• Cycling in the Ore Mountains
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The Ore Mountains Highway

The Ore Mountains Trail offers a unique experience of riding along the very ridge of the Ore Mountains. Along the way you will discover a rugged yet captivating mountain landscape, deep forests, unique technical monuments and breathtaking views. The entire cycle route is almost 250 km long, and we recommend allowing at least 5 days to complete it.

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Basic information

The route starts in Děčín on the Elbe and climbs up to Děčínský Sněžník. Via Tisá with its beautiful rock town, it then leads to Petrovice, where it finally enters the Ore Mountains. On the ridge you will climb to unique UNESCO monuments – first to the Komáří hůrