From Prague to Passau

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, has a lot to offer: music and the middle ages, Kafka and Kisch, beer and dumplings with roast pork. Since 1992, the historical heart of Prague belongs to UNESCO world heritage sites. The well-preserved city centre, the historic architecture, the winded alleys of the old town, the splendid view that opens up from Charles’s Bridge and the Prague Fortress watching over everything. Strolling for hours in the alleys of Prague, looking at architecture, discovering new cafés and pubs – all belongs to a visit to Prague.

A slightly hilly and differentiated stage is waiting for you. You cycle past many small idyllically situated Bohemian villages. Small houses with wood-covered gables attract the admiration of by-passers. Cosy pubs invite for a refreshing Bohemian beer on the way. Only “recently” did the waves of the Vltava reservoir begin to ripple. Before, the Rocky River valley was wild and untamed. In the early 60s they began to build four valley blocks south of Prague. They dam up the Vltava into a few lakes. The tamed Vltava spreads up to 5.000 ha, depending on the water level in the reservoirs. The water plant covers energy peaks and extras. Accommodation in the surroundings of Sedlcary.

You cycle through small Bohemian villages until you reach the Vltava reservoir near Milesov. You continue through the deeply green Bohemian forest with the Vltava as your guideline to Orlik. The splendid Gothic fortress is situated here high above the Vltava on a steep rock. Furnished by the Schwarzenbergers, the fortress perfectly exemplifies the lifestyle of the aristocracy in the nineteenth century. Only a few kilometres away the next place of interest tempts the visitor: Fortress Zvikov. The beautiful promontory, where the Vltava and the Otava flow into one another, invited people to settle already in prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages the fortress was one of the most important ones in Bohemia. It was regarded as very difficult to capture. All on your own with the unspoilt Vltava landscape you will have no difficulties conquering the few remaining kilometres to Pisek. The picturesque town rest closely to the right bank of the river Otava. In prehistoric times people washed the “pisek” (sand) of the river Otava searching for gold; that is where the town’s name came from.

Enjoy the fascinating antique cultural water landscape along the “golden” Otava today. A beautiful quiet forest path takes you to the castle Hluboká, enthroned on a hill above the Vltava. It could just as well have been standing in England; Princess Eleonore von Schwarzberg was very gushing. The guiding example for the renovation of the castle in neo-Gothic style was Windsor with its many towers, merlons and playful details. Continuing along the Vltava you are approaching today’s destination: Budejovice. This city is not only a worthwhile experience because of its world-famous “Budweiser beer”. The royal city that was founded in the thirteenth century is with its 100.000 inhabitants the centre of South Bohemia today. The big market square (133 m x 133 m) with its Samson Fountain fascinates even today. Beautiful arcade houses from the Gothic and Renaissance periods add up to the dignified whole. You can quench your thirst after a city tour in one of the former ‘masne kramy’.

Use the opportunity of a short bike leg today and take a walk through Budejovice before noon. Afterwards, seclusion and small pretty farmsteads become the focus of attention. Numerous canoeists splash about on the Vltava which takes you to the medieval Krumlov (UNESCO world heritage site since 1992), an absolute highlight of your bike tour. For centuries, this small town has been regarded as the “Pearl of the Bohemian Forest” – and that not only because of its unique location in a Vltava-loop. The ensemble of 300 historic houses with the castle and fortress complex impresses every visitor from the start. The intertwined alleys, the wooden balconies, the white or colourfully painted houses have a Mediterranean flair about them in the summer months. The street cafés and the beer gardens breathe every day new pulsating life into the town.

Today is the opportunity to show off your sporting prowess with a few tough climbs in the Bohemian Forest, the “Green Roof of Europe”, but the stunning beauty of the scenery will reward you for your efforts! Enjoy the wonderful views, the clear air, the seemingly endless pine forests and above all the silence, so silent you can clearly hear the whispering of the streams and the rustling of the leaves. With the Vltava on your left you come to the charming, small town of Rosenberg with its majestic fortress. For a while you cycle along the Vltava, and a little later you reach the Lipno reservoir, one of the largest fishing areas in the Czech Republic. The route leads you through the delightful countryside of the Bohemian Forest to the Schwarzenberg canal. In the 19th century, the 52 km long canal (known as the 8th wonder of the world) was used to transport enormous quantities of wood to the Danube, to be then transported to Vienna and used for fuel. A short distance later you leave the Czech Republic and pass into Austria, to spend the night in the romantic Mühlviertel.

Today’s final stage takes you through the picturesque Mühlviertel to the Danube. Your journey combines silence, wooded countryside and rolling hills, panoramic views - on a clear day it seems as if you can reach out and touch the Alps - a multiplicity of impressions! An adventurous winding journey through the Mühltal takes you down to the Danube cycle path. The path meanders along the river valley, gentle ridges rising up on either side. Your journey continues along through the Schlögener Schlinge (loop in the Danube; ferry costs approx. € 5,- per person) towards the final destination for today’s stage, the “Three-River City” Passau. This imposing city, located between the three rivers, Inn, Danube and Ilz, is also the final highlight of your cycle trip. Take the opportunity to wander round the old town and visit one of the traditional coffee houses. The final 25 km can also be done by boat from Engelhartszell to Passau (approx. € 19,- per person including bike).