Cycling in undiscovered places in the Český Krumlov Region

Český Krumlov (start)

later, in Linecká Street or Za Tavírnou Street. At the very beginning you will have a long climb up the slope of Křížová hora (the Mount of the Cross) towards Slupenec (known in Český Krumlov as the horse-riding club area). Follow the cycling route from Slupenec to Spolí and Práčov. A little further on, near the village of Všeměry, a hairpin bend winds down to the River Vltava, but you will continue to the village of Zátoň. Town Hall on Svornosti Square

Zátoň

In the picturesque village of Zátoň, one of the oldest in the Český Krumlov region, situated on both banks of the River Vltava (owing to a former ford on the Linz trade route), a monastery of the Benedictines of Ostrov u Davle operated until 1491. The dominant feature of the village is the Church of St. John the Baptist, located on the remains of the former Romanesque chapel. The building of the former school and rectory was converted into the (renowned) four-star Sporthotel Zátoň. There is no ford in Zátoň any more, but there is a modern bridge that you can cross to the left bank of the Vltava and turn left on road 160. Fortunately, the stretch along this relatively busy road is only short (about 200 m) and you will soon turn right and go upstream along the Strážný brook and follow cycle route 1245 up to the settlement of Suš and then to Světlík. Here you will have already done more than half of the route.

Světlík

Světlík was sacked and burnt by the Hussites in 1423, but worse times befell it in the second half of the 20th century, when it was basically isolated from the world. This is no longer the case; the picturesque and friendly village is almost a hub of many cycling routes, and so especially in the summer season it is very lively. On the village square you can see a stone fountain that was supposedly hidden underground for 80 years, but today water is flowing in it again. Head north from Světlík, but soon make a slight right turn off the trail onto a forest path that will lead you to the extensive ruins of the Pasovary fortress.

Pasovary a Slavkov

The Gothic fortress of Pasovary dates back to the second half of the 13th century and was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the second half of the 16th century and later in Baroque style. It has been abandoned since the end of World War II. One of the cellars is currently managed by the association 'Z Pasovar', running a small museum where you can learn more about Pasovary.

Once you have seen the ruins, get back on the road and you can head for another fortress, this time in the village of Slavkov. It is in a much better condition, but unfortunately is inaccessible. The massive Slavkov lime tree, under monumental protection, will provide pleasure for your eyes and cooling shade on the village square. The fortress and extinct village of Pasovary

Větřní

There are 10 km to go, but the village of Větřní is still ahead of you, with a tall chimney with a red and white stripe towering over it like a beacon to guide you safely in the right direction. It belongs to the Větřní Paper Mill (JIP), one of the largest paper mills in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1867 by Ignác Spiro and during his lifetime it was the largest in Austria-Hungary and later in the whole of Central Europe.

Český Krumlov (finish)

At the edge of Větřní (towards Český Krumlov), after crossing the railway siding to the paper mill, cross the bridge to the right bank of the River Vltava and follow the cycle path along the river and thus along the flat road back to Český Krumlov. On the way, you will pass the striking Papouščí Rock (with refreshments available), where you will also notice a modern weir with a hydroelectric power station.