Cycling the Bohemian Paradise

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Day 1: Arrival in Jičín

If you arrive during the day, you will have time to explore the picturesque Renaissance town of Jičín, one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic and the gateway to Bohemian Paradise. Sightseeing opportunities include a chance to visit the Baroque chateau and museum and one of the most beautiful buildings in Jicin, the Hall of Three Emperors. There’s also a chance to explore the historical centre and Wallenstein square and take a walk to the Valdická Gate (a three-storey tower from the late Gothic period), which provides the backdrop for the classic silhouette of the town and excellent views of Jicin. Additional places of interest include the Church of St. James the Elder standing next to the Baroque chateau and Valdicka gate.

• Accommodation: Hotel reStart or similar

Day 2: Tour around Jičín | 37 km

Today is your first cycling day. After leaving Jičín, you will ascend to the Veliš volcanic hill with a chapel. You will ride around ponds, in the forest and through the countryside to another conical basalt peak with a chapel Zebín. Discover Wallenstein summer house (which is one of the most exciting landmarks of the Jičín region) and return to Jičín. Depending on your timing, you will have some time left to finish exploring the picturesque Renaissance town of Jičín, one of the prettiest towns in the Czech Republic and the gateway to Bohemian Paradise.

• Accommodation: Hotel reStart or similar
• Cycling for the day: 37 km, ↑600 m ↓600 m

Day 3: Jičín – Sobotka | 23 km

Your first stop today is in Prachovské skály rocks. The beginning of the sandstone formations dates back to the Mesozoic era when the whole territory was flooded. Millions of years later, the region was pushed up by the effects of tectonic powers, the flood shrank back, and the seabed split into separate blocks. After a brief walking tour, you will continue cycling through some old castle remains and authentic villages to Sobotka. You could visit Humprecht – Baroque hunters‘ chateau from the 17th century in this small old town.

• Accommodation: Hotel Pošta Sobotka or similar
• Cycling for the day: 23 km

Day 4: Tour around Sobotka | 26 km

Your first stop would be in an authentic village with timbered cottages. You will continue through a beautiful valley with streams, a pond and a pleasant path between the surrounding rocks. The valley is ending in front of the medieval Kost Castle, the best-preserved Gothic castle in Bohemia, built at the end of the 14th century on a sandstone rock formation. You can take a guided tour of the castle. The next site to visit is Valečov rock castle ruins from the 15th century. After a short cycling section, you will reach another rock castle with a great view. Your route is continuing by rural countryside. The route back to Sobotka is leading through a rock gate.

• Accommodation: Hotel Pošta Sobotka or similar
• Cycling for the day: 47 km, ↑610 m ↓610 m

Day 5: Sobotka to Hrubá Skála | 26 km

Today you are riding on a winding route through beautiful valleys with ponds and old stone bridges, entering Podtrosecké Údolí valley, where in the 16th-century locals built a system of ponds, preserved until the present day. Passing the valley, you will go up to Trosky castle, a symbol of the Bohemian Paradise. It was built in the 14th century between two volcanic rock massifs, with towers located on each hill. The higher tower is called The Maiden, and the lower and more robust is named The Old Woman. Thanks to its defensive stone wall and advantageous strategic position the castle stood well against all military attacks. Since the Thirty Years War the castle has become desolate. Finally, you ascend to your castle hotel in Hrubá Skála located on a rock cliff.

Depending on your arrival time, you can explore on foot a local rock town, consisting of about 400 sandstone towers, some of which are 60 meters high (380 meters above sea level). The trail leads you through the Mouse Hole rock passage and passes by the cave named Adam’s Bed. You will then reach a spectacular viewpoint called Mariánská vyhlídka which opens the most beautiful views of Bohemian Paradise.

• Accommodation: Hotel Hrubá Skála or similar
• Cycling for the day: 26 km, ↑420m ↓370m
• Optional walking route: 2 km on foot, 1 hour, ↑100m, ↓100m

Day 6: Hrubá Skála – Malá Skála | 33 km

Your cycling route starts around Hrubá Skála rock city. Soon you are riding down to Turnov (one of the two bigger towns in the region). Later you reach the Neo-Gothic castle Sychrov with an extensive collection of French portraits and English parks. After the tour, you would ride through the Czech countryside from village to village and come to Frydštejn castle. Now you have a short descent to Malá Skála, where your hotel is. If you are not too tired, you could walk up to another castle and enjoy the Jizera valley viewpoint.

• Accommodation: Hotel Skála or similar
• Cycling for the day: 33 km, ↑400 m, ↓500 m

Day 7: Malá Skála – Jičín | 40 km

From your hotel, you are cycling to Suché Skály (Dry Rocks) – a narrow rock massive from hard sandstone, lifted by the Alpine-Carpathian folding. You are riding to Rotštejn ruins, reaching your next stop, a less known lookout tower. The route is continuing around the highest peak in the region, through many villages to Jinolice ponds and finishing the fairy town of Jičín.

• Accommodation: Hotel reStart or similar
• Cycling for the day: 40 km, ↑670 m, ↓630 m

Day 8: Departure

Departure on your own after breakfast.

Click to view default hotels

• Hotel Jicin
• Park hotel Skalni Mesto
• Hotel Pošta
• Hotel Hruba Skala
• Hotel Skala

Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.