New Feature

Lesopark na Stráži: New Viewpoint Above Rokytnice

On the Stráž hill above Rokytnice, a scenic forest park called Hlídka na Stráži was built in 2021, featuring four designer viewpoints named after characters from the town's coat of arms. It's a perfect trip for families with small children who aren't quite ready for the Krkonoše ridges yet.

6. 10. 2026 · Apartmány Ilona

👁️ What You'll Find at Hlídka na Stráži

In 2021, an impressive scenic forest park called Hlídka na Stráži was built on the hilltop, replacing the original plans for a tall observation tower.

The viewpoints themselves represent characters from the coat of arms of the town of Rokytnice nad Jizerou – the Fox (Liška), the Bear (Medvěd), the Sheep (Ovce), and the Miner (Horník). These lightweight structures made of wood and steel bring visitors not only the perspective of distant mountain ridges, but also the intimacy of the forest environment. Each viewpoint has its own characteristic shape and a different view – from some you'll see Rokytnice, from others the main Krkonoše ridge with the dominant Lysá hora and Kotel.

The most photogenic is the Liška viewpoint. The fox's tail juts out into the valley and is a grateful spot for Instagram fans. The Horník viewpoint is the most challenging to climb, but the view is worth it. There are also rest areas with benches where you can peacefully enjoy the panorama of the western Krkonoše.

🚗 How to Get There

By car, you can drive to the paid parking lot at Hotel Stráž (approach from Rokytnice via Sachrův hřeben) – from there it's less than a kilometer to the viewpoints. Or you can park for free on Sachrův hřeben (there's no officially marked parking lot there), from where it's about 1.5 km to the viewpoints. The location is also suitable for families with smaller children or for moments when you only feel like a short walk with a nice view.

The most beautiful route is on foot. The loveliest path leads from Rokytnice's town square along the yellow and then red marked trail. You can combine the trip with the educational trail Okolo Rokytnice – the entire route measures 11 km and offers twelve stops with information about the town's history and surrounding nature.

From Apartmány Ilona in the direction of Dolní Rokytnice, it's about 4 kilometers on foot to Stráž. If you go by car, you'll park at Hotel Stráž and with children just walk the viewpoint circuit.

🥾 Other Short Walks in the Area

At Huťský vodopád, water falls from a height of 20 meters and the waterfall is fed by Huťský potok, which springs below chata Dvoračky. It's one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Krkonoše and you can walk to it from Rokytnice on foot following the blue trail.

Pašerácká stezka is suitable for hikers and families with children, who will enjoy interactive educational panels. The trail length is 1.3 km and has a total of 4 stops where tourists can learn about the history of smuggling in the Krkonoše. The trail starts above Dolní náměstí.

Stezka Dřevosochaní takes you from Rokytnice nad Jizerou to the picturesque village of Františkov. The easy route measures 1.1 km. You'll be accompanied by wooden sculptures and at 4 information boards you'll learn more about their creation. At the end of the trail stands Starý kravín – a museum and gallery with an exhibition about life in the Podkrkonoší region.

Huťský vodopád – 20-meter high cascading waterfall on Huťský potok
Pašerácká stezka – 1.3 km with interactive panels about smuggling history
Stezka Dřevosochaní – 1.1 km among wooden sculptures to Františkov
Five Rokytnice chapels – a walk through town to historic chapels

☀️ When to Go and What to Bring

You can visit Hlídka na Stráži any time of year, even in winter. In summer and autumn the surroundings have more charm – the forest smells wonderful and the views are clear. Spring is especially nice after the thaw, when Huťský vodopád has plenty of water.

The viewpoints are short wooden structures with ladders or inclined platforms, so you won't get up there with a stroller, but small children who are already walking will manage without problems. Hiking shoes are sufficient, the path isn't rocky or demanding.

From some viewpoints you'll see all of Rokytnice, Lysá hora, Kotel, Studenov and part of the Jizerské hory. If you enjoy photography, go in the afternoon – the light on the ridge is most beautiful then. And definitely bring drinks – the benches here are nice, but you won't find any buffet.

🏔️ Who Is the Forest Park Ideal For

Hlídka na Stráži is a great choice for families with children from three years old who can already manage a short walk through the forest and climbing a ladder. It's not a ridge hike and you don't have to deal with demanding climbing – yet the view experience is similar.

It's also suitable as a relaxing trip when you were at Dvoračky or Lysá hora the day before and don't want to go uphill again. Seniors who drive up by car will appreciate that they don't have to walk far and the views are within reach.

From Apartmány Ilona it's close – you can go for an afternoon walk after lunch, bike ride, or make a longer circuit on the educational trail Okolo Rokytnice. Children appreciate that they can climb the wooden structures and that each viewpoint looks different.

🏠 Your Trip Starts With Us

Apartmány Ilona is located in Horní Rokytnice, just a short distance from the ski slopes and at the same time within walking distance to the main tourist destinations in the area. The forest park Hlídka na Stráži is about four kilometers away on foot, a few minutes by car.

In the garden we have a large trampoline, a children's playhouse with slide and sandbox, so children can enjoy movement even after returning from a trip. In summer there's a swimming pool and a covered terrace with a garden fireplace – ideal for relaxing after a full day of wandering through the Krkonoše.

Each apartment has its own kitchen, so you can prepare snacks for the road or a warm dinner after returning. Parking at the house is free and we're happy to advise you where to go based on the weather, fitness level and age of children.

What guests ask most often

Can you drive to Stráž by car?

Yes, to the paid parking lot at Hotel Stráž (approach from Rokytnice to Sachrův hřeben, then continue straight – on your left you'll have the composting facility, at the crossroads keep right, after about 2.5 km you'll reach Hotel Stráž). From there it's less than 1 km to the viewpoints. Or you can park on Sachrův hřeben. From there it's 1.5 km to the viewpoints, about 30 minutes on foot – even smaller children can manage it.

Is the forest park suitable for small children?

Yes, it's an easy walk with a short climb. The viewpoints have ladders or inclined platforms, which children enjoy. You can't get to the viewpoints with a stroller, but you can manage the walking path with an all-terrain stroller.

What views will you see from the forest park?

From the viewpoints you can see Rokytnice nad Jizerou, Lysá hora, Kotel, Studenov, Paseky nad Jizerou and part of the Jizerské hory.

How much time does visiting the forest park take?

The viewpoint circuit itself takes about an hour to an hour and a half, with children and rest breaks on the benches count more like two hours.