Bike Trips and Hiking Trails
Bicycle rentals, cycling equipment rentals, guides, route suggestions, bicycle breakdown service, and maps are available in Cesky Krumlov (see such websites as www.ckvltava.cz/cyklistikaA/). For more extensive road, bike, and hiking maps of the entire region, go to the gift shop in the Information Center in the Main Square of Cesky Krumlov (just a few steps from Castle View Apartments). For 320 CZK ($16 at currency exchange rates when this article was written) per day with decreasing prices on subsequent days, the above mentioned Vltava Travel Agency website lets one choose between various mountain bikes and standard hybrid bikes for urban type use on roads and bike paths; they are located two blocks from the Main Square. Travel Agency Expedicion at www.expedicion.cz charges 280 CZK per day for bike rentals; they are located one block from the Main Square. Currently the Na Ostrove (on the island across the river from the Castle) has a special offer of 100 CZK per day rental although their website does not specify if this rate applies to all types of bikes. For an additional fee most bicycle rental businesses will transport you and your bike from (and then return to) Cesky Krumlov and the regional lakes or other scenic locations in the area. Cesky Krumlov is at the southern edge of the Blansky Forest which has 120 miles of marked bicycle trails. Along these trails at locations with panoramic views are information markers with a map of the trail and historical information about the locale. The Vltava River at the south east border of this Forest is at a 1,312 foot (400 meter) elevation. The highest point in the region is Klet (at a 3,556 foot or 1,084 meter elevation) where there is a famous observatory, stone observation tower built during the 1800s, and planetarium. With this difference in elevation of over 2,200 feet, it is obvious that this route is a challenging one for bicylists. However there are other opportunities in the region for bicyclists of all abilities. Go to www.klet.cz for opening hours and admission prices (30 crowns as of this writing) for the Klet Observatory. One can see the Austrian Alps from the top of the Klet stone observation tower on a clear day. Along the many other Forest trails, architectural enthusiasts will enjoy seeing a 13th century church, castle ruins, Gothic and Cistercian monasteries, and ruins from an ancient Celtic settlement. Click www.ckrumlov.cz/uk/region/soucas/t_ciktur.htm for a description of regional bicycle routes (ie., trip length, towns along the way, trip difficulty, suggested bike type, etc.).
There are also numerous backpacking and hiking trails in this region marked with levels of difficulty in different colors. Be sure to visit the gift shop in the Information Center in the Main Square; it has many maps of the local hiking/backpacking routes. One of the consequences of global warming will be an increase in the insect population. Before your trip, buy insect sprays that include ticks (such sprays may be difficult to find when you arrive in rural areas, and some brands must be washed INTO your clothing before use); review websites with suggestions to protect against insects. Since many woods and grassy fields in Europe and Russia have an increasing problem with tick encephalitis, when hiking always wear light-colored, long sleeved shirts tucked in at the waist (cotton can keep you cooler on warm days) and long, light-colored pants with the cuffs tucked in; always stay near the center of trails. For the steeper hiking trails, be sure to bring shoes with good ankle support; a twisted ankle can certainly ruin a good trip. Click www.czecot.com/en/?id_tema=12 for detailed hiking maps and route information for the Czech Republic.