Biking the river Elbe from the source to Prague

From the tiny source to the hundred towers of Prague

The source of the Elbe river is located in the Giant Mountains close to Vrchlabi (High-Elbe) from which it flows towards Prague. Located on the Elbe’s banks are ancients lands that have been inhabited for centuries. Dvur Kralove and Hradec Kralove are cities from which the kings ruled the surrounding lands, taking a small detour near Kolin leads you to the unesco world heritage site of Kutna Hora with its famous silver mines, bone church, and catacombs. Shortly before Nymburk you will cycle past Podebrady where you have the chance to fill your bottle with water from the hot springs.

The cycle-route mostly runs parallel to the river, sometimes the route deviates to visit a beautiful site. The start of the route is mostly forested, and then slowly turns into a mixed agricultural landscape with nature reserves along the river. You will cycle most of the time on bicycle paths, and sometimes on rural roads. The route is flat, which is an exception in a country where the hills follow up each other row after row most of the time. The route largely follows the tourist Elbe cycle path 2.

The trip can also be made without luggage transport: Discount € 100,- per booking!

Day-by-day schedule

 

Day 1: Arrival Vrchlabi

In the course of the day you will travel to Vrchlabi (car/train/bus). In the evening you get your documents about your trip and rented bikes .

 

Day 2: Vrchlabi - Dvur Kralove (45 km / 30 miles)

You drive along the upper reaches of the here still small Elbe. In Hostinne the giants are waiting for you at the town hall tower. After a leisurely ascent of approx. 3 km (the longest of the whole bike tour!) you reach the Elbe reservoir embedded in wooded heights with its beautifully designed dam crown from 1916. Not much later you reach the small town of Dvur Kralove on the Elbe. This is the most hilly day of the tour.

 

Day 3: Dvur Kralove - Hradec Kralove (48 km / 32 miles)

The cycle route leads through the varied landscape to Kuks, where 34 magnificent sculptures depict the virtues and the vices. On your bike tour you will be amazed by the garrison town of Josefov, which was built around 1785 by the Austrians. You can visit bastions and casemates there today. Soon afterwards you will reach Hradec Kralove, the beautiful administrative centre of the surrounding countryside and an old university town. The centre has been completely preserved and has many beautiful corners.

 

Day 4: Hradec Kralove - Pardubice (37 km / 25 miles)

Through the extensive forests east of Hradec Kralove, your cycle path leads in an arc past Raby Castle to the famous town of Pardubice. Enjoy a relaxing sun break in the centre of the historic old town, relax in peace or take a walk to the castle.

 

Day 5: Pardubice - Kolin (57 km / 38 miles)

Along the calmly flowing Elbe and rushing poplars, the cycle path leads past some of the country's most famous stables to the town of Kolin. Here, too, the old town with Karlsplatz, the former Jewish ghetto and the 13th century cathedral are listed buildings.

 

Day 6: Kolin - Nymburk (33 km / 22 miles)

The cycle path leads along the Elbe to the spa town of Podebrady. Look forward to a walk over the colonnades and a nice cafe under shady trees. You then cycle on to Nymburk, a small medieval town that became an important trading centre under Dominican rule with the help of German and Dutch colonists.

 

Day 7: Nymburk - Prague (57 km / 37 miles)

You follow the Elbe to the west through the Bohemian basin. You will cross villages and larger towns. On the way you can even visit a bicycle museum next to an open-air museum. You will reach golden Prague along the banks of the Elbe and over well maintened cycle paths.

Prague is an incredibly beautiful city with a long history. It is not called the Golden City for nothing, and there are also a hundred towers. There are plenty of museums, theatres and exhibitions. You can eat and drink at every corner. St. Veith, the Hradcany, the Lesser Town, the Jewish cemetery. Here you need more than a week to get a first impression of the city.

 

Day 8: Prague departure

After breakfast end of the journey, or you cycle further along the Moldau and Elbe to Dresden. Book a few days extra for the beautiful city of Prague.

You can book a transfer back to Vrchlabi, but you can also take the train or bus back to Vrchlabi.

 

Level: 2 of 5

Orfeo travel cycling Orfeo travel cycling

Total length of the tour: 279 km / 174 miles

Price per person
7 nights in three or four star hotels / pensions € 835
Double room, incl. breakfast Included
Luggage transport Included
Detailed maps and gps files (gpx / kml) Included
24-Hour SOS service Included
Route description Included
Trekking bike (21-27 gears) € 95
E-bike (8 gears) € 190
Single room € 1055
Surcharge solo traveller € 175
triple room / family room (4 beds) € 825 / 815
Extra night first hotel (single, double, triple, quad) € 90 / 110 / 150 / 190
Extra night last hotel (single, double, triple, quad) € 95 / 120 / 160 / 200
Special transfer back to first hotel (max. 4 Pers. / max. 8 Pers.) € 310 / 310
GPS device € 25

Rented bikes are fully equipped: bags, lights, locks, map holder, incl. service

Book online
From 835 Euro per person

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