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Add to favouritesAlong the Elbe river
Elbe Spring to Prague
Czech Republic8 days / 7 nights - 6 biking days
Guided group tour or Self-guided individual tour
Length 275 km / 165 miles
One of the easiest routes with very flat terrain following Elbe river´s bank. Although each year are added special paved cycling path section whole route leads mostly on roads without or low traffic.
Take a ride down from the top of the highest mountains in Czech republic - the Giant Mountains - to our capital city of Prague. This route along the Elbe River will take you through the natural reservation and a picturesque dam, Les Kralovstvi, where fairytale feelings will surround you. After a night in Dvur Kralove you will cycle through the rich cultural site of Kuks. As well as Braun´s sculptures of Virtues and Vices, it is well worth visiting a unique Baroque monument comprising a spa, a chateau and a hospital with a drama theatre. For another night we stay in one of the oldest settlements in Hradec Kralove. It is then a short distance to another important city of eastern Bohemia, Pardubice, giving you plenty of time to visit Kuneticka Hora, a castle on an 80m high hill surrounded by flat farmlands, and the nearby Museum of Fairy Stories and Ginger Bread. We will stay the night in the city of Pardubice. This city is well known for the annual Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase.
Over the centuries, picturesque towns and villages have grown along the Elbe River like shiny and lustrous pearls threaded on a string. After a lazy day you cycle from Pardubice to Kutna Hora, the city with a long history and on UNESCO Heritage list. Through Podebrady - a famous spa town with healthy carbonic mineral water you cycle to Nymburk. Do not forget to take a look at its preserved ancient brick fortifications here. Those interested in history and architecture should make a stop at the open-air museum in Prerov nad Labem on the last cycling day. From here the recommended cycling route will then lead you directly to your hotel in the center of Prague.
Travel dates
| 01.04.2025 - 31.10.2025 |
A self Guided tour can start any day from 1st April till 31st October |
|---|---|
| 22.06.2025 - 29.06.2025 |
Itinerary
Day 1 - Prague - Spindleruv Mlyn in Krkonose, Transfer 150 km / 90 miles by shuttleOn the first day we pick you up at the airport or at your hotel in Prague and then transfer to the highest mountains in the country, Krkonose - the Giant Mountains. The mountains form the natural border with Poland. You will stay in the most well-known mountain resort, Spindleruv Mlyn. We strongly recommend extending your stay in the Czech Republic in order to be able to visit Prague and all its beauties. We can arrange accommodation and tour guiding services for you. |
Day 2 - Spindleruv Mlyn - Dvur Kralove, 55 km / 33 milesYou can you take a lift up to St. Peter (bicycle is free of charge) and continue on the cycling path with a long slightly downhill ride through the forests to Vrchlabi. Or you can take a paved road along the Elbe River to Vrchlabi. Both options have the same length. Vrchalbi is called "The Gateway to the Giant Mountains". Do not miss the charming chateau built in the 16th century. You will cycle along the shore of the picturesque dam and reservoir, Les Kralovstvi, on the way to Dvur Kralove. Despite its small size it is probably the most beautiful dam site in the Czech Republic. Dvur Kralove is home to a very popular and important zoo which specializes in African wildlife. |
Day 3 - Dvur Kralove - Hradec Kralove, 40 km / 24 milesShortly you will reach the little village of Kuks. Here you can explore a unique Baroque monument - Hospital Kuks. The Chapel of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built there in 1696, followed by the chateau in 1710. The hospital also served as a spa, which was in its time more splendid than the more famous Carlsbad. You should not miss the open-air stone theatre of Baroque statues situated in the forest nearby. Near Jaromer is the Baroque fort, Josefov, founded in 1780. Tonight we will stay in a city with one of the longest histories, Hradec Kralove. |
Day 4 - Hradec Kralove - Pardubice, 24 km / 14 miles by bicycleIt is a short distance to another important city of eastern Bohemia, Pardubice, which will give you plenty of time to visit Kuneticka Hora. Kuneticka Hora is a spectacular castle on a hill that is only 80m high. However, the castle looks much more impressive as it is surrounded by flat farmlands. The Museum of Fairy Stories and Ginger Bread is nearby. Tonight we will stay in the city of Pardubice. The city is famous for the Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase, a cross-country race which has been run since 1874. |
Day 5 - Pardubice - Kutna Hora, 57 km / 36 milesThis day we cycle along the strengthening stream of Labe through flat territory, till we reach the oldest stud farm in Europe, Kladruby. Its history reaches back to the 16th century and the local horses have been used for many centuries by many royal and noble families. At the end of the day we divert form Labe to see one of the most significant cities of medieval Europe under UNESCO, Kutná Hora. Before we reach the city, we visit the beautiful classicist chateau Kačina and the uniquely preserved and breath-taking charnel-house in Sedlce at Kutná Hora with the mortal remains of more than 30 000 people. |
