The rolling landscape of the Budějovice Basin is perfect for cycling and bike trips, but there are also routes where you will have to climb many a hill. Whether you're heading out with the kids, putting in the miles, or you're a relaxed rider on an e-bike, the Budweis region offers plenty of ways to have fun in the saddle. We've prepared a CYKLO guide with 3 routes of varying difficulty so you can easily plan a half-day trip or an entire cycling holiday. All this with the attractive nature of South Bohemia, historical monuments and many popular places you will come across along the way. Helmets on, pedals in!
The cycling guide is available online at Mapy.cz HERE and for print download HERE.
The cycle route around Lišov is ideal for mountain bikes with an elevation gain of 230 m. The route starts at the Coop car park in Lišov and goes through Hůrky, where you join the 1106 cycle route. You continue past the picturesque Dvořiště pond to Horní Slověnice, then to Dunajovice. From there, the route leads through the forest to Horní Miletín and then to Zvíkov. You will return to Lišov by a comfortable route, with beautiful views of the South Bohemian countryside.
Interesting places on the route
Church of St. Wenceslas Lišov - New Romanesque church from 1862-1865, built on the site of an older building, from which it retained the tower. It was consecrated in 1864 and a year later it was enriched with an organ made by František Svítil. The church is open all year round, free of charge.
František Miroslav Čapek Museum - The museum is located in the Schwarzenberg Hospital building and bears the name of local native František Miroslav Čapek. The exhibition presents traditional Lysov crafts such as carpentry, shoemaking, rope making, carpentry and others, supplemented by historical documents and objects.
Dvořiště Pond - With an area of 387 ha, it is the third largest pond in the Třeboň region and the fourth largest in South Bohemia. The pond was created in 1367 by damming the Miletínský brook and expanded into its present form by Jakub Krčín in 1580. The pond is used for fish breeding and recreation. On the south side you will find a campsite with a sandy beach, ideal for summer relaxation.
Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Štěpánovice - An early Gothic church from the 13th century with a rectangular presbytery and anterooms. It is surrounded by a cemetery with an enclosure wall and a mortuary. The church is an important landmark of the village and a protected monument.
Zvíkov Fortress - 15 km from Třeboň is a late Gothic fortress from around 1500. It has a rectangular ground plan and was originally two-storeyed. The fortress was converted into a granary and is not open to the public. It is one of the few preserved buildings of this type in Bohemia, with a memorial stone above the entrance.
The route leads from Hluboká nad Vltavou to Týn nad Vltavou along the Vltava River on the Vltava Cycle Route and offers beautiful views of nature. Right at the start you can visit the castle and harbour in Hluboká nad Vltavou. From there, the route continues on flat terrain to the Hněvkovice dam and mill, where you can expect a few gentle climbs. The last section from Hněvkovice to Týn nad Vltavou is again flat. The route is well signposted and partly asphalted, suitable for cyclists of average fitness.
Interests on the route
Hluboká Castle - The dominant white castle above the town offers tours of the richly decorated interiors and accessible gardens. The royal Windsor Castle was the inspiration for its rebuilding. The castle is easily accessible on foot or by tourist train.
Sport and relaxation area Hluboká nad Vltavou - One of the largest leisure areas in the Czech Republic, ideal for the whole family. It offers attractions such as a rope park, mini golf, giant trampolines, a wooden castle, volleyball courts and sports equipment rental. There is also a sandy beach and a pier by the river.
Baba Lookout - A popular natural lookout over the Vltava River, ideal for watching sunrise and sunset. It is situated on a rock at an altitude of 449 m above sea level, where the remains of an ancient fortress are located. The viewpoint is accessible all year round along the red tourist trail.
Karlův Hrádek - A picturesque ruin of a Gothic hunting castle above the left bank of the Vltava River, founded by Charles IV in 1357. The castle served as the administrative centre of the royal territory and a place for hunting events. It is open all year round and admission is free.
Voral Museum in Purkarc - The Vltava Voyage Hall offers a collection of period objects and informative panels about the Vltava voyage societies. The museum documents the work and life of rafters and shifters in the Vltava basin and also provides information about hydroelectric power plants and other technical projects on the Vltava.
Museum Mill Hněvkovice - The museum offers a view of the last mill on the Vltava, standing directly in the river. The listed building with its equipment, turbine and weir presents the history of milling, electricity production and local crafts.
Týn nad Vltavou - Historical centre of voyaging with monuments such as the Church of St.
Semenec Lookout Tower - One of the smallest lookout towers offers a view of the Vltava River, the Temelín Nuclear Power Plant and the surrounding countryside from a height of 4 metres. The lookout tower was built in the 1930s, and there is another lookout tower nearby.
Natural History Museum Semenec - The interactive museum in Týn nad Vltavou is an ideal destination for families with children, who can discover nature and perform various tasks. There are exhibitions of native and non-native plants, a collection of rocks and fossils, a water playground, a palaeo-landscape, a barefoot trail and other interactive elements.
The confluence of the Vltava and Lužnice rivers - The confluence is marked by the St. John of Nepomuk, built at the end of the 18th century as a protection against floods. On the right bank is the protected area of the Lužnice Nature Monument. On the opposite bank lies the village of Neznašov with historical monuments and a nature trail.
The Holašovice route starts in the UNESCO World Heritage village of Holašovice and is an ideal choice for lovers of cycling and beautiful nature. From Holašovice you will take the cycle route 1196 in the direction of Chmelná. This route will take you to the beautiful surroundings of the Blanský Forest. Along the way you will come across a spring where you can refresh yourself or refill your water. At the Bohouškovická hunting lodge you will go to the ruins of the Church of St. Vitus and then on to the small village of Habří. From there, the route continues through Kvítkovice and Čakovice to Jankovice, known for its well-preserved rural-Baroque buildings and the Chapel of St. Vitus. The whole circuit will lead you back to beautiful Holašovice and you will have a great ride through the South Bohemian countryside. Thanks to the slight elevation gain, the route is easy to manage, so it is ideal for families with children or less experienced cyclists.
Interesting features on the route
Holašovice - Vesnice Monument Reserve and a unique example of the 19th century rural baroque. The original wooden buildings have been converted into brick houses with ornate gables, making Holašovice a unique European rural complex.
Holašovice Stonehange - This is a megalithic circle of granite stones created in 2008. It is located near Holašovice and is said to have strong energy powers. The circle is made up of 23 stones from the local area and is considered to be a place suitable for meditation.
The ruins of St. Vitus Church - About 1 km from Habří is the ruins of a church built in 1644 at a pilgrimage site with a miraculous well. The church was destroyed during the reign of Joseph II and today only a torso of the wall with three windows remains.
Chapel of St. Vitus Jankov - The rural-baroque chapel from 1882 is interesting for its location on a slightly sloping village square, where it forms the central element of the village. The chapel has not only historical but also aesthetic value thanks to its decorated gable with a year and a stucco cross.
Several short and safe cycling routes to enjoy with children. A family bike trip that will keep you entertained and still leave you with energy for the next adventure.
Electric bikes have become an essential part of cycling. If you are not a complete athlete, you can easily manage a day trip on them without much effort. For active cyclists, they open up more distant destinations and long routes in the saddle. Whether you're coming to Budweis with your own e-bike or want to rent one locally, you'll find this complete list of rental and charging locations useful.
Budějovicko is intertwined with a network of cycling routes, but also cycling paths. You can plan your cycling trip with a thematic focus and go to film locations, monuments, or the landscape of marshes and ponds. Along the Vltava River runs the EuroVelo 7 long-distance route, also called the Central European or Sun Route. It starts in the Arctic Circle and ends in the Mediterranean, but here in Budejovice you can discover the Hluboká Castle, the historic centre of České Budějovice or the town of Týn nad Vltavou.
Inline skating is an increasingly popular sport that attracts people of all ages due to its fun and simplicity. It's a great way to enjoy moving in the fresh air while exploring new places. The Budějovicko tourist area offers several great trails that are ideal for inline skating. Among the most popular are the cycle paths along the Vltava River, which connect České Budějovice with Hluboka nad Vltavou or the route leading from České Budějovice to Boršov nad Vltavou. These trails have a quality surface and flat terrain, which is ideal for comfortable and safe skating.
