Bikeroutes

The Stone Bridge, spanning the Otava River right in the centre of Písek, is the starting point as well as the point or arrival of the proposed routes. This is also where you find all main route direction signs. To facilitate your orientation in the region, we would recommend you to buy a cycling map of Písek and its surroundings.

Route No. 1 - Through the Land of Ponds (30 or 44 km)

Písek - Smrkovice - Hůrky - Putim - Ražice - Pond Řežabinec - (Sudoměř/Žižka monument - Čejetice - Štěkeň - Nové Kestřany) - Kestřany - Zátaví - Zátavský Bridge - Devil's Path - U Smetáka - Písek

This route will introduce you to the typical South Bohemian countryside full of ponds. The route is mostly easy. The full length is 44 km or it is possible to shorten it to 30 km after the visit to the Řežabinec Pond.

Route No. 2 - The Písek Hills (22 or 40 km)

Písek - U Vodáka - Písecké Hills - (Albrechtice - Údraž - Jehnědno - Chřešťovice - sv. Jan) - Kluky - Na Křižatkách - V Živci - U Vodáka - Písek

This route offers the chance to become familiar with a large area of the woodland covering the Písek Hills. The wonderful views over the Písek countryside will be your reward for tackling some of the quite demanding ascents. The route measures 40 km or it can be shortened to 22 km by taking a different route at the crossroads of ´V Srdci´ towards Kluky.

Route No. 3 - The Road to Protivín (43 km)

Písek - Semice - Nový Dvůr - Kukle - Tálín - Ždár - Nová Ves - Zelendárky - Protivín - Bor - Myšenec - Klokočín - Maletice - Benešovský Mill - Heřmaň - Hůrky - Smrkovice - Písek

This route follows the quiet, mostly flat tracks leading to Protivín. Your destination will be the unique nature reserve of ´Zelendárky´. There are several nature trails along the route which can be incorporated into your trip. The return journey to Písek will take you through the picturesque area along the River Blanice through the Hůrka Forest.

Route No. 4 - Towards the Orlík Reservoir (56 km)

Písek - U Sulana - Footbridge over the Otava River - Vojníkov - Tukleky - Oslov - sv. Anna - Zvíkov - Zbonín - Varvažov - Ostrovec - (Vráž) - Čížová - Krašovice - Písek

The route follows very quiet wooden tracks all the way down to the Orlík Dam Reservoir. At Zvíkov Castle you can take a boat trip with your bikes to Orlík Castle where, after about 10 km, you will rejoin the route again in the village of Varvažov. The route is a whole day trip and it cannot be shortened.

Route No. 5 - The River Otava Route (41 km)

Písek - Devil's Path - Zátaví - Kestřany - (golf course) - Dobev - Brloh - Nedílná - Dubí Hora - Šamonice - Předotice - Křešice - Čížová - Footbridge over the Otava River - (Topělec) - Písek

The ´Otava Route´ starts at the ´Devil's Path´ going upstream along the Otava River to Kestřany. From there the path follows the streams and ponds which serve as tributaries of the River Otava. Then the path goes through wooded areas till it diverts back to the River Otava just below Písek. This is a route of medium difficulty suitable for a whole day trip.

Route No. 6 - The Relaxing Čížová Route (23 km)

Písek - Topělec - Skrýšov - Zlivice - Čížová - St Jacob Church - Nová Ves - Makov - Zlivice - Skrýšov - Footbridge over the Otava River - Sedláčkova Path - U Sulana - Písek

An easy and relaxing trip to Čížová and the nearby area is suitable for cyclists of all ages and families with children. You will get some good views along the route, in particular from the Church of St Jacob in Čížová, where you will be able to see the Písek Basin and the panorama of the Písek Hills. It is also possible to visit Makov Animal Rescue Centre, have a swim in the Otava River, and enjoy the numerous refreshment stops along the route.

File date: 26.2.2008