Cycle trip to the chateaux of the Bohemian Central Uplands - cycle route No. 3066

Start this trip in Ústí nad Labem, following the Elbe cycle route to Velké Březno for a stop at the chateau. While you’re here, take a tour and admire the grounds. Then it’s back on your bike and off on cycle route 3066 for a steady climb of about 7 km. You will pass through several villages to reach the highest point of the trip and then enjoy the descent to Ploskovice, where another beautiful chateau awaits. Have a look inside and don’t forget to explore the gardens and the unique underground grottos. You can also take a break at Café Páv. From Ploskovice, it’s only a short ride to Litoměřice, where you can leave your bike in the bike tower and hit the old town center. For the ride back, follow the Elbe Trail downstream, through the Porta Bohemica valley to Ústí nad Labem, where Střekov Castle awaits.

Trip length: 58 km; Climb: 429 m, Descent: 429 m

Route: Ústí nad Labem - Velké Březno - Byňov - Homole u Panny - Třebušín - Ploskovice - Žitenice - Litoměřice - Píšt'any - Libochovany - Církvice - Sebuzín - Ústí nad Labem

Exact route on mapy.cz.

Stops

The Střekov Castle is located at the Střekov part of Ústí nad Labem, the district capital. It is one of the most notable sights of the town.

Well-maintained castle ruins form an impressive skyline in the south of the town above the right bank of the Labe river, on a 100-metres high phonolite rock. The castle was built in 1318 to protect the business trail. The romantic look of the castle ruins has always attracted the attention of many important personalities (for example the painter Adrian Ludwig Richter, Erst Gustav Doerell, the composer Richard Wagner, the poet Karel Hynek Mácha and many more).

At the castle, you can see the Knight’s Hall, a cylindrical gothic tower or the 3-dimensional wooden scale model of the castle. From the restaurant terrace you can enjoy the beautiful view of the town and the valley of the Labe river. After 1989 the ownership of the castle was returned to the Lobkowicz family and it is one of the most visited sights of the town. You can also go on a special night tour of the castle.