Kořenov is a tourist destination in the Jizera Mountains, near the border with Poland. There are numerous hiking trails in its vicinity, and several ski lifts in winter. An interesting fact about this area is a railway with a very steep slope, which uses a third rail and a rack mechanism on the climbs.
In its present shape, the village was founded in the 1960s by joining several nearby settlements. Currently, it is primarily a year-round tourist center focused on active recreation. In summer, there are numerous hiking trails. A popular destination for trips is incl. built in the mid-19th century. Štěpánka lookout tower. From it you can admire the panorama of the Jizera Mountains and the Karkonosze Mountains.
In winter, there are cross-country skiing trails in the surrounding mountains. They have a connection with the so-called Jizera Highway, one of the most famous cross-country skiing routes in the Polish-Czech border. There are also several ski lifts with slopes of varying difficulty.
In the 19th century, a railway was connected to Kořenov, which has to cover a short distance of over 230 m in height. For this reason, it is equipped with a third rail and a rack system to help the train overcome the steep slope. It is the only such railway section in the Czech Republic.
