| Country: | Czech Republic |
| Region Type: | Regions |
| Region: | Liberec |
| Parent: | Western Sudetes |
| Geology: | Sediment, metamorphic rock, volcanic rock |
| Area Km2: | 209 |
| Highest: | Ještěd |
| Elevation M: | 1012 |
| Length Km: | 58 |
| Range Coordinates: | 50.6667°N 25°W |
The Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge (in Czech pronounced as /ˈjɛʃcɛt ˈkozaːkof/; Czech: 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.
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.[1] 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:
The ridge has a narrow elongated shape that extends from northwest to southeast. It is about 58km (36miles) long, and the width does not exceed 15km (09miles). The average altitude is 518.5 m.[2] 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.
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.[3]
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.
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.