The Jizera Mountains are one of the oldest nature conservation areas belonging to two large systems: the Giant Mountain-Jeseník Plate and the Czech Plate. This is the northernmost mountain range in the Czech Republic and it spreads between the Giant Mountains and the Lusatian Mountains. The average altitude of the peaks in the mountain range is between 800 and 900 meters above sea level. The Jizera Mountains extend into Poland in the northeast where the highest peak in the range (Wysoka kopa: 1126 meters above the sea level) is located. The whole range was named after the Jizera River which rises at the foot of the highest peak on the Czech side of the range (Smrk: 1124 metres above sea level). The mountains have a relatively harsh climate characterized by considerable rainfall due to the air circulation between the North and the Baltic Seas. The mountains have the character of a highland plateau whose appearance has been supplemented with boulders and cliff turrets. The air is full of the smell of the mountain meadows and peat bogs which have arisen thanks to the extremely wet climate. For this reason, a system of dams was built there in the twentieth century. The mountains are also home to the Jizerka settlement, the northernmost permanently inhabited area in the Czech Republic which has been declared an unusual protected territory: the Jizerka Dark Sky Area.

These mountains also include the rare feature of thirteen lookout towers, the last of which was built in September 2009. The Jizera Mountains are a significant recreational area in the Czech Republic. They provide excellent conditions for hiking and cycling. This area is covered by a dense network of cycle trails, including the Odra-Nisa trail. During the winter months, the mountains become a popular venue for skiers, especially cross-country skiers. The most significant facility is the Jizera Mountain Cross-Counting Skiing Network (Jizerská magistrála) which accounts for more than 170 km of groomed skiing tracks. The mountains are also the venue for the famous “Jizera 50” ski race.

The mountains also include downhill skiing resorts which are frequently visited by both Czech and foreign skiers. The Jizera Mountains are easily accessible by car, train and bus (it is also possible to use the ski bus or the cycle bus in the season). Some of the resorts are also linked to Jablonec nad Nisou by public transport.