Huge potholes and plunge pools, waterfalls and rapids define the Černá Desná Nature Monument. Dessendorf offers other themes too: Riedel history, a cultural heritage trail, skiing on natural snow and a cog railway line with a maximum gradient of 58 per mille. You can tailor your stay to what interests you most – from landforms to engineering and architectural history.

Water and woodland in the Černá Desná Nature Monument

The nature monument protects a valley with a mountain stream, a series of waterfalls, rapids, rock slabs and erosion features. These include the large potholes and plunge pools formed by the force of the water. The protected area also includes an adjoining hillside forest with the character of an acidophilous beech forest, where endangered herb species can be found. The natural setting therefore extends beyond the waterfalls: the forest and its plant life are also part of this landscape.

If you are interested in nature, Černá Desná offers several features to take in together: the flowing water, sculpted rocks and wooded hillside. This sets it apart from the architectural and family histories explored through other Dessendorf themes.

Riedel history at the villa and family crypt

The Riedelova vila houses a cultural and information centre, a library and a museum. Its permanent exhibitions cover regional history and the Riedel glassmaking family; historical documents and glass are also among the exhibition topics. The traditional Desná – dřevosochání motorovými pilami symposium, a chainsaw woodcarving symposium, is held every year on the villa grounds. Dates and programme may change. If the event is an important factor in your trip, check the latest dates and programme in advance.

The Riedelova hrobka reveals another side of Riedel history: the family crypt was built in 1889–1890 in the form of a chapel with a crypt. Its style is Neo-Romanesque Gothic. It stands on the boundary between Desná II, formerly Potočná, and Desná III, Dolní Polubný. While the villa explores family and regional history through exhibitions, the crypt’s construction date, function and architecture offer a distinct historical point of reference.

A cultural heritage trail

The 4 km Po stopách skláře Riedela circular trail passes cultural monuments and sights near the centre of Desná. It also takes in places that once belonged to the Riedel family. The trail thus links Riedel heritage with other sights; its length and focus give you a clear basis for deciding whether to take this excursion. Another historical stop is the surviving remains of the Protržená přehrada near Desná, which were declared a cultural monument in 1996.

Ski area and cog railway

The Černá Říčka ski area lies on the outskirts of Desná at an altitude of 685–788 m. Skiing there is on natural snow. If you have specific plans to ski, check the ski area’s latest information, as its features may change.

The Tanvald–Harrachov cog railway line begins at Desná – Riedelova vila station. Its maximum gradient is 58 per mille. This provides a specific point of interest for railway enthusiasts and complements the nature and cultural themes with a railway feature.

When looking for a hotel in Dessendorf, you can use your interests as a starting point: the trail is suited to travellers who want to combine Riedel heritage with cultural sights, while Černá Desná offers a landscape of water and woodland. The ski area and cog railway provide their own distinct experiences.

Discover more destinations: Jilau, Reichenau, Drschke, Zbirohy, Georgenthal, Josefsthal, Johannesberg I. Isergebirge, Lischnei.

See the broader travel overview: Okres Jablonec Nad Nisou.