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A new cycling path in the Liberec Region crosses the Jítrava Pass

Publikováno: 06. října. 2024, 7 min. čtení
Publikováno: 06. října. 2024, 7 min. čtení

A new path for pedestrians and cyclists has been opened in the Liberec Region, allowing users to avoid a busy first-class road. The description was sent to us by a reader of our magazine—thank you! We previously reported on the preparation of the path here [article in Czech – eds.].

The Jítrava Pass is probably the best place to cross the Ještěd Ridge between the Českolipsko region and the Jizera Mountains. Out of the three existing passes, it is the lowest, much less steep than the Křižany Pass, and not as out of the way as the Horní Pass. The only issue is the heavily trafficked main road to Liberec that runs through it. However, between Rynoltice and Jítrava, we can avoid it by taking a parallel service road, which connects to a recently completed asphalt cycling path around the bull pastures, leading all the way to the pass.

After a few meters of gravel, we end up here:

Until recently, the only usable option was to dash across the road (which, given its width, visibility conditions, and traffic density, was neither pleasant nor safe), then either take a detour through Chotyně or the hellishly steep shortcut via Dolní Suchá. But now we can continue, and we even have a choice:

The road continues for about a kilometer, more or less flat, with a wide shoulder, so it’s no problem to ride on. If you want to avoid traffic at all costs, you can continue on the parallel forest path:

In some places, it’s narrow, bumpy, steep, and full of stones, so be careful. Eventually, we’ll see a bridge, and after crossing it, we reach the main road (which by now is a four-lane road with guardrails in the middle, just missing the relevant highway signs). We cross to the other side and continue on what used to be a state road, now a luxury asphalt forest road:

At the top, you’ll need to navigate a bit between piles of gravel, wood, and drainage channels, but lower down, the road is clear. The asphalt is smooth, and the forest shade is a welcome relief, especially during the climb. Until recently, at the lower end of the road, your only choices were between a field and the main road, which here narrows to three lanes without a shoulder—both practically unusable. As of this year, we have a third option: a new cycling path all the way to Bílý Kostel:

The newly planted avenue of trees doesn’t provide much shade yet, but it will grow over time. The views are beautiful, and the hills manageable. At the lower end, the path leads onto the road:

The exit is probably the only downside from a user’s perspective: after the steepest hill, you have to almost come to a stop because, of course, the cycling path must give way to the road. Even to this road, which only connects to forest paths and has less traffic than the cycle path itself. As a result, the path couldn’t connect directly to the street to the northeast but had to veer off and end in a T-junction, making sure you really need to brake. And to make it even more interesting, the braking lane is painted red (judging by the number of black skid marks, its grip isn’t the best) and fitted with speed bumps (low but sharp-edged, unpleasant especially when braking). From a safety standpoint, I understand it wouldn’t be a great idea to let cyclists speed into a residential area at 40 km/h, but the T-junction alone would be enough for that—there was no need to add „safety“ features that actually complicate effective braking.

A few strategically placed yellow signs guide us through Bílý Kostel directly to the cycling path along the Nisa and Jeřice rivers to Chrastava, from where you can continue to Liberec or further into the mountains.

In the opposite direction, you can pedal up the new path or the old road without any problems. The trail from the bridge to the pasture is physically demanding; only the strongest will make it up the steepest section, and a heavily loaded bike might even be difficult to push (I don’t know, I didn’t try). The road is fine, with a wide shoulder and almost flat terrain, but be aware that the first safe place to exit is at the bottom of the hill near the gas station (I don’t consider crossing solid lines up top safe). On the downhill, you’ll pick up speed and then take the left turn lane into Jítrava. If that doesn’t work, you can continue all the way to Rynoltice, as the shoulder extends that far.

Here’s a map showing the current state of the entire project:

I look forward to the day when it will be possible to connect Rynoltice and Lvová. Some bypasses are being planned there, so eventually, a quiet route could lead all the way to Jablonné.

The new section of the Zdislava cycling path is a great benefit overall, especially for long-distance cyclists. Previously, we had to choose between extreme traffic, extreme hills, or an extreme detour; now we have a comfortable, safe, and direct route. Thanks for that, and keep it going!

You can view the 2018 map showing the preparation status of the entire cycling path here.

This is an adjusted machine translation using Automat’s CycleLingo Translator (ChatGPT) of this article: https://mestemnakole.cz/2024/09/cyklostezka-pres-jitravske-sedlo-v-libereckem-kraji/

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