From Cínovec, cycle route no. 23 follows a gentle ridge profile. The first great stop is the popular Dlouhá Louka, from where we recommend a short climb to the Vlčí hora lookout tower, which offers a far-reaching panoramic view of the Ore Mountains and the České středohoří hills. From there you continue through the forests to the biggest draw of this stage – the Fláje reservoir. This monumental buttress dam is the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic. At the dam you can visit a modern information centre, see the historic Fláje floating canal or stop for refreshments.

From Fláje the route descends smoothly through a forest valley to Mníšek and then climbs towards Hora Svaté Kateřiny. The trail passes through the quieter parts of the town, but it is well worth a detour into the town centre to the historic lookout tower on Růžový vrch or to one of the local restaurants. Via the mountain village of Kalek, which also offers refreshments, you then enter the final section. It runs right alongside the Novodomské rašeliniště peat bog – one of the best-preserved and most beautiful nature reserves in Europe. Past the Nový rybník pond you then reach the finish in Hora Svatého Šebestiána.

The whole stage has a demanding mountain profile and will test your fitness. Although you are riding along the ridge, the route keeps dropping into valleys and climbing back out, so in total you will climb over 1,000 metres. The route mostly follows forest asphalt roads closed to traffic and quiet mountain roads with minimal car traffic, which is safe in terms of traffic but physically very intense. Given its length and difficulty, the stage can also be split into two days with an overnight stop, e.g. in Nová Ves v Horách or directly in Hora Svaté Kateřiny.