Doubice
The picturesque village located on the border of Bohemian Switzerland and the Lusatian Mountains consists of two parts – Stará and Nová Doubice, which are connected by buildings with numerous folk buildings. The village also included the now-defunct settlement of Zadní Doubice, which was located in the valley of the Křinice River. Today, 108 inhabitants live here, compared to 1,300 in the mid-19th century.
The first mention of the village of Doubice dates back to 1552, but the beginnings of settlement are associated with the findings of the remains of glassworks, which may date back to the beginning of the 15th century, making it the oldest in Bohemia. Later, as in the entire Šluknov Spit, textile production dominated here, as did the professions of spinners, weavers and bleachers. The most important textile merchant in the first half of the 19th century was Josef Lumpe, the flourishing of textile production peaked at that time. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (1811 – 1814) also dates from that time. The owners of the surrounding estates were the Vchynští family (later the form “Kinští”). In the 19th century, the Kinsky family was responsible for the creation of many hunting and tourist trails in the rocks and lookouts. Most of them have survived to this day.
The surroundings of Doubice offer countless walks into the beautiful forests of the Lusatian Mountains Protected Landscape Area and the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The carpet of forests and rocks stretches west of the village for tens of kilometers across the border with Germany to the Elbe River and offers one of the most naturally valuable areas in Central Europe.
What you should see
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – a classicist church built in 1811–1814. It is a three-nave church with a rectangular sacristy on the north side.
Spravedlnost (533 m) – basalt hill 1 km SE from the village. View of the panorama of the Lusatian Mountains. From the upper edge of the meadows on the western slope you will see Bohemian Switzerland with Růžák and Děčínský Sněžník, Rudolf’s Stone, Tanečnica and Vlčí hora like no other place in the immediate vicinity.
Karlova výšina (586 m) – a viewpoint also called Hraběnčin skok on Široký vrch east of the village, in the forests of the Lusatian Mountains. The most beautiful view of Doubice, located in the middle of the forests, and of the rugged landscape of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland.
Vápenka and Maškův vrch (548 m) – on the Kögler nature trail Vápenka is known for the occurrence of Jurassic limestone – the largest (!) area in Bohemia – on the so-called Lusatian fault. Maškův vrch is formed by Rumbur granite. The Lusatian fault is a line about 110 km long (Kozákov – Dresden), originating from the Tertiary period, when the Lusatian, mainly granite massif, pushed onto the southern Cretaceous sandstones – older rocks were raised to the surface on the fault line.
Old thatched cottages in the village – they are among the gems of folk architecture in northern Bohemia, you can find them in all directions.
Narrow stairs – romantic rock passages with reconstructed ladders on the way to Tokáň, about 4 km southwest of the village.
Kyjovské údolí – about 3 km NW – the canyon of the Křinice river crosses into Germany. Kyjovská rock trail, Klenotnice formation, Cave of Fairies (overhang where ice stalactites form in late winter), cycle route to Bad Schandau.
Chapel of the Holy Trinity – a small brick chapel with an almost square ground plan was built around the 18th century by the Simchen family from No. 13 (now No. 199). In the chapel in the middle of the fields, people asked for blessings for the harvest. The roof was originally covered with shingles. Inside, a painting with the motif of the Holy Trinity hung. The feast of the Holy Trinity falls on the first Sunday after Whitsun, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter. The complete reconstruction of the chapel was carried out in 2000 and 2009 by the Municipality of Doubice.
You know that…
…during the tourist season, an ecological tourist bus runs through Doubice to Kyjov, Jetřichovice and Hřensko, allowing you to comfortably visit all the most beautiful places in Bohemian Switzerland.
What you should experience
Mushroom picking in the surrounding forests, especially in late summer and autumn, the area is renowned for its abundance of mushrooms.
A horseback ride from one of the nearby stables (in Studánka or in the Na Stodolci guesthouse in Chřibská) along the newly marked horse trails between Kyjov, Tokání, Jetřichovice and Chřibská.
Boat trip in the Křinice Canyon (Obere Schleuse on the German side), one of the most beautiful places in Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland.
Excellent cuisine in the Stará hospoda guesthouse or at Matyáš’s.
Where to go for culture
Concerts and entertainment events in the Fabrika guesthouse area, a rich program throughout the year: www.fabrika.doubice.cz
Cultural and social events at the JEF Hotel.
Visit the House of Bohemian Switzerland in Krásná Lípa (5 km), open all year round, interactive exhibition, the largest information center in the area.
Where to go for sport
Tennis courts: 100m from the guesthouse at the Stará hospoda, artificial surface, possibility of volleyball and football, price 100 CZK/hour, must be reserved at the pub with the staff, www.starahospoda.cz.
Spinning: at the JEF hotel, approx. 300m from the guesthouse, with instructors Mrs. Jašíčková and Mr. Hegenbarth, information at the hotel reception.
Horses: horse riding training. Information from the trainer Mrs. Šponarová on tel. +420 737 333 916.
Cycling: Marked routes in the Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Parks, in the Lusatian Mountains, possibility of renting bikes in most guesthouses.
Skiing: Horní Podluží (approx. 5km) – 400m long ski slope, artificial snow, possibility of night skiing with artificial lighting. Mostly little natural snow.
Jiřetín pod Jedlovou ski resort (approx. 8km) – 2 ski lifts (1200m + 800m), further groomed cross-country trails approx. 5km.
Where to go on a trip
Doubice – Úzké schody – Tokáň – Jetřichovické skály – Jetřichovice
One of the most beautiful paths in Bohemian Switzerland. From the crossroads at the Stará hospoda on the yellow. Past the U Matyáše guesthouse into the forests to the Úzké schody rock passages. Refreshments available at the Na Tokání log cabins (former hunting lodge). Further over the rock lookouts Rudolfův kámen or Vilemínina stěna and Mariinu skála (named after members of the Kinsky family – mid-19th century) to Jetřichovice. Back in season by tourist bus. 12 km, challenging.
Doubice – Spravedlnost – Chřibská – Vápenka – Doubice
A trip along the yellow route over the lookout hill of Spravedlnosti and meadows to a town with stilt houses, the Tadeáš Haenke Museum and the Church of St. George. By bus to Rybniště. Along the red route over Karlova výšina to Vápenka, along the green route to the stops of the Kögler trail and to the upper edge of Doubice. Around the JEF hotel back to the village. 11 km, comfortable terrain.
Doubice – Kyjovské údolí – Vlčí hora – Zahrady – Krásná Lípa
Along the green path to the Kyjov Valley, through the canyon to Kyjov, along the Kögler Trail to the settlement of Vlčí Hora and to the hill of the same name with a lookout tower, through the Gardens with a well-known geological map (only Sun – Thu from the end of May to September) to Krásná Lípa (House of Bohemian Switzerland, sports area). Return by tourist bus. 17 km, normal tourist terrain.
Variant: From Kyjov directly on the yellow trail to Krásná Lípa, on the Kögler trail through the city park on Vápenka and on the green trail to Doubice – 18 km.
Long-distance tours
Zadní Doubice – Hinterhermsdorf – Weifberg – Mikulášovice Vlčí deska – Niedermühle – Obere Schleuse – bývalé Zadní Jetřichovice, odtud Mezní Louka nebo Vysoká Lípa Tokáň – Rynartice – Studený – Studenec – Líska – Jehla – Česká Kamenice
Kyjovské údolí – Turistický most – Brtníky Cyklotrasy Doubice – Kyjov – Kyjovské údolí – Hinterhermsdorf – Zadní Jetřichovice – Česká cesta – Na Tokání – Doubice (29 km)
Accommodation/food
Hotel JEF, tel: +420 412 381 429
Penzion Doubické chalupy, tel: +420 739 452, 172
Penzion Stará hospoda, tel: +420 412 381 432
Penzion U Matyáše, tel: +420 731 587 013
Chata Hubertus, tel: +420 412 381 410
Chata Chřástalka, tel: +420 412 381 528
Klub Fabrika s ubytováním, tel: +420 736 536 773