Bohemian Paradise cycling holiday – self guided in your own pace

Introduction

6 days “Paradise” cycling through a mozaik of villages, valleys, meadows, medieval relicts, rock labirints and beautiful views

Map of tour

Tour itinerary

Day 1 On the Trail of count Wallenstein

Arrival and check-in at a hotel in the center of the town of Jičín – gateway to the Bohemian Paradise nature reserve. The town experienced its “golden age” in the first half of the 17th century during the reign of Albrecht z Valdštejna (Wallenstein, Czech count and general). He had great intentions in developing this area. He built his residence here on the square. His death brought an end to his grand plans. Tip: the town of Jičín is nice to wander around for half a day and to do some shopping. There are also various facilities such as a museum, a watchtower, a swimming paradise, various restaurants and terraces.

• Overnight: Hotel Rieger, Hotel reStart (upgrade)

Day 2 Through the ‘Stone City’

The first cycling tour immediately connects a number of tourist highlights of the Bohemian Paradise. From Jičín you cycle to the “stone” town of Prachov with sandstone rocks on the surface of 190 hectares. It is more than worth it to park your bike for a few hours and to take a walk through the Prachov rocks . The entrance is about five Euros, the walking routes vary from about 2 km to 5 km, for the short route you have to take at least 1.5 hours. Also close to the route are a number of small lakes (Oborský rybník) surrounded by forests and rocks, it is a favorite area for campers. You can take a swimming break when the weather is nice. There are plenty of drinks and fast food available at very friendly prices.
From the route you will see the basalt hill Vysker (464 m) and eventually you will reach the friendly town of Turnov, the heart of the Bohemian Paradise. This city was founded in the year 1250 and is beautifully situated on the river Jizera. In the vicinity of Turnov there are numerous sites of semi-precious stones, through which traditional handicrafts (stone cutting, jewelry making) developed.

• Distance: 35 km
• Climbing: 485 m
• Descent: 497 m
• Overnight: Hotel Korunní princ, Hotel Karel IV.

Day 3 On To the Medieval Castle or the Jizera Greenway

A tough yet beautiful bike ride leads past the museum farm Dlaskův statek with an exhibition of rural life. From here you have to climb a lot to the castle ruins Frýdštejn, but that makes sense: the castle was of course in a difficult to reach place. A few kilometers further up you can climb the Kopanina lookout tower, then you can descend to the valley of the river Jizera to Malá Skála, a picturesque village surrounded by rocks. From your accommodation you have a beautiful view to the church Pantheon on the rock cliff.
The alternative route follows the Jizera Greenway from Turnov: a light pleasant route along the Jizera River on newly constructed asphalt cycle routes.

• Distance: 19 km (alt. 11 km)
• Climbing: 470 m
• Descent: 475 m
• Overnight: Hotel Skala, pension NECO

Day 4 Rest Day or Mala Skála circuit

Today you can take a rest day or the longest stage of this week awaits you. You first cycle through the river valley of the Jizera (Jizera Greenway no. 17) through all kinds of villages and towns. A well-known town on the route is Železný Brod, known as the center of the glass industry. Only at the point where the rivers Jizera and Kamenice converge you leave the valley and cycle into the hills. You go up and down alternately. If you want to reach the highest mountain in the Bohemian Paradise Kozákov (744 m), you have to pedal hard. Note: this part of the route is really steep, keep this in mind. But the beautiful view tens of kilometers away is definitely worth it! Kozákov is also a site of precious stones. You will descend again to Malá Skála, on the way you will pass the rock complex Chléviště.

• Distance: 43 km
• Climbing: 918 m
• Descent: 918 m
• Overnight: Hotel Skala, pension NECO

Day 5 ‘Old Witch’ and ‘Fair Virgin’ Dominant

First you cycle in the direction of the city of Turnov and a few kilometers further on you visit the castle ruins Valdštejn, which stands on a rocky cliff. You can only see remains of the castle, but the sandstone church and bridge have been beautifully preserved. The next sight on the route is Hrubá Skála Castle, nowadays a hotel and restaurant. From the tower of the castle you can already see the next castle ruin: Trosky. From the castle with one thick (the Old Witch) and one thin tower (the Fair Virgin), the rulers had control over the entire area in the past. Today they are the symbol of the area. You reach Prachovské skály rock labyrinth at the end of the day.

• Distance: 36 km
• Climbing: 599 m
• Descent: 453 m
• Overnight: Parkhotel Skalní Město, Sporthotel Brada

Day 6 Over the Hill

Today you leave the forests and rock complexes and largely cycle through open countryside. In the village of Rovensko pod Troskami you can view the so-called rebel bells, the bells hang upside down. Today’s topper is the Tábor hill with a chapel above it. From this point you can see the wide surroundings. Just before the town of Jičín you will pass a large monastery complex, built by Count Albrecht z Valdštejna (Albrecht von Wallenstein). From here you walk through a double linden avenue that will lead you to the center of the city. The avenue was also planted by Count Wallenstein, after all the road to his seat had to be stately.

• Distance: 41 km
• Climbing: 577 m
• Descent: 710 m
• Overnight: Hotel Rieger, Hotel reStart (upgrade)

Day 7 Departure

Return home after breakfast or extend with… a stay in Prague?
Tip: the route can be made lighter or heavier, part of the route you can go by the train. The number of kilometers to be cycled can easily be increased or decreased by making adjustments to the route.

• Overnight: none

What’s included and excluded?

Video

Accommodations

Hotel reStart

4 star hotel reStart is located in Jičín town. It offers a restaurant, fitness center, wellness, bar, free Wi-Fi, family rooms, a children’s playground, room service, a kids’ club and bike rental.
All rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an electric kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk.

• Star rating:
• Website: website
• Address : Valdické Předměstí, 506 01 Jičín, Czechia – Jičín
• Elevation : 289 m

Ekofarma Rytířova Lhota

A secluded farmstead, which consists of a set of buildings – the owner’s family house, a detached house for guests, a barn and barns with farm animals. The homestead includes pastures, an orchard and a garden.Located a stone’s throw from Kost Castle. The pension offers both rooms and fully equipped apartments.

• Star rating:
• Website: website
• Address : Rytirova Lhota 3, Jicin 506 01, Czechia – Rytířova Lhota
• Elevation : 301 m

Chateau hotel Hrubá Skála

Castle hotel Hrubá Skála (rough rock) is located on the sandstone cliff overlooking the the lovely landscape of Bohemian Paradise. All rooms have private facilities, there is a restaurant and spa.

• Star rating:
• Website: website
• Address : Hrubá Skála 1, 511 01 Hrubá Skála, Czechia – Hrubá Skála
• Elevation : 313 m

Hotel Štekl

Hotel Štekl is located just aside castle hotel Hrubá Skála. It is comfortable accommodation with semi-deluxe apartments and rooms in the middle of the rock labyrinth.

• Star rating:
• Website: website
• Address : Hrubá Skála 511 01 Turnov, Česká republika, Czechia – Hrubá Skála
• Elevation : 313 m

Hotel Pošta Sobotka

Hotel Pošta Sobotka can be found in the center of the town of Sobotka, the birthplace of the famous poet Fráňa Šrámek. It disposes with 50 beds in nicely decorated rooms, there is a lovely pizzeria and a hotel restaurant attached.

• Star rating:
• Website: website
• Address : nám. Míru 215, 507 43 Sobotka, Czechia – Sobotka
• Elevation : 291 m

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