HALT AWHILE WITH SCHWEIK

in the footsteps of the Good Soldier Schweik on bike, exploring the local traditions, beer and regional products

All the same he went steadily forward, for no good soldier can allow a Milevsko to stop him from getting to Budějovice. Therefore, you should also start your one day cycling trip in style, in the region of Milevsko. We would advise you to take a morning train from Písek (running without problems or restrictions at weekends as well). The journey is direct and fairly comfortable; bicycles can also be transported without any problems. A train can also be taken from Tábor (Ražice - Tábor line). The route following Schweik´s march is not very demanding and it is an easy ride on road surfaces. Cycling enthusiasts can easily make it more demanding by consulting, for example, the maps issued by the Czech Tourists Club (maps nos. 39 and 71).

Route: 12 halts, 42 km
Milevsko - Květov - Kučeř - Zvíkovský most - Zvíkovské Podhradí - sv. Anna - Oslov - Vlastec - Vrcovice - U Caisů - U Sulana - Písek

Route description:

Start of the route, halt 1 (0 km): Milevsko

• If you get here early in the morning, have a coffee and breakfast in the Buffet in the square or in the café situated in the former courthouse. You can also buy milk directly from the producers, if you use the vending machine located in the square. If you wonder what to do in Milevsko, go the chapter on MILEVSKO for more information.

Halt 2 (9 km): Květov

• To reach the village, you should leave Milevsko following the 115 road towards Písek and when you pass the Milevsko sign you should take the turn to Rukáveč. The quiet road (cycling route 1152) will take you all the way to Rukáveč. You will go through an alley of oak trees, but mostly you will be going through a wood and a game preserve which starts near Rukáveč. When you leave the village, follow your nose till you reach a crossroads. Go towards Květov; the sign points to a Tyrolean house. Go all the way to Květov. Once you pass village name, you will see a cellar on your right in the slope where Schweik spent the night opposite a log cabin. For more information, see the chapter on Květov.

Halt 3 (13 km): Kučeř

• From Květov follow the sign to Kučeř. Schweik did not follow this route (on the other hand, who knows?), but you might like to do it as this is a place to get some refreshments. The local shop is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 am to 4 pm, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 am - 11 am, and on Saturdays from 7 am to 10 am. If in dire need, ring +420 602 154 771, and the nice manager will not let you die of hunger or thirst.

Halt 4 (17 km). Zvíkov Bridge

• From Kučeře follow the 121 road and from the crossroads head towards Zvíkov, following the Vltavská cycling route. The Zvíkov bridges (and there are really two of them - one across the Vltava river and one crosses the Otava river below the village of Zvíkov. On this route you will be crossing the bridge across the Vltava) were built in the 1950s because of the Orlík dam. It was a free cantilever construction which at that time was quite revolutionary.

Halt 5 (19 km): Zvíkov Village

• Leaving Zvíkov Bridge you will have some work to do but you will be rewarded with a 2 km long downhill stretch. It is impossible to miss your stop, Zvíkov, as all the signs point you in that direction. There is an information centre, a brewery and superb Czech cuisine labelled Czech Specials to be found in the village. You might like to visit the castle, which is 3 km below the village, perched over the Orlík dam.

Halt 6 (23 km): St Anne's

• From Zvíkov go straight on and follow the Vltavská cycling route. You will come to a crossroads by a pond, turn to St Anne's (cycling route 1149). The path will take you to a poetic place which has been named after the church, but even more important there is a quiet bay ideal for swimming.

Halt 7 (26 km): Oslov

• From St Anne's go back to the crossroads by the pond and take the 138 road to Oslov. There are several peasant baroque style houses in the village, the Church of St Linhart and a historical stone column which used to be a sign post. The local pub is open daily from 6 pm to 10 pm and on Sundays from 2 pm to 6 pm. There is also a shop in Oslov but it is open only in the mornings. It might be wise to buy your drinks in Zvíkov.

Halt 8 (30 km): Vlastec

• From Oslov follow your nose all the way to Vlastec where you can get some refreshments in the local pub - open Monday to Saturday from 5 pm onwards. If you are tired, you can board a train here which will take you back to Písek. Fans of organic produce will love the Pstruhy farm (2 km from Vlastec) where one can buy BIO milk, cheese and eggs.

Halt 9 (35 km): Vrcovice

• From Vlastec continue straight on to Záhoří through the lower part of the village (lovely ice cream is served here) all the way to the main Tábor- Písek road. Avoid the busy road and turn to Vrcovice. You will pass a silo and go through the village of Svatoňovice (path no. 1151) and eventually you will drop down the hill to Vrcovice. Time to take the train again and make the journey a bit shorter. Buy some regional dairy products at the U Cibochů famr (just ring the bell at house no. 6 and take home some homemade cheese, yoghurt and cottage cheese).

Halt 10 (37 km): U Caisů

• Take route no. 1151 taking you through the fields from Vrcovice. The path starts on the top of the hill above the village and it will take you down the hill to the pub U Caisů. The pub is open throughout the summer season (June, July, August) and you might be tempted by the well served beer and the peace and quiet of the Otava river. The pub is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. The owner of the pub is very obliging and he will be pleased to prepare dinner for you. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to book a meal in advance on +420 775 266 933.

Halt 11 (41 km): U Sulana

• If you have given in and had an alcoholic drink at U Caisů, do not despair. Písek is not far away and you can walk your bike instead of riding. You will be going up the river following trail no 1225 (marked as Otavská cycling route). The last stop before Písek is in another picturesque pub U Sulana. If you are travelling on Friday or Saturday, the smell of baked mackerel will tempt you from far away. Enjoy the river for a bit longer and then head towards nearby Písek.

And finally, halt 12 (42 km): Písek

In addition to the information centres in Milevsko and Písek, you can also find on this route:
Infocentrum Zvíkovské Podhradí
Hotel Zvíkov, CZ-39701
E-mail: recepce@hotelzvikov.cz
Telefon: +420 382 285 659
www.zvikovskepodhradi.cz

File date: 5.11.2010