From Prague to Passau

A slightly hilly and varied day's stage awaits you, which takes you past numerous small, idyllic Bohemian villages. Small houses with wooden gables, where dahlias compete with the herbs on the side of the road to bloom, inevitably attract attention. Cozy pubs along the way invite you to enjoy a refreshing Bohemian beer. The waves of the Vltava reservoir have only recently begun to ripple; before that, the rocky river valley was wild and untamed. The tamed Vltava expands to up to 5.000 hectares, depending on the dam height. The dam is designed to cover energy peaks and for relaxation. Overnight stay in the Sedlčany area.

Overnight place: Sedlčany/surroundings

With the Vltava as your guide, you will pass through small Bohemian villages and the deep green Bohemian forest. You will soon reach Zvíkov Castle. The magnificent headland at the confluence of the Vltava and Otava was already a popular place for settlement in prehistoric times due to its location. In the Middle Ages, the castle was one of the most important and hardest to conquer castles in Bohemia. With just itself and the pristine Vltava landscape, the remaining kilometers to Písek are a piece of cake. The picturesque little town nestles closely on the right bank of the Otava River. In ancient times, people washed the "písek" (sand) of the Otava River here to find gold; hence the name of the town.

Overnight place: sand

Magnificent and pristine landscapes lead you to Hluboká Castle, which stands on a hill high above the Vltava. Windsor Castle, with its many turrets, battlements and playful details, served as the model for the reconstruction in the neo-Gothic style. Along the Vltava you approach your destination for the day, Budweis. This city is an experience not only because of its world-famous "Budweiser beer". The royal city, which was founded in the 13th century, is now the center of South Bohemia with 100.000 inhabitants. The spacious market square with the Samson fountain is still fascinating. Pretty arcaded houses from the Gothic and Renaissance periods provide a dignified setting. The best way to quench your thirst for beer after a tour of the city is in one of the former meat stalls.

Overnight place: České Budějovice

Use the slightly shorter stage for a (further) "morning" walk through Budweis before you set off. The isolation and the small, pretty farming villages are the focus today. The Vltava, on which numerous canoeists cavort, is the direction on your way to medieval Český Krumlov (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992), an absolute highlight of your cycling trip. For centuries, the small town has been known as the "Pearl of the Bohemian Forest" - and not just because of its unique location in a loop of the Vltava. The ensemble of 300 historic houses with the palace and castle complex impresses every visitor immediately. The winding alleys, the wooden balconies, the white or colorfully whitewashed houses create a Mediterranean flair in the warm season. The street cafés and beer gardens breathe vibrant life into the town every day.

Overnight place: Krumlov

Today it's going to be sporty! The Green Roof of Europe, the Bohemian Forest, provides some "tough" climbs, but the paradisiacal beauty of the landscape makes up for the effort. You enjoy the wide views, the wonderfully pure air, the seemingly endlessly deep coniferous forests... and silence lies over everything - silence that lets the whispering of the streams and the rustling of the forest become audible. With the Vltava on the left, you head to the interesting town of Rosenberg with its impressive castle complex. First you cycle along the Vltava, which a little later dams up to form the Lipno reservoir, one of the largest fishing areas in the Czech Republic. A wonderful path takes you through the magnificent Šumava landscape to the Schwarzenberg Canal. A little later it's time to say goodbye to the Czech Republic, as you cross the border to Austria to spend the night in the romantic Mühlviertel.

Overnight place: Aige/surroundings

The final stage takes you through the picturesque Mühlviertel to the Danube. Quiet and varied forest areas contrast with gently rolling hills. Magnificent panoramic views - on fine days the Alps are within reach - give you a variety of insights and views. You cycle through the adventurous Mühltal to the Danube cycle path, and take the ferry (approx. € 5 per person, not included) to the southern bank. Deeply embedded in the valley, lined with gentle ridges, the Danube cycle path meanders through the valley. Following the Danube cycle path through the magnificent Schlögener loop, you approach your stage destination, the "city of three rivers" Passau. The baroque city with its impressive location between the Danube, Inn and Ilz is the final highlight of your cycle tour. You should definitely not miss a tour of the beautiful old town of Passau and a final coffee in one of the traditional coffee houses. The last 20 km can optionally be covered with a boat trip from Kasten to Passau (approx. € 19 per person including bike).

Overnight place: Passau

Departure on your own, return transfer or extension.