Explore the south-western Bohemia on your bike and see some of the top Šumava attractions

For your enjoyment, we have prepared a biking holiday which will show you round the most interesting landmarks in the foothills of Šumava. A dense network of sign-posted cycling routes will take you from one attractive place to another throughout the charming countryside of the Šumava Mountains. Šumava is beautiful all year round. Whether you decide to come in spring, summer or autumn, you shall not regret. You can start your biking trips in the conveniently situated HolidayPark Mlázovy – a recently renovated pension with attractive leisure facilities. It caters for all your needs and provides excellent relaxation after your day trip.

The HolidayPark offers a good-quality mountain bike hire and bike servicing. Cycling holiday is available from May to September when most popular sights are open to visitors.
Below are some of the highlights to ease your trip planning:

Saturday:        your arrival and check-in

Sunday:           Mlázovy – Velhartice – Mlázovy (approximately 26 km)
The Gothic Castle of Velhartice was founded at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. It features an imposing stone bridge linking the castle to the adjoining donjon. The bridge is unique in Czech as well as European castle architecture. Adjacent to the castle there is a Renessaince Country Chateau with an exposition of life of the gentry in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Monday:         Mlázovy – the Šumava National Park – Mlázovy (the number of kilometres depends on the route you choose)
The Šumava National Park is truly abundant in natural beauties and charming sceneries. You may well spend there weeks and still, there would be plenty to explore. In order to give you a taste of Šumava, we recommend you take a biking trip to this most extensive forest area in central Europe. You may like to see clear glacier lakes including the Blake Lake, the largest glacier lake in the Czech Republic, rolling hills or wild streams and rivers with their boulders. The look out towers scattered throughout the park will offer your splendid views. A visit to these “green lungs of Europe” could well be a highlight of your entire holiday.

Tuesday:          Mlázovy – Sušice – Mlázovy (approximately 26 km)
The royal town of Sušice has been rightly nicknamed for the Gateway to the Šumava Mountains. You will find there historical houses built in Gothic, Renassaince and Baroque styles. To get a delightful view of the whole town, climb up the Stráž hill topped with the Chapel of Angel the Guard whose history dates back to 1682. Sušice was world famous for its match making industries, oldest in the Czech Republic. Visit the Museum of Šumava with its exposition of match making and glass making industries and find out more or learn more about the hard life in the Šumava of the past.

Wednesday:    Mlázovy – Rabí – Mlázovy (approximately  km)
The Rabí Castle, the most extensive castle ruins in Bohemia, is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The castle was founded in the 13th century and expanded in the centuries to come. It was originally meant to guard the rich goldpanning region along the Otava River and in the 15th century, it ranked among the best strongholds in Bohemia. A guided tour of the castle will take you down to the deep cellars and up to the stone donjon with fine views of the surrounding area.

Thursday:        Mlázovy – Klatovy – Mlázovy (approximately 35 km)
The city of Klatovy has a lot to excite you. You can climb 226 steps up the Black Tower, built in the 16th century, to reach the look out gallery. Mysterious underground spaces under the Jesuit church from the 16th century shelter thirty naturally conserved mummies of the members of the Jesuit order and prominent people of the town who lived in Klatovy in the 17th and 18th centuries. Another noteworthy building is the Baroque Pharmacy “At the White Unicorn” which houses a display on the development of pharmacy from 1776 till 1966 when the pharmacy closed down.

Friday:            Mlázovy – Klenová – Mlázovy (approximately 47 km)
These romantic castle ruins from the 13th century along with the pseudogothic chateau form quite an extensive urbanistic complex. Well worth seeing are the historic interiors and castle fortifications with bastions. From there, you may enjoy remarkable views of the distant peaks of the central Šumava. And if you are into visual art, do not forget to visit the art gallery featuring fine works of notable Czech and foreign artists.

Saturday:        check-out and departure

It was not easy to highlight so few landmarks around the Šumava foothills as the architectural jewels are plentiful here. However, if your affinity is more for nature or for family fun trips, we have prepared other, equally enjoyable activities for you. We wish you many rewarding trips around the top Šumava attractions!