A vacation spent in the saddle of a bicycle can turn into a nightmare or, conversely, into the most beautiful experience, one that will remain deeply etched in your memory for a lifetime. It depends on many factors—primarily on how you approach it, how you prepare for it, and with whom you spend your week in nature.
The foundation is a sturdy mountain or touring bike with aluminum rims, preferably with a duralumin frame, drum brakes, a brand-name front derailleur and rear derailleur, a cassette with at least five gears, and properly adjusted so it won’t let you down along the way. You’ll fit it with a rack and panniers, which you’ll fill with a tent, sleeping bags, functional clothing, spare shoes, and essential food for the trip. Of course, don’t forget to pack tools, documents, money, a cell phone, a map, and other necessary small items.
Where to go
There are several thousand bike paths in our country. They are well-marked, and you practically don’t even need a GPS—it’s more for orientation, to see how many miles are left to your destination. The real challenge is choosing a route that’s engaging, challenging enough for your fitness level, and allows you to buy at least basic groceries along the way or grab lunch at a restaurant. To start, you can try the Lipno and Vltava route. It’s suitable for families with children, will definitely captivate you with its natural beauty, and even beginners can handle it.
First, take the train to the village of Stožec. From there, join one of the marked paths leading to the Schwarzenberg Canal. The journey continues to the hamlet of Jelení, where you can book accommodation in a guesthouse in advance, or continue on to Nová Pec. From Nová Pec, it’s worth heading along the right bank of Lake Lipno—this is an area that was once hidden behind the Iron Curtain during the socialist era and was inaccessible to the public. The natural scenery here is well-preserved, and you will undoubtedly pass grazing cattle on the spacious Šumava meadows. You will pass Dolní Zvonková, Soví vrch, and Frydava, and admire the beautiful views of the Lipno reservoir.
The week-long hike can be divided into six sections with camping or lodging in Nová Pec, Přední Výtoň, Vyšší Brod, Rožmberk nad Vltavou, and Český Krumlov; you can continue on to Zlatá Koruna, Třísov, or Holubov. Most of these locations are situated along the train line, making it easy to travel home from there or return to retrieve your parked car.
