which measures 1127m. The most popular cities situated in these mountains are Świeradów-Zdrój, Szklarska Poręba, Jakuszyce in Poland and Nové Město pod Smrkem, Frýdlant, Liberec in the Czech Republic. The Izera Mountains are rich in mineral resources (e.g. quartz, cobalt) and mineral water. The Izera Meadow (known also as the Izera Mountain Pasture) is known as the Polish cold pole. The Izera Mountains are a quite popular touristic destination both in winter (for downhill skiing and cross-country skiing lovers) and in summer (cycling and hiking fans and people who want to have some rest or visit a health resort).

source: wikipedia.org

These mountains contain some interesting nature reserves. The Peat Bog of the Izera Valley Nature Reserve is one of those. The peat bogs are generally quite common in the Izera Mountains, however, those located in the Izera Valley are one of the biggest and are known as the most beautiful and valuable ones, with the deepest layers dating 11 thousand years. Their total area covers around 575 ha. Biologically the peat bogs of the Izera Valley are very similar to the ones encountered in Scandinavia, which makes them even more peculiar.

The landscape is breath-taking, with all the unique and wild fauna and flora, as well as a picturesquely meandering the Izera River and the mountains emerging on the horizon.

One can encounter a diversity of species like the dwarf mountain pine, sundew, woodgrouse and, found very rarely, white-tailed eagle here. Also, nearby, one of very few lodges in the area, Chatka Górzystów, a very popular hiking stop is located there. That is probably why this area is such a popular touristic destination.

Also the black grouse, an endangered birds species, lives within the area of the Peat Bog of the Izera Valley Nature Reserve. In order to raise awareness of its problems, one of the touristic and cross-country skiing trails was named after it. It was created under the supervision of the forestry commision in order not to violate the natural habitats and reserves. It is very picturesque and runs through the most important and beautiful areas of the Izera Mountains. It stretches from Stóg Izerski (one of the peaks of the Izera Mountains, located near Świeradów-Zdrój) through the Izera Valley, the Izera Meadow and the Izera Clearing to Jakuszyce (here it ends near the trail of the famous Bieg Piastów cross-country skiing festival). Moreover, it is possible to travel through it in two ways: via a more flat trail or a more diverse trail, and both have around 19km. On a map both possibilities are marked with the black grouse’s footmark – the more flat trail is marked with the white colour, while the more diverse one is marked with the light blue colour.

source: goryizerskie.pl

It’s primary purpose is winter cross-country skiing, however, in summer it is also used as a hiking trail.

It provides unforgettable experiences throughout the whole year. It is also a great educational site which proves that human beings and nature can coexist close to one another.

Probably the most interesting attraction, is the Izera Dark-Sky Park. It was also created on the border of Poland and the Czech Republic and is the first transborder dark-sky park in the world. 

It came into existence on 4^th November 2009 as a part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 activities. It covers the area of Izera and Jizerka valleys and has the total area of ca. 75 square kilometres.

 source: izera-darksky.eu

Organisations from the Czech Republic and Poland collaborated (and still collaborate) to establish the Izera Dark-Sky Park. From the Polish side it were: Astronomical Institute of the University of Wrocław, Polish State Forests, Forestry Commission Świeradów and Polish State Forests, Forestry Commission Szklarska Poręba. From the Czech side: Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Protected Landscape Area Jizerské hory and Liberec Regional Directorate of the Czech Republic Forests.

On the Polish side, the Izera Dark-Sky Park is also a part of the astro-touristic project Astro Izery. It has two main functions: educational (teaching about the light pollution and giving the opportunity to see a clear, starry sky, normally inaccessible to people living in the cities) and nature conservation (conservation of the natural dark sky, as well as the peat bogs on which the park was created).

source: YouTube/ the University of Wrocław

It is visited by quite many tourists, as there are various events organised for adults and children in order to popularise the conservation of dark sky, e.g. on the Saint Anne’s Day in July when, among others, the telescopes are prepared for solar observations. However, what is important, the park is available all year round for everyone.

Visit also: http://www.izera-darksky.eu/index-en.html

Marta Bielak