Czech Gothic Trail: Brno - Prague
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Length: 348 km /
218 miles
Trip rating: Moderate
Highlights: Church of St. John of Nepomuk (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Church of St. Barbora in Kutná Hora (UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, Český Šternberk Gothic castle, St. Jakub Church in Brno, Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, Pernštejn Castle, the town of Polička
The Czech Republic has the largest
concentration of castles and chateaux per
square kilometer in Europe. Ride past royal
residences, precious churches and traditional,
vernacular buildings. Pernštejn Castle is one of the most beautiful medieval castles in the
country. The Church of St. Barbora in Kutná Hora is a jewel of Late Gothic architecture. The Church of
St. John of Nepomuk on Zelená Hora (Green Mountain) is the masterwork of its architect, Giovanni Santini. The villages of
Hlinsko and Veselý Kopec are built in the style known as Rustic Baroque, harkening back to
the traditional life of people in this region. Finish in Prague - the city of a thousand spires.
| SELF-GUIDED TOUR |
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| Price (based on double occupancy) what's included |
2020 Dates |
| 1490 EUR per person |
Daily from April through October |
| Single supplement: 350 EUR |
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| 15% supplement for single travellers on a self-guided tour* |
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*The car and luggage transfers are calculated based on a minimum of two
people. If you go solo on a self-guided tour, you will pay a 15% tour
supplement to cover the cost of the extra person not going.
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| Road bike or e-bike supplement:
15 EUR / bike / day |
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| GUIDED TOUR |
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| Price (based on double occupancy) what's included |
2020 Dates |
| 2240 EUR per person: Group size 4-7 people |
June 15 - 22 (includes Kutná Hora Silver Festival) |
| 2040 EUR per person: Group size 8+ people |
September 14 - 21 |
Single supplement: 350 EUR
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Contact our partner if you would like to request a custom, guided bicycle tour on different dates |
| Road bike or e-bike supplement:
15 EUR / bike / day |
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Day 1:
Brno - Vir/Rovecne (64 km / 40 miles)
The cycle trail starts in Rakovec at the Brno Resevoir and goes past Pernštejn Castle to the
town of Bystřice nad Pernštejnem. Pernštejn Castle is strategically placed on a huge, rocky
outcrop at the meeting point of the two rivers Svratka and Nedvědička. Its unusual and
pure beauty ranks it among Czech Republic's historical gems. Although it dates
back to the 13th century, it is very well preserved because it was never conquered or damaged by combat.
Overnight in Vir or Rovecne.
Day 2:
Vir/Rovecne – Polička (30 km / 19 miles)
Today's route takes you through the Žďárské Hills Protected Landscape Area to the
charming town of Polička. Its historical center is surrounded by a defense wall 1,220 meters long. The walls are around 2,25 m thick and 8 m high with 19 lookout towers
along one half of the town. The wall is one of the best preserved defense walls in Central
Europe and is worth seeing. A delightful walk along a reconstructed part of the wall offers
superb views of the nearby Svojanov Castle.
Overnight in Polička.
Day 3:
Polička – Žďár nad Sázavou (35 km / 22 miles)
Leading through the hilly terrain of the Czech-Moravian Highlands, today's route brings you
past Nové Město na Moravě to Žďár nad Sázavou with its unique church of
St. John of Nepomuk. This construction of two styles – Gothic and Baroque - is the height of
the work of architect genius Jan Blažej Santini Aichl. A testament to its brilliance, the
church is the only solitary building in the Czech Republic to have been designated a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was awarded the title in 1994.
Overnight in Žďár nad Sázavou.
Day 4:
Žďár nad Sázavou – Hlinsko (27 km / 17 miles)
This stage of the route is the shortest and goes through a hilly landscape to the town of Hlinsko. In Hlinsko, there is a unique collection of folk houses called Betlém, which were part of
the town and whose wood work was a living craft in the last century. You can visit
the seasonal and annual exhibitions in some of the wooden houses. There is also
a stylish restaurant and tearoom.
Overnight in Hlinsko.
Day 5:
Hlinsko – Klokočov (32 km / 20 miles)
The trail leads by the outdoor museum Veselý Kopec housing the largest collection
of folk buildings in East Bohemia, through the Železné Mountains Protected Landscape Area
to the town of Seč. Close to the town is a water reservoir of the same name and is a popular
recreational area.
Overnight in Seč.
Day 6:
Klokočov – Kutná Hora (45 km / 28 miles)
From Seč, today's route goes through the village of Ronov nad Doubravou
located in the magical landscape between the Železné Mountains and the river Doubrava.
The picture gallery of Antonín Chitussi, a Czech painter and local resident, is located in the
village. Also exhibited are 60 pictures from the National Gallery in Prague. The route then
continues through the town of Čáslav to Kutná Hora. Kutná Hora developed as a result of
the exploitation of nearby silver mines. In the 14th century it became a royal city endowed
with monuments that symbolized its prosperity. The Church of St. Barbora, a jewel of the
late Gothic period, and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec, which was restored in line with
the Baroque taste of the early 18th century, were to influence the architecture of Central
Europe.
Overnight in Kutná Hora.
Day 7:
Kutná Hora – Jemniště (62 km / 39 miles)
After sightseeing in Kutná Hora, you continue along the cycle route by the river Sázava,
which takes you to the town of Český Šternberk. Above the town, the dominant castle
perches on a rocky outcrop with a wonderful view over the romantic river valley.
Overnight in Jemniště.
Day 8:
Jemniště – Týnec nad Sázavou - Pruhonice (53 km / 33 miles)
The last day on the cycle route takes you along the Sázava River to Týnec nad Sázavou,
popular for its water tourism on the river. to Pruhonice with its Renaissance chateau and enormous arboretum, a center of botany and horticulture in the Czech Republic. Transfer by car from Pruhonice to Prague city center.
Shorter cycling option with car transfer from Tynec nad Sazavou to Prague (23 km / 14 miles) is available.
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