THE BOHEMIAN-MORAVIAN BORDERLANDS. by Bicycle

THE BOHEMIAN-MORAVIAN BORDERLANDS by Bicycle

Content Eastern Bohemia....................................................... 4 Bohemian-Moravian Borderlands.................................. 6 Journey to the secrets of Svojanov Castle....................... 8 Toulovcovy maštale lookout towers..............................10 Svitava River valley...................................................12 The Czech Versailles..................................................14 The beautiful landscapes of Hřebeč Ridge..................... 16 A landscape with thousand years of history...................18

Litomyšl chateau – UNESCO

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Eastern Bohemia

OLDEST stud farm: Kladruby nad Labem, founded in 1552 HARDEST and oldest race: Velká pardubická steeplechase, established in 1874

Are you searching for a cyclist’s paradise? Well search no more! The Eastern Bohemia region is the perfect place for you. Cycling enthusiasts of

HIGHEST point: Králický Sněžník, 1,423 metres above sea level LARGEST protected area: Maštale natural reserve, .

all kinds will find something perfect just for them.

1,088.56 hectares

It doesn’t matter whether your bike is your daily companion, or if you only

LARGEST body of water: Seč Reservoir, 220 hectares

take it out on special occasions. Or whether you love the mountains or prefer to ride on flat terrain. What unfolds before you is a diverse landscape that will immediately enchant you. While the region surrounding the Elbe River (home of the well-known Labská route) is a primarily flat area, the Eagle mountains and foothills and the Králický Sněžník area are, on the other hand, a lure for mountain lovers. And, of course, the area includes such cycling treats as single tracks and pump tracks. In addition to beautiful landscapes, the region not only boasts an interesting history and fascinating technical monuments, but also kind, hospitable, and open-hearted people. Its crown jewel is horses, not only because it is home to one of the most famous horse races in the world, the Velká Pardubická steeplechase, but also because of the Old Kladruber horses breeding programme, as well as the volumes of equestrian trails. Here, the old saying still rings true: “Every Czech is a musician.“ Perhaps that is also the reason why lovers of

SELECTION OF THE MOST INTERESTING EVENTS: AVIATION FAIR IN PARDUBICE June An international showcase of aviation and military technology. .  www.aviatickapout.cz/en

SMETANA’S LITOMYŠL June, July International operatic festival..  http://festival.smetana-litomysl.com

muses cherish the musical gem that is Smetana’s Litomyšl International Opera Festival. All of these are delicacies that simply invite you to savour them... Just like the renowned Pardubice gingerbread. So don’t hesitate to visit this picturesque corner of the country, and fall in love with it from your bike seat... For more detailed information and tips for interesting excursions, events, or accommodation, visit www.east-bohemia.info.

CRAFT SATURDAY IN LETOHRAD July A demonstration of traditional . crafts and historical machines..  www.muzeumremesel.cz/en

PUPPETEER’S CHRUDIM July National showcase of puppeteer ensembles. .  http://en.navstevnik.cz

PRAHA PARDUBICE

AKCE CIHELNA IN KRÁLÍKY August The largest gathering of military history enthusiasts in the Czech Republic.  www.akcecihelna.com

