We’re both active athletes, so we’re proud to recommend you a few traditional vacation activities here, as well as something unique; something that originated in South Bohemia and you won’t find anywhere else.
Handbike
I’ve selected a few routes and locations so that you don’t have to waste time looking around. Simply park and go. And you can enjoy your handcycle on level terrain instead of hills.
Hluboká nad Vltavou
Park in the Sport & Leisure Complex right by the bike path and set out. You’ve got two options in Hluboká:
1)Hluboká – Č. Budějovice = perfect surface, absolutely level, plenty of refreshment stops during the season, and easy access to the České Budějovice town square. An easy ride or brisk racewalking training.
2)Hluboká – Purkarec = a magnifi cent route, very good surface, river, rock formations, Schwarzenberg game forests, a bit of uphill and downhill, an exhilarating ride for the more profi cient handbiker.
Try something different
The Sport & Leisure Complex in Hluboká nad Vltavou off ers barrier-free facilities and other sports opportunities.
Lipno
Just drive to Lipno nad Vltavou, park in the central car parking under the chair lift s, and head towards the water. When you reach the bike trail, go right. The route around the water is level and extends for quite a long way. For a great diversion and pleasant experience, take the Frymburk ferry (leaves every hour) to the opposite shore, where you can head into the hills among the meadows and forests.
Our tip
The Lipno Ski Resort rents handcycles. The number of cycles is limited, so we recommend an advance reservation.
Třeboň
The area around Třeboň is a paradise for all cyclists and, since it’s nearly completely fl at, it also perfect for handbikers. There’s endless beautiful routes here. Sometimes you have to ride on the roadway with cars, so don’t forget your fl ag. A good place to start is the parking lot under the levee of the Svět Pond, or even better, at the Municipal Beach complex at the Svět Pond.
Šumava
Šumava off ers up plenty of options for cycling, and it’s diffi cult to choose just one route. We decided to recommend a handbike trip from Borová Lada through Knížecí pláně to the Žďárecké water reservoir. Park in Borová Lada and look for the hiking sign pointing to Knížecí pláně and Žďárecké jezírko. You have to ride on a public roadway for just a short stretch, then when you leave the village, the road is restricted for motor vehicles with special permission. This makes for a peaceful and safe bike ride. The surface is very smooth for most of the route, and the elevation diff erences are easy and refreshing.
Try something different
When you get to Borová Lada, drive your car to the Chalupská slať peat bog. We’ll explain more later in this book.