Exploring Bohemian Switzerland via bicycle and foot travel.
Alright, buckle up, because I'm about to take you on a glorious 4-day cycling and hiking adventure through the stunning Bohemian Switzerland National Park, starting from Jelenia Góra, Poland, and ending in Zgorzelec (Görlitz)! Let's roll, my friend.
Here's how it goes down:
Day 1: Jelenia Góra - Liberec by Bike
Our first leg takes us crushing the Jizera Mountains to reach Liberec, a journey of approximately 330km with a total of 23km on foot. We kick things off with a breezy flat ride initially, but then start a steady ascent, gazing upon mighty mountain peaks that we'll soon be taming.
We're mainly riding on smooth asphalt roads with minimal traffic, save for a few fragments along picturesque hiking trails where we'll need to carry our bike. After 30km, we reach an easy single track that takes us to Jakuszyce. Then, we tackle a steep, grueling uphill stretch, scaling 100m in just 1.5km on a rugged, rocky road. But hey, no pain, no gain, right?
Immediately after that grueling climb, we're greeted by an equally intense and long downhill blast, perfect for riders on a mountain bike with a backpack, while cross-bikers with panniers may want to keep the speed in check.
After a difficult bridge crossing, the bike routes smooth out and, for the most part, lead us gently uphill for another 55km, culminating at an impressive altitude of 1003m. We reach our destination, Liberec, almost at the same height as our starting point. The thrill of a peaceful descent into the city awaits us!
Day 2: Liberec - Děčín by Bike
Day two pushes our limits further, with an extended distance and substantial elevation gains on the agenda. It's pure pedal power as we shift gears now and then, burning through picturesque roads and jaw-dropping rock formations, like the famous Panská skála.
We begin with a 12km stretch to the hostel, thereafter tackling a massive 3.8km uphill climb, followed by a few coasts and another uphill stint, but on gravel this time. A refreshing break by the lake awaits us, and eventually, we reach the village of Kamenický Šenov.
Welcome to Panská skála, a mind-bending hill formed from basalt columns nearly 30 million years ago. The sight of these pentagonal or hexagonal structures, looking remarkably like concrete, is awe-inspiring!
From here, it's only 30km to Děčín, located near the Bohemian (Czech) Switzerland National Park. We're treated to a long, effortless descent before facing a tough, sustained climb. But, hey, what's adventure without a challenge?
Finally, we're in for a real treat: a 2km descent on a smooth asphalt road with nary a turn, reaching speeds of 70km/h! That's guaranteed to put a smile on your face :)
Day 3: On Foot in Bohemian Switzerland
On day three, we bid farewell to our bikes and hop on a bus to Jetřichovice, where we embark on the red hiking trail towards Hřensko. The trail unveils the greatest rock attractions of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, including Mariina skála, Rudolfův kámen, Malá Pravčická brána, and the famous Pravčická brána, the largest natural arch in Europe.
The journey reveals 20-30m rock formations initially, but the real magic unfolds in the second part of the trail, where massive rock reaches over 100m in height. As a climber, I couldn't help but dream of daring ascents on these magnificent monoliths. The views along the trail are breathtaking—definitely worth putting the bikes aside for a day!
Day 4: Děčín - Zgorzelec by Bicycle
Our final day takes us back to Poland, cycling through Czech Switzerland and Germany. Uphills and downhills greet us, with one of the larger climbs awaiting us at the start. We tackle a 10km warm-up before a 3km descent in the forest, dodging tricky trails and occasional hazards.
Fortunately, this challenging section is followed by smooth asphalt and good gravel trails through forests, fields, and incredible gorges in Bohemian Switzerland, ending in quaint towns deep in German territory. We pass Hainewalde Castle before reaching Zittau, where there's a beach by the lake.
After a short trip, we reached the Polish border, where we join the Oder-Neiße Cycling Trail. The trail winds through peaceful landscapes along a designated path for cyclists, offering glimpses of the border river among the trees. For the most part, the route stays away from the river itself but should still satisfy your thirst for adventure.
Finally, we ditch the trail momentarily to swim in the refreshing waters of Lake Berzdorfer. As the sun sets on our incredible journey, drying off and packing up our gear, we can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure has left an indelible mark on our hearts.
Don't forget to check out your Strava tracks after logging in on a computer, where you'll see additional photos and mapped locations of our incredible journey!
Enough chatter, let's ride!
P.S: If you're curious about other incredible destinations for cyclists and hikers, don't miss out on:
- Schneeberg—the highest mountain range in Lower Austria
- The Warta Gravel 2021 race report
- Single tracks on the Strelin Hills
- A fantastic day in the Stołowe Mountains, exploring fascinating places.
On this thrilling adventure-travel journey, we'll not only cycle and hike through the stunning Bohemian Switzerland National Park but also experience intense descents amidst beautiful landscapes, such as the 70km/h speed rush on Day 2's descent towards Děčín (Sentence 1). Moreover, Day 3 showcases a hiking expedition that reveals breathtaking rock formations, including Europe's largest natural arch, Pravčická brána, transforming our lifestyle into a memorable adventure-travel experience (Sentence 2).