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Bohemian-Moravian Borderlands This picturesque region with fairytale chateaus, castle-threaded mystery, rock formation labyrinths, and numerous lookout towers nestled in glorious wilderness will no doubt enchant every cyclo-tourist. You will be welcomed by the romantic cities of Litomyšl, Moravská Třebová, Polička, Svitavy, and Výsoké Mýto. Here, you will find historical and contemporary architectural gems, unique technical monuments, a number of popular festivals and cultural events, as well as a wide range of options for sports activities and relaxation. Litomyšl boasts a Renaissance chateau inscribed to the UNESCO list. The chateau hilltop also features a number of other attractive places, such as the regional museum, the birth apartment of Bedřich Smetana, and the Piarist cathedral with its new exposition, “Angels on the Hilltop”. You can learn about author and mystic Josef Váchal at the Portmoneum, and can take time to relax in the beautiful Monastery Gardens complex. Set off from Litomyšl on bicycle to Toulovcovy maštale with its sandstone rock formations, ravines, and canyons, as well as a number of lookout towers, or make your way to the Rococo Nové Hrady chateau, nicknamed the “Czech Versailles”. In Polička, the unique city ramparts with their nineteen towers are worth a visit, as is the birthplace of composer Bohuslav Martinů in the tower of the Church of St James. Svojanov Castle is nestled in the nearby forests. Svitavy can be rightfully proud of its double-sided arched square that is one of the longest in the country. The city‘s most famous native, Oskar Schindler, walked this square. His life story and other interesting expositions are featured at the local museum. The crowning jewel of Moravská Třebová is its Renaissance chateau, where you can tour an exposition of a medieval torture chamber, among other things. Another attraction worth a visit is the Egyptian Princess Museum, which houses the mummy of princess Hereret. Vysoké Mýto is also deserving of your attention, with the largest city square in the Czech Republic and its ancient gates and towers. The newly-opened Museum of Czech Automobiles presents the rich history of the Czech automobile industry. You can learn about all this and much more when you mount your bicycle and set off of on your travels around the rolling landscape of the borderlands of Bohemia and Moravia. Beginning in early July until the end of September, you can take advantage of the regional bicycle bus, which links the most interesting places of the Bohemian-Moravian Borderlands. http://en.ceskomoravskepomezi.info

CALENDAR OF SELECTED EVENTS: INAUGURATION OF THE LITOMYŠL SPA SEASON April

Spa procession, concerts, theatre performances, expositions... All under the motto, “Relax your body and mind at the spa of the spirit – in Litomyšl.  www.litomysl.cz

SMETANA‘S LITOMYŠL June/July

One of the largest festivals of its kind in the Czech Republic, offering an unparalleled classical music experience from leading performers in the magical surroundings of a Renaissance chateau inscribed in the UNESCO list.  www.smetana-litomysl.com

POLIČKA 555 August

A summer holiday multi-genre festival that brings music of a wide range of styles to the Polička city centre each year with performances by popular singers and bands, as well as theatre performances and fireworks.  www.policka.org

TRICKS AND FUN August

A popular medieval festival with conjurors, sword fighting, troubadours, and craftsmen, as well as evening concerts by popular performers for all ages, taking place in the Moravská Třebová town square.  http://en.ceskomoravskepomezi.info

TOP WEEK

August/September A traditional series of outdoor events in various locations around Svitavy, which include the Alois Petrus Woodcarving Memorial, concerts, and theatre performances, as well as the concluding St. Julia Fair with markets and a historical programme.  www.svitavy.cz/_en

PERCUSSION FESTIVAL October THE BOHEMIAN-MORAVIAN BORDERLANDS

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An international percussion showcase in Vysoké Mýto, extremely popular with domestic as well as foreign performers and audiences, whose renown has skyrocketed over the years.  http://en.ceskomoravskepomezi.info

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Polička Kamenec . u Poličky

Sádek

Korouhev

Jedlová Hamry

ROUTE DESCRIPTION

Předměstí

Sádek

702 m.a.s.l

Hartmanice

Difficulty: 

452 m.a.s.l

Type | trekking and road bicycles

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE

Hamry

Distance | 51 km

Svojanov

Nedvězí

Hlásnice

Svojanov Castle

Polička

JOURNEY TO THE SECRETS OF SVOJANOV CASTLE

Hartmanice Bystré

Polička

Nedvězí

Svojanov castle

Set off on your bicycle through a landscape of Police ponds and the picturesque valley of the Křetínka River, all the way to the enchanting Svojanov Castle! The route leads primarily along Class II and III roads, and, with the exception of a number of short

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sections, is marked along its entire length. 4019 Polička Square > Hrubý Mill, from there, to the right along the cycling trail at the former sidetrack to the crossroads of routes 4104 and 4019 (3 km); 4019 Troubný Pond > Jedlová (8.5 km); 5085 Jedlová > Hamry (3 km); 104 Hamry – Svojanov, turn (4.5 km); unmarked Svojanov, turn > Svojanov Castle > Svojanov, turn (2.5 km); 104 Svojanov, turn > Předměstí (2 km); unmarked Předměstí > Hlásnice (3 km); 5085 Hlásnice > Hartmanice . (3 km); unmarked Hartmanice > Nedvězí > Korouhev (10 km); 5085 Korouhev > Sádek . (5.5 km); 4025 Sádek > Kamenec u Poličky (3 km); 4101 Kamenec u Poličky > Polička (3 km) City walls, Polička

