Cycling routes

Nýrsko – Hamry – Brčálník – the pumped-storage reservoir – Špičácké sedlo – Hojsova Stráž – Zelená Lhota – Nýrsko

The route is 50 km long with 794 m of climbing, and its highest point is at 1 072 m. It follows cycle paths, local roads and made-up tracks.

You leave Nýrsko past the Forest Theatre on cycle route 33 to Hamry. At Zadní Hamry the pilgrimage site of Křížkov is worth a stop — the open foundations of a former church. From there you carry on towards Špičák. Over the bridge across the stream you turn onto the only asphalt road up to the pumped-storage reservoir. The loop around it gives fine views.

You then join the road towards Špičák and follow cycle route 2100 to Hojsova Stráž and its views of Nýrsko and the ridge. Through Zelená Lhota you drop down to the railway, on past the waterworks and back into Stará Lhota and Nýrsko.

Nýrsko – Zadní Chalupy – Suchý kámen – Nýrsko

An easy 20 km, 80 % of it on asphalt. An ideal family ride.

You leave Nýrsko on cycle route 33 past the Forest Theatre towards Stará Lhota and the reservoir. Beyond the dam you carry on as far as Špirk, where you turn right onto route 2049. The spot gives wonderful views of Prenet, Můstek and the reservoir.

After a gentle climb comes a steeper stretch, though you will manage it even in a low gear. Then you drop down to a junction where several routes meet — we go right, towards Zadní Chalupy, where the one place to eat is.

From there a forest track takes you to Suchý kámen, a spot with lovely views of Chudenín and Koráb. A steeper descent brings you back onto asphalt and on into Nýrsko.

Nýrsko – Špičák – Černé jezero – Stateček – Hinter Helmhof – Svatá Kateřina – Fleky – Chudenín – Nýrsko

The hardest of the three, and it can be shortened. It runs on asphalt roads and the profile rolls without anything extremely steep.

Option 1: the whole route (60 km)

From Nýrsko you take cycle route 33 past the Forest Theatre, Stará Lhota and Špirk to Hamry. Watch out for a muddy stretch where the track leaves the woods (about 20 m). Then on to Střední and Zadní Hamry, from where a 2 km climb up to Špičák saddle begins.

Option 2: with the cycle bus (38 km)

You save 22 km of climbing and join the route at Špičák.

On from Špičák

At Špičák saddle turn right by the Kárl bistro and the asphalt takes you all the way to Černé jezero. From the dam there is a wonderful view of the Jezerní stěna cliff.

You then carry on past the former border-guard post to the highest point of the route. After about 400 m you will see a shelter — you are at the Bílý vodopád, the highest waterfall in Šumava. Leave the bikes by the track and take the steps down to the viewpoint.

From the waterfall you continue onto the Horizontála, which gives fine views of Hamry, Nýrsko and the Klatovy country. You reach Stateček, where the view opens out towards Prenet.

Then you ride through Hinter Helmhof, Angelmühle and Gschwent to Svatá Kateřina, and drop down through Fleky to Chudenín and back to Nýrsko.