As well as beautiful and clean nature, the Jizera Mountains can offer abundant active sports and recreational opportunities, including almost ideal conditions for some types of sports. In summer, the Jizera Mountains are a popular venue for hiking, swimming and cycling, while they are used for cross-country skiing in winter. The Jizera Mountain Cross-Country Skiing Network (Jizerská magistrála) includes more than 170 km of groomed cross-country skiing tracks which are popular with skiers. The network of tracks is not only accessible from the best-known skiing resort Bedřichov, which can be reached by ski-bus,but also from Smědava, Oldřichov v Hájích, Nové Město pod Smrkem, Desná, Horný Polubný or the Martin Valley in Kořenov. Thanks to international and inter-regional cooperation it is a simple matter to continue your trip on the Polish tracks or on the tracks in the bordering Giant Mountains. There are also several opportunities for downhill skiing or the increasingly popular snowboarding.

A dense network of marked tracks for hikers and cyclists is available in summer. There is also a cycle bus service.

Given the fact that the Jizera Mountains have a relatively high rainfall, there are a number of sports facilities and swimming pools which can be used when the weather is unpleasant. There is also something for lovers of adrenaline sports, fishing and horse riding.