Best of South Bohemia

• 8-day / 7-night
• Self-guided or guided bicycle trip
• Distance: 309 km (193 miles) or 331 km (208 miles)
• Difficulty: Easy - Moderate

A great way to experience our part of the world to its fullest! Visit the most beautiful historic and natural monuments, and float down the most charming section of the Vltava river on a raft. The route begins in historic Třeboň with its thousand lakes, continues through Blanský Forest to Český Krumlov, the pearl of South Bohemia (UNESCO), and for three days continues along the Vltava River and Lake Lipno to the Šumava National Park. This route is ideal for those seeking out history, natural beauty, and a slower pace of life.

Day 1: Tabor – Cervena Lhota – Jindřichův Hradec
(48 km / 30 miles - profile od this day)

In the morning we pick you up at your hotel in Prague (or Vienna or Linz) and take you to historic Tábor, known as the center of the Hussite movement. Continue on your bicycle through gently rolling countryside with pine groves and picturesque lakes. Halfway through the trip we discover one of the pearls of South Bohemia, the romantic chateau of Červená Lhota, built on a tiny island in the middle of a lake. In the evening we arrive to Jindřichův Hradec, a historic town with its own dominant castle.

Day 2: Jindřichův Hradec – Třeboň
(44 km / 28 miles - profile od this day)

Today we ride through a countryside of lakes and pine groves. This landscape is full of romantic little nooks, meadows surrounded by forests, and a sandy-bottomed swimming hole. In the afternoon we ride to Třeboň, the center of Czech fishing as well as a town rich in Renaissance architecture with its own castle.

Day 3: : Třeboň – Český Krumlov
(53 km / 33 miles - profile od this day) or (75 km / 47 miles - profie od this day)

The third day of cycling leads through the flat Třeboň lowlands amidst its largest lakes to Ševětín. The path then connects to Hluboká nad Vltavou, home of the Czech Republic's most beautiful castle. Overnight in Hluboká. Pass through the gentle landscape around lakes to Holašovice, a village recognized by UNESCO for its well-preserved rustic Baroque architecture. Continue through the Blanský Forest Protected Landscape Area, past the Dívčí Kámen castle ruins, past Zlatá Koruna to Český Krumlov. Another variation of this route leads to Český Krumlov through Kleť, the tallest mountain of Blanský Forest, offering a possible view to the Austrian Alps from its lookout tower. Český Krumlov (UNESCO) is one of the best preserved historic villages in Bohemia with a number of historic and cultural monuments, winding streets, locally renowned restaurants, and a rich cultural life. Night tour with guide, overnight in Český Krumlov.

Day 4: Český Krumlov – Vyšší Brod – Rožmberk
(32 km / 20 miles by bike and 10 km / 6 miles by boat - profile od this day)

Ride your bike through the hilly landscape upstream along the Vltava River to Rožmberk with its Medieval castle, across Šibenice Hill to Vyšší Brod. After a tour of the local Cistercian Monastery and short refreshments, exchange your bicycle for a raft and float the most beautiful section of the Vltava back to Rožmberk. From here we transport you by minibus back to Český Krumlov, where you spend another night to enjoy its mystical atmosphere.

Day 5: Vyšší Brod – Nová Pec
(55 km / 34 miles - profile od this day)

First we take you via minibus to Vyšší Brod, where you can then choose between two routes with varying difficulties. The lighter route takes you through the Vltava River valley, through the Devil´s Wall Nature Park with its impressive rock cliff formations, to Frymburk on the shores of Lake Lipno. You then ferry across Lipno, ride along the lake's left bank, and end up in Nová Pec, one of the centers of the Šumava National Park. The second route is more difficult, leading you through hilly terrain around the peat moss bogs to the top of St. Tomáš, where a broad view of the Lake Lipno region and northern Austria awaits you at the top of the hill. Enjoy the downhill ride and past the lake to Nová Pec. Both routes offer splendid opportunities for swimming. Overnight in Nová Pec.

Day 6: Nová Pec – Schwarzenberg Canal – Horní Planá
(43 km / 27 miles - profile od this day)

You can tailor this day to your own preferences. The route leads along the Schwarzenberg Canal, a technical monument to lumber transport, and you can decide for yourself how long you wish to walk it. The ideal path is partly by foot to Lake Plešné, then through Stožec, Černý Kříž and Nová Pec to Horní Planá, a center of activities for Lake Lipno. Overnight in Horní Planá.

Day 7: Horní Planá – Český Krumlov
(34 km / 21 miles - profile od this day)

Today we say Na shledanou to the virgin landscape of Šumava. Cross the restricted MTA Boletice, stop off at the newly reconstructed church of St. Mikuláš, and continue to Český Krumlov, where you spend the last night of your trip.