The river Vltava is known as the “mother of all Bohemian rivers” and will guide you on your journey from the “Golden City of Prague” to the “Three-River city of Passau”. The Vltava winds through magnificent landscapes, beautiful small towns and past the proverbial ‘Bohemian villages’. Explore the still unspoiled, wild countryside surrounding the river Vltava. Your journey takes you uphill and downhill! Sometimes you may even have to stop and push the bike, wipe the sweat off your brow and pause for a drink. But all your efforts will be rewarded by the panoramic view, which is simply breath-taking. Enjoy the fascinating landscape and the “Bohemian way of life” by the Czech Republic´s most beautiful river.
Day 1: Arrival to Prague
Take the opportunity on your first day to discover the “Golden City of Prague”. The capital of the Czech Republic is famous for its music and the Middle Ages, Kafka and Kisch, beer and roast pork with dumplings. Stroll through the historical city centre, which has been a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1992. The well-preserved city, its historical buildings, the cobbled alleys of the old town, the great view from the Charles bridge and towering over the city, the impressive Prague castle, the pubs and cafés of Prague are all part of the experience.
Day 2: Prague – Sedlčany │ surrounding, approx. 65 km
Your first stage will take you through slightly hilly and varied terrain, through numerous, small, idyllic Bohemian villages. Admire the small houses with wood-panelled gables covered with dahlias, the herbs growing by the roadside, and take the opportunity to try the excellent Bohemian beer in one of the cosy taverns. The wild, untamed, rocky river valley will be behind as the Vltava ripples gently in the reservoir. The reservoir covers an area, depending on the level of the lake, of up to 5,000 hectares, and provides energy to cover peak demand, as well as being a recreation area.
You spend the night near Sedlčany.
Day 3: Sedlčany │ surrounding – Písek, approx. 70 km
Pass through small Bohemian villages, until you see the Vltava reservoir at Milesov. Continue through the dark green Bohemian Forest, guided by the Vltava, until you reach Orlik. High on a steep cliff, overlooking the Vltava, lies the mighty Gothic castle of Orlik. Owned by the Schwarzenberg dynasty, the castle characterised the lifestyle of the noble in the 19th century. A few kilometres further on lies the next attraction: Zvikov castle. The headland at the confluence of the Vltava and Otava rivers has attracted settlers since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages the castle was one of the most significant and impenetrable in Bohemia. The peace and quiet of the unspoilt landscape make the final kilometres to Pisek a pure pleasure. The picturesque small town nestles on the right bank of the Otava river. In ancient times, prospectors washed the sand (Czech - “pisek”) to find gold, hence the name of the town.
Day 4: Písek – Budweis, approx. 70 km
Today’s journey will take you through the fascinating cultural and unspoilt river landscape along the “gold” river Otava. An enchanting, quiet forest path leads you to castle Hluboka, set high on a hill overlooking the Vltava. Windsor castle served as a model for renovation work, as can be seen from the many turrets, the battlements and many other decorative elements. Continuing along the Vltava, will allow you to approach your destination, Budweis. This town is not only famous for its beer! The royal town, founded in the 13th century, has a population of 100,000 and is today the centre of southern Bohemia. The extensive main square with its Samson fountain is surrounded by pretty Gothic and Re-naissance arcade houses. To round off the day?! - a beer from one of the local taverns!
Day 5: Budweis – Krumau, approx. 30 km
The short stage planned gives you plenty of time for a morning walk around Budweis before you set off. You will be impressed by the remoteness and the prettiness of the villages on your journey. The Vltava, with its many canoeists, will guide you towards the medieval town of Český Krumlov, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1992 and the high point of your journey. For centuries this town has been known as the “Pearl of the Bohemian Forest”, not only because of its position, nestling in a meander of the Vltava, but also due to its 300+ historical buildings and impressive, large castle complex. The narrow alleys, the wooden balconies, the colourful houses give the town a Mediterranean flair in the summer months and the street cafes and beer gardens ensure a lively atmosphere.
Day 6: Krumau – Aigen, approx. 70 km
Take the opportunity to show off your sporting prowess with a few tough climbs in the Bohemian Forest, the “Green Roof of Europe”. Be rewarded by the stunning beauty of the scenery for your efforts! Enjoy the wonderful views, the clear air, the seemingly endless pine forests and above all the silence, so silent you can hear the whispering of the streams and the rustle of the leaves. With the Vltava on your left, you will arrive in the charming, small town of Rosenberg with its majestic fortress. For a while you will cycle along the Vltava, and a little later you will 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, then to be 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.
Day 7: Aigen – Passau, approx. 50-75 km
The final stage will take you through the picturesque Mühlviertel to the Danube. Your journey will combine 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 will lead you down to the Danube cycle path. The path meanders along the river valley with gentle ridges rising up on either side. Your journey will continue along through the Schlögener Schlinge (loop in the Danube) towards the final destination for the day, 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. 18 € per person including bike).
Day 8: Individual departure, transfer back by van, or prolongation in Passau
Unfortunately, today is the last day of your Vltava cycle tour. Your journey ends after a delicious breakfast
Although the tour is very demanding, you will be amply rewarded by a beautiful und changing landscape. Some steeper and longer rises are ideal for admiring the landscape while pushing the bike. You will be cycling mostly on quiet rural roads as well as service roads and forest tracks. A tour for the experienced cyclist.
Total cycling distance: 380 km
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Prague
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes may be subject to changes or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
We recommend flying to Prague airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Prague to Passau cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Not Included
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Men's Bike (Colour may vary)
Electric Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
For 2020, there is an additional bike rental option available for a supplement. The PLUS hybrid bike now available on most cycling holidays is sportier with higher quality brakes (Magura HS 11) and better specification gears (Shimano Deore XT). The riding position is designed to have a slightly sportier sitting posture and a high quality Suntour suspension fork gives smooth riding on most surfaces. All accessories are compatible with the new PLUS bike rental option.
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gears
7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season 1 | 02.04 – 15.04 | 01.10 – 08.10 | £715 | Daily |
Season 2 | 16.04 – 29.04 | 17.09 – 30.09 | £765 | Daily |
Season 3 | 30.04 – 16.09 | £800 | Daily |
Single Room Supplement | All | £325 | |
Half Board Supplement | All | £135 |
Bike Type | Price |
Rental Bike | £85 |
Premium Bike | £130 |
Electric Bike Upgrade | £190 |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Prague | £80 | £145 |
Passau | £65 | £110 |
Date From | Date To | Price |
02 April 2022 | 08 October 2022 | £0 |