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POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE Polička – unique city ramparts, Bohuslav Martinů Centre, birthplace of Bohuslav Martinů in the tower of the Church of St James, historical centre with a Baroque town hall and plague column, U Poličky nature trail • complex of ponds in the Polička area • Svojanov Castle – tour of the living quarters, torture chambers, armiger residence, as well as the Gothic garden • Church of St Nicholas in Starý Svojanov • Bystré – chateau, historical centre, Brtoun‘s Cottage with an exposition on shoemaking • Interesting views offered by the castle tower at Svojanov and Librův kopec Hill at Nedvězí Bystré

Birthplace of Bohuslav Martinu, Polička

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Litomyšl Morašice Nové Hrady Zderaz Bor u Skutče

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE Nové Hrady

Litomyšl

Difficulty: 

304 m.a.s.l

Type | trekking and road bicycles

Paseky

Distance | 52 km

Litomyšl

Toulovcova lookout tower

Paseky

Horní Újezd

Poříčí u Litomyšle

TOULOVCOVY MAŠTALE LOOKOUT TOWERS

Poříčí u Litomyšle

Dolní Újezd

Budislav

598 m.a.s.l

Proseč

Terezka lookout tower

Dolní Újezd

Toulovcova lookout tower

ROUTE DESCRIPTION Cyclists travel along Class II and III roads and asphalt roads. The route is suitable for trekking and road bicycles. During this unique and very attractive tourist cycling circuit, you will visit the Rococo chateau at Nové Hrady with the First Czech Cycling Museum, as well as the popular lookout towers at Toulovcovy maštale. 4021 Litomyšl > Morašice > Nové Hrady (17 km); 4180 Nové Hrady > Bor u Skutče > Proseč (7 km); unmarked Proseč > Paseky > Proseč (5 km); 4024 Proseč > Budislav (5 km); 4021 Budislav > Toulovcova lookout tower > Budislav (2.5 km); 4024 Budislav > Poříčí u Litomyšle (1.5 km); unmarked Poříčí u Litomyšle > Horní Újezd (4 km); 4019 Horní Újezd > Litomyšl (10 km)

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Hrady – Rococo chateau, First Czech Museum of Cycling, natural labyrinth, The Gallery of English Hats, game park with fallow deer and red deer • Toulovcovy maštale – natural reserve with a complex of sandstone rock formations and ravines • Proseč – museum of smoking pipes, Planetary Trail • The lookout towers Terezka at Proseč and Toulovcova at Budislav offer beautiful views of the surrounding area Nové Hrady Chateau

POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE

Monastery gardens, Litomyšl

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Litomyšl – chateau on the UNESCO list, chateau cellars with the statues of Olbram Zoubek, the birth apartment of Bedřich Smetana, Monastery gardens, the “Angels on the Hilltops“ exposition, the regional museum, Museum of Dollhouses, Dolls, and Toys, Portmoneum • Nedošínský forest • Rose Meadow with a memorial for the Czech Brotherhood • Nové

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Moravská Třebová

Koclířov Svitavy Kamenná Horka

Útěchov

Hradec nad Svitavou Radiměř Sklené

Dlouhá Loučka

Pohledy

Křenov

Difficulty: 

Pohledy

Svitavy

Type | trekking and road bicycles

385 m.a.s.l

Hradec nad Svitavou

Distance | 36 km

573 m.a.s.l

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE

Březina

Svitavy

Bělá nad Svitavou

Svitavy historical centre

Březová nad Svitavou

SVITAVA RIVER VALLEY

Březová nad Svitavou

Hradec nad Svitavou

Banín

ROUTE DESCRIPTION The route leads along Class II and III roads, and with the exception of the Březová nad Svitavou – Pohledy segment, is labelled with tourist route markers. This less difficult circuit with only one long ascent from Březová nad Svitavou is suitable for beginning cyclists as well. Járy Cimrmana lookout tower, Březová nad Svitavou

4022 Svitavy > Hradec nad Svitavou (5.5 km); 4201 Hradec nad Svitavou > turnoff toward Banín (6 km); 4203 turnoff toward Banín > Březová nad Svitavou (5.5 km); unmarked Březová nad Svitavou > Pohledy (6.5 km); 4024 Pohledy > Hradec nad Svitavou (7.5 km); 4022 Hradec nad Svitavou > Svitavy (5.5 km) The route can be extended by taking cycling routes 4203 and 104 through Brněnec and Vítějeves to Svojanov Castle, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Bohemian-Moravian Borderlands. In Svitava, you can take advantage of the services of bicycle, electro-bike, and scooter rental at the information centre on the town square.

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POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE Svitavy – historical centre, municipal museum and gallery—the “Searching for the Star of David“ and “Grandma‘s Great Laundry Day“ expositions, the one-of-a-kind Svitava nativity scene carved from wood, the Esperanto Museum, J. Palacha park with a memorial for O. Schindler, the Svitavský stadion leisure time park, disc golf course, the Brand forest fitness complex, Vodárenský Forest • folk architecture • Údolím řeky Svitavy nature trail at Březová nad Svitavou • views of the area unfold from the Rozhledna Járy Cimrmana lookout tower and the route section near Sklená • You can be guided around the city of Svitava by a new mobile application, available via a free download. Oskar Schindler . memorial, Svitavy

Municipal museum and gallery, Svitavy

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Bžundov

Vysoké Mýto

Vanice

Hrušová Pustina Bučina Javorník

Libecina Leština

Mokrá Lhota Nové Hrady

Nové Hrady Chateau

THE CZECH VERSAILLES

Vysoké Mýto

483 m.a.s.l

Leština

Javorník

Hrušová

Difficulty: 

270 m.a.s.l

Type | trekking and road bicycles

Vysoké Mýto

Distance | 38 km

Pustina

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE

ROUTE DESCRIPTION This route leads through a picturesque, hilly landscape along Class II and III roads, and is furnished with cyclo-tourist markers along its entire length. Visit the Rococo chateau in Nové Hrady, whose beauty has earned it the “Czech Versailles“ nickname. You should Toulovcovy maštale Nature Reserve also tour the First Museum of Czech Cycling, which offers a journey through history, from the first velocipedes, all the way to specialised modern racing bicycles. 4231 Vysoké Mýto > Bžundov (2.5 km); 4229 Bžundov > Hrušová > Javorník > Nové Hrady (19 km); 4181 Nové Hrady > Mokrá Lhota (1.5 km); 4227 Mokrá Lhota > Libecina > Pustina (6 km); 18 Pustina > Vanice > Vysoké Mýto (9 km)

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POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE

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Baroque grounds, Vraclav

Vysoké Mýto – city gates and towers, Museum of Czech Automobiles – a unique exposition of historical vehicles dedicated to the legacy of renowned designer Josef Sodomka, the Church of St Lawrence with its valuable Art Nouveau frescoes, regional museum, racing circuit • Nové Hrady – Rococo chateau, First Museum of Czech Cycling, Gallery of English Hats, natural amphitheatre and labyrinth, game park with fallow and red deer • nearby Toulovcovy maštale – natural reserve with sandstone rock formations, canyons, and several lookout towers • You can appreciate views of the surrounding area at the town of Brteč, as well as at other points along the route

Museum of Czech Automobiles, Vysoké Mýto

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Lookout tower hill, Hřebečské mining trails

Opatov

Mladějov na Moravě

Dětřichov

Kunčina Moravská Třebová

Koclířov

Svitavy

Rychnov na Moravě Třebařov

Staré Město Linhartice

Kamenná Horka Útěchov

Hradec nad Svitavou Sklené

Dlouhá Loučka

Pohledy

Křenov

4030 Moravská Třebová > Křenov (10.5 km); 4029 Křenov > Hřebeč (13 km); red tourist route Hřebeč > Nad Vískou (8 km); yellow tourist route Nad Vískou > Mladějov (3 km); 4062 Mladějov > Staré Město (8.5 km); 521 Staré Město > Moravská Třebová (4 km) The route can be shortened to 34 km from Moravská Třebová along the 4029 to Hřebeč, and along the listed routes from there.

Moravská Třebová Chateau

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Moravská Třebová

ROUTE DESCRIPTION Due to the hilly terrain and the fact that part of the route leads along forest paths, this circuit is a little more challenging. The Mladějov – Hřebeč segment does not have any cycling route markers, however, you can use those designated for pedestrian tourists.

Staré Město

Difficulty: 

Křenov

Moravská Třebová

Type | mountain bicycles

348 m.a.s.l

636 m.a.s.l

Distance | 47 km

Mladějov

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE

Hřebeč

THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES OF HŘEBEČ RIDGE

Městečko Trnávka

47 km

POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE Moravská Třebová – chateau with an exposition on medieval torture chambers and alchemist laboratories, Egyptian Princess Museum, Journey from the Renaissance to the Baroque – an educational trail presenting the city‘s most important architectural monuments • Křenov – Baroque parish with a museum • Industrial Museum and the narrow-gauge railroad at Mladějov • Hřebeč mining trails – a system of trails for pedestrians and cyclists introducing the history of mining activities at Hřebeč • Marian pilgrimage site at Rychnov na Moravě • You can experience views of the landscape from the Křenov and Kamenná Horka areas, or from the lookout towers and platforms of the Hřebeč mining trails.

Narrow-gauge railway, Mladějov

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Josefa Váchala Street, Litomyšl

Strakov

Litomyšl Osík

Třebovice

Benátky

Janov

Anenská Studánka

Čistá

Opatov Opatovec

Trstěnice

Mikulovec

Javorník Chmelík

Karle

Svitavy

A LANDSCAPE WITH A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY

182 Litomyšl > Strakov > Mendryka > Opatovec (17 km); 4033 Opatovec > Svitavy . (5.5 km); 4028 Svitavy > Horní rybník Pond > turnoff for Javornický Ridge > Brlenka > Litomyšl (25.5 km) Beginning in 2016, you will have the opportunity to utilise the long-distance cycling route No. 24, which will take you from the town of Opatov to the Queen Bee Memorial, the Brand forest complex, and from there, to Svitavy. Esperanto Museum, Svitavy

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Esperanto Museum, J. Palacha park with a memorial to Oskar Schindler, the Svitavský stadion leisure park, disc golf course, the Brand forest fitness complex, Svitava River headspring, Mother Bee Memorial • The Českomoravské pomezí nature trail is also nearby, on the Javornický Ridge. From here, you will be treated to interesting views, just like those at the village of Brlenka or from the Red Tower in Litomyšl.

POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE Litomyšl – chateau on the UNESCO list, chateau cellars with the statues of Olbram Zoubek, the birth apartment of Bedřich Smetana, Monastery gardens, “Angels on the Hilltops“, regional museum, Museum of Dollhouses, Dolls, and Toys, Portmoneum • hunting chateau and the Chapel of St Hubert in Mendryka • Svitavy – historical centre, municipal museum and gallery – “Searching for the Star of David“ and “Grandma‘s Great Laundry Day“ expositions, the one-of-a-kind Svitava nativity scene carved from wood, the Svitavský stadion leisure park

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Litomyšl

ROUTE DESCRIPTION The route leads along Class II and III roads, and along reinforced trails, solely along marked cycling routes. Set off from romantic Litomyšl, with its Renaissance chateau inscribed on the UNESCO list, to Svitavy, where you can tour one of the longest double-sided arched squares in the country, and will learn about the fate of local native Oskar Schindler.

Svitavy

Difficulty: 

Litomyšl

330 m.a.s.l

Type | trekking and mountain bicycles

Mendryka

Distance | 48 km

Brlenka

572 m.a.s.l

ROUTE ELEVATION PROFILE

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