Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge
{{Short description|Mountain range in the Czech Republic}}
{{Infobox mountain
|map_image=Jestedsko-kozakovsky hrbet CZ I4A-3.png
|map_caption=Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge in the geomorphological system of the Czech Republic
|photo=Ještěd , letecký pohled.jpg
|photo_caption=Aerial view of Ještěd
|country=Czech Republic
|region_type=Regions
|region=Liberec
|parent= Western Sudetes
|geology=Sediment, metamorphic rock, volcanic rock
|period=
|area_km2=209
|orogeny=
|highest=Ještěd
|elevation_m=1012
|coordinates =
|length_km=58
|range_coordinates = {{coord|50|40|N|15|10|E|region:CZ_type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}
The Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge ({{IPA|cs|ˈjɛʃcɛt ˈkozaːkof}}; {{langx|cs|Ještědsko-kozákovský hřbet}}) is a ridge and geomorphological mesoregion of the Czech Republic. It is part of the Western Sudetes. The vast majority lies in the Liberec Region.
Geomorphology
Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge is a mesoregion of the Western Sudetes, which is part of the Sudetes within the Bohemian Massif. It is a distinctive horst and anticline ridge. It is further subdivided into the microregions of Ještěd Ridge and Kozákov Ridge.{{cite web |title=Geomorfologické celky a pocelky|url=https://www.treking.cz/regiony/geomorfologicke-cleneni-ceske-republiky.htm|publisher=Treking.cz|language=cs|access-date=2022-06-27}} Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge is named after the two highest and most dominant mountains of its two parts, Ještěd in the northwest part and Kozákov in the southeast.
Ještěd is the highest peak of the ridge and the only peak above 1,000 m. The highest peaks of the ridge are:
- Ještěd, {{convert|1012|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Černý vrch, {{convert|950|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Hlubocký hřeben, {{convert|850|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Černá hora, {{convert|811|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Vápenný, {{convert|790|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Rozsocha, {{convert|767|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Malý Ještěd, {{convert|754|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Dlouhá hora, {{convert|748|m|ft|abbr=on}}
- Kozákov, {{convert|744|m|ft|abbr=on}}
Geography
The ridge has a narrow elongated shape that extends from northwest to southeast. It is about {{convert|58|km|abbr=on}} long, and the width does not exceed {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}}. The average altitude is 518.5 m.{{cite book |last1=Demek|first1=Jaromír|last2=Mackovčin|first2=Peter|title=Zeměpisný lexikon ČR: Hory a nížiny|publisher=Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic|pages=582|year=2006|isbn=80-86064-99-9}} In the northwest it starts with the hill Ostrý vrch (511 m). The elevation of the hills gradually increases above 800 metres and culminates with Ještěd. The ridge is intersected by the deep valleys of the Mohelka and Jizera rivers.
The largest settlements whose territories extend into the ridge are Liberec, Semily, Chrastava and Lomnice nad Popelkou.
Geology
The range mostly consists of various quartzites, though some parts are formed from sandstone.
The Kozákov mountain is known for the finds of olivines and gemstones.{{cite web |title=Vrch Kozákov v Českém ráji – v létě i v zimě aktivně i za poznáním|url=https://www.kudyznudy.cz/aktivity/na-kozakov-aktivne-i-za-poznanim|publisher=CzechTourism|language=cs|access-date=2023-09-08}}
Nature
Almost the entire Ještěd Ridge is covered by forest up to the valley of Mohelka. The other part is a mosaic consisting of forests, meadows and fields. Most notable are beech forests, often protected as nature reserves. The central part of the ridge (including the Kozákov mountain) intersects the Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area. The northernmost tip of the ridge with the Ostrý vrch hill is protected as a part of the Lusatian Mountains Protected Landscape Area. In addition to several small-scale protected areas, the Ještěd and Maloskalsko nature parks have been created.
Tourism
The terrain is suitable for hiking and cycling. Winter sports are limited by there being only intermittent snow. The most popular area for both downhill and cross-country skiing is centered on Ještěd.
Gallery
Ještěd a Jelínka z Hlavice.jpg|Ještěd and Černý vrch
Ještědka a Černý vrch, z Ještědu.jpg|View from Ještěd towards Černý vrch and Hlubocký hřeben
Kozakov pohled z klokocskeho pruchodu.jpg|View towards Kozákov
Malá Skála, Jizera River.jpg|Jizera River in Malá Skála
{{wide image|Kozakov.jpg|700px|Panorama view from Kozákov}}
References
{{commons category|Ještědsko-kozákovský hřbet|Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Jested-Kozakov Ridge}}