Our starting point is Jiřetín pod Jedlovou. Here, from the crossroad sign forČSAD náměstí (bus station at the town square) we will follow the green sign for 0.5 km, pass through the entire village and begin a steep uphill climb /3-4/ to Křížová hora (Cross Mountain). This border region with its dense forests has been inhabited since the 14th and 15th century. At that time, Jiří (George) Schleinitz, the former owner the Tolštejn estate, built a mining town here called Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (lead, copper, silver and tin mining). Today, we can admire the well-preserved medieval mines (360 m long gallery/tunnel of Jan the Evangelist) that are open to the general public. However, the village is mostly known as a recreational area. Since 1992, the village was declared as a historical preservation zone together with its most valuable site, the Church of the Holy Trinity and with multi-storey buildings decorated with stone portals.
Cross Mountain is dominated by the originally reconstructed wooden Chapel of the Crucifixion with a high tower, from which the mountain got its new name and became a popular tourist/pilgrimage site. The hill terrace, formerly known as Holá lada, was already known during medieval times thanks to the discovery of iron ore (the remnants of iron ore mines are currently inaccessible). We will take a steep climb towards the chapel and around the Way of the Cross consisting of 11 niche chapels with stone reliefs built in Rococo style. From the top you will have a nice view of Jiřetín. When we pass Cross Mountain we will continue to follow the green sign for about 1 km, and across the meadow offering views of the Tolštejn Castle ruins and the top of Jedlová with its viewing tower. From the ski slope we will begin with a steep climb /3/ along the ski slope while following the red sign all the way to the top of the peak of Jedlová (774 m).
A restaurant on the top of the third highest mountain of the Lužické Mountains was reconstructed between 1987 and 1992 and is now open to the public. We may also enjoy views from the 23 m high reconstructed stone tower, built in 1891 (cover charge 10 CZK). If the weather is good, the tower offers distant panoramic views of the landscape. You may see for example Bezděz, Ralsko, Ještěd, Luž, Milešovka, the peaks of the Elbe sandstones with Děčínský Sněžník and many other sights. According to historical data the Emperor Joseph II - an enlightened successor to the throne of Maria Theresa, visited the top of Jedlová in 1779. Between the pub and the viewing tower we may notice the statue of Friedrich Schiller with boulders brought here from 19 surrounding towns and villages.
We will walk down on the other side of the peak /2-3/ and follow the red sign until we reach the crossroad sign for U Ranče (Near Ranch). The stylish timber ranch is located only a few metres from the crossroad sign. To get there take a left turn and follow the green sign towards Jiřetín. But we shall continue to follow the red sign for 1 km towards the Tolštejn Castle turn.
The extensive ruins of Tolštejn Castle date back to the 13th century. The castle was built to protect the so called Prague Road connecting Bohemia with Lužnice. The castle used to stand on the borderline, where interests of the upper Lužnice cities clashed with the interests of the powerful Czech clans. The castle also played an important role in the efforts of the aristocracy, who did not want to obey and succumb to the powers of the King of Jiří z Poděbrad (George of Poděbrady). After the Thirty Years War the castle was burned down and destroyed and remained in ruins until 1866 when the new castle restaurant was built here. The rocks on the top (remnants of the original upper castle section) are accessible via a metal staircase with a bridge and offer excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
From Tolštejn Castle we will go back (a moderate descent /2/) on a road that will take us through the village of Rozhled (View) and back to Jiřetín pod Jedlovou. On our way back we will see several stops marked with the flag of theTolštejn estate, where you can have your roaming passport stamped with the "original roaming" stamps or you may purchase medieval glass coins.
Total length 9.4 km.
