Cycling day trip from Horní Planá to Loučovice

This bike route takes you from the quiet lakeside town of Horní Planá to the adventure hub of Loučovice, winding through the forests and hills of South Bohemia. You’ll cover just under 43 km, so plan for about 4-5 hours with breaks. The journey starts near the beautiful Lipno Reservoir in Horní Planá—this area is famous as the birthplace of writer Adalbert Stifter and boasts some gorgeous lakeside scenery.

You’ll climb and descend a fair bit (over 800 meters up and down), rolling through a mix of paved and gravel tracks. Expect a bit of everything: forested trails, peaceful cycleways, and quiet country roads. Definitely bring a bike that can handle some rougher patches—almost a fifth of your route is unpaved.

After plenty of fresh air and forest views, you’ll drop down toward Loučovice. This small town is well-known for its proximity to the roaring Devil’s Rapids (Čertovy proudy) on the Vltava River, a mecca for kayakers. Treat yourself to a coffee or local Czech snack—you’ve earned it!