Day 6 - Kutna Hora - Nymburk, 43 km / 25 milesWe cross one of the few hills on our journey and head to Kolin, a significant city and important seat of Central Bohemia. A Jewish synagogue, a gothic church or a unique lookout with a marvellous view over the landscape can be found here. After that we follow the newly constructed cycling routes that lead us to the city of Podebrady. These routes are among the best in the Czech Republic. The atmosphere of this beautiful and peaceful spa town can be enjoyed at the colonnade, where you can taste one of the local healing springs. The aim of the day is Nymburk with its unique medieval battlements. |
Day 7 - Nymburk - Prague, 45-60 km / 27-36 milesThe last cycling day again offers many stops along the route. Who is interested in history should make a stop at the open-air museum in Prerov nad Labem. This outdoor museum features the first old Bohemian cottages and another 31 historical buildings and structures with interior exhibitions, which have been carefully relocated from all over the Czech Republic. Upon arriving in the suburbs of Prague you can use the metro and get to the center or you can prolong your cycling on the recommended cycling route and get almost directly to your hotel by bike. The second option is 10 km longer. |
Day 8 - PragueAfter a break in Prague you can continue along the Elbe River to Dresden in Germany on our Prague - Dresden tour. Special offer: Possibility to book extra nights and extend the tour at any town where you stay overnight. Price on request. |
Tour price list
| Tour Type | Accommodation Category | Luggage transportation | Room type | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided | standard | YES | double room | 1.030€ |
| Guided | standard | YES | single room | 1.235€ |
| Self guided | standard | YES | double room | 790€ |
| Self guided | standard | YES | single room | 995€ |
Included
What is included in the price
- Pick up from any Prague hotel or from Prague Airport on the first day of the tour (Self Guided option)
- Pick-up from AVE Prague hotel on the first day of the tour at an appointed time (Guided Group option)
- 7 x accommodation in selected hotels and pensions according to chosen accommodation category
- Buffet breakfast on all days
- 3 x dinners (Guided Group option)
- Refreshments in the supporting vehicle (soft drinks, snacks, sweets, fruit) (Guided Group option)
- Detailed town maps (per room)
- Detailed cycling maps (per room)
- Programme and English route book (per room)
- Transportation of participants, their luggage and bicycles from Prague to the starting point of the bike route and from the end of the route to Prague (according to the program of the tour)
- Transportation of luggage between hotels
- ON/Off-line map and GPX files of the recommended route
- 24 hour hotline assistance service
- Specialized AVE bicycle tour leader during all biking days (Guided Group option)
- Practical bike ride safety training (Guided Group option)
- Technical service on the route (Guided Group option)
- First aid - health service on the route (Guided Group option)
- Support minibus (Guided Group option)
- Water for bike flasks from the support vehicle (Guided Group option)
Additional charge
- Local tax payable on the spot (approx. € 1 - 2 per person/night). We recommend having small cash for these fees in local currency or Euros.
Optional
- GPS device for 15 Euro per tour. Only if in stock. Has to be ordered in advance.
Accommodation
Exact hotels depend upon availability at the moment of booking.
PREMIUM
Do you like comfort at a higher level? When choosing the PREMIUM category, we will provide accommodation in 4 * hotels or the best accommodation for cyclists. Accommodation is with a buffet breakfast.
STANDARD
When choosing the STANDARD category, we will arrange accommodation for you in 3 * hotels or B&B. Accommodation is with breakfast.
Example of the accommodation on the tour
Spindleruv Mlyn - Lomnice
Dvur Kralove nad Labem - Za Vodou
Hradec Kralove - U Jana
Pardubice - Hotel100
Kutna Hora - U Kata
Nymburk - U Anny Smejdirky
Prague - Harmony
Bike rental price list
| Touring Bike | E-BIKE | Road/Gravel Bike | Own Bike | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bike type | Leader Fox – Point or Sumava | 4Ever Comfort Sport | TREK | |
| Price per tour | 98€ | 210€ | 140€ | 30€ |
| Helmet | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | |
| Handle-bar bag | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | |
| 100% water-proof rear pannier | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | |
| Lock | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | |
| Repair kit | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | |
| Bike transportation | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED | INCLUDED |
| New cycling water bottle | On request - free of charge | On request - free of charge | On request - free of charge | 5€ |
| New helmet for sale | 35€ | 35€ | 35€ | 35€ |
Bikes
Map and profiles
Travel Reports
Read what the participants of Ave cycling tours think about their experience.
We combined the Elbe River to Prague and Prague to Dresden self-guide cycle tours and could not have been happier with the level of support, quality of the bikes and accommodation, reliable transfer of luggage and clear maps provided by AVE Czech Bicycle Tours. All communications we received from the cycle manager Vlastimil were prompt and clearly set out. We have undertaken many cycle tours in Europe over the past ten years — and this one was exceptional. The GPS provided with loaded cycle route was invaluable and in addition, they also provided detailed printed notes, maps with the route highlighted and separate maps showing the exact location of accommodation in each town and city. Unfortunately, we experienced an accident three days from the end of the ride that prevented us from completing the final sections in to Dresden and the support from Vlastimil and support staff was outstanding! Just can’t fault it and can highly recommend it.
Rob and Elise, Prague to Dresden Self Guided
Booking
