Nové Město pod Smrkem: Mountain Views, Mining and Culture

Nové Město pod Smrkem combines impressive landscape experiences with an unusually rich local and industrial history. Here, you can combine far-reaching views across several mountain ranges with narrow mountain bike trails, a mining hike, a town museum and important cultural monuments. This makes the town particularly suitable for travellers who want not only to be active on holiday, but also to discover the history and distinctive character of a Czech town.

Panoramic views from Smrk and paths through the forest

The lookout tower on Smrk offers unusual panoramic views of the Krkonoše, Jizera and Lusatian Mountains, as well as far into Saxony and Poland. The lookout tower is freely accessible year-round. The view itself is the main attraction, without the visit being tied to a particular season.

The springs of Novoměstská kyselka offer a different landscape experience. They are located on the left bank of the Ztracený potok in a valley between Měděnec and Sviňský vrch.

Singltrek pod Smrkem for different riding preferences

Singltrek pod Smrkem is a network of narrow singletrack trails for mountain bikes that winds through wooded slopes. The trails are suitable for riders of all ability levels. This allows the active part of a stay to be planned in different ways: while experienced mountain bikers can explore the sequence of trails, the network is also a destination for people with less experience.

The Singltrek Centrum in Nové Město pod Smrkem is one of three starting points for the Singltrek pod Smrkem trail network. The non-profit organisation Singltrek pod Smrkem manages and maintains the network and provides information about possible closures and the current condition of the trails. Those planning a ride will therefore find not only an extensive range of trails there, but also information about the current condition of the paths.

Mining history as a hike and town theme

Nové Město pod Smrkem was founded in 1584 in connection with tin mining and the extraction of other non-ferrous metals in the surrounding area. This history is more than just a historical background. The Novoměstské dolování hike leads through extensive forests and birch groves and conveys the rich history of local mining. The Novoměstské dolování route starts and ends at Mírové náměstí in Nové Město pod Smrkem. It thus connects the starting and finishing point in the town with a landscape in which mining history becomes a vivid theme of the route.

Cultural monuments, a museum and Art Nouveau baths

The town museum of Nové Město pod Smrkem presents permanent exhibitions on nature, the sights of the Frýdlantský výběžek and the history of Nové Město pod Smrkem. The museum is located on the first floor of a building it shares with the town library. This allows natural and local history to be brought together at a specific cultural site during your visit.

Notable buildings include Klingerova vila. It is a protected cultural monument surrounded by an English garden. Also closely connected with local history, but to be regarded as a separate monument, is the Klinger Mausoleum. It was built in 1901 by the descendants of the founder of a textile company and declared a cultural monument in 1993. The restored interior of the Klinger Mausoleum can be visited by prior arrangement. The Catholic church in Nové Město pod Smrkem is also an important cultural monument.

Another historical facet is represented by the town’s protected Art Nouveau baths building. It has a swimming pool, a whirlpool and a sauna. The Art Nouveau baths building in Nové Město pod Smrkem underwent extensive renovation in 2005. This brings different aspects of the town’s history into view: mining, textile history, ecclesiastical architecture and bathing architecture.

Compare other destinations

If you would like to compare other destinations alongside Nové Město pod Smrkem, you can also find Černousy, Dětřichov, Fojtka, Bílá, Bílý Kostel Nad Nisou, Čtveřín, Letarovice and Lažany.

For the higher-level travel overview: Liberec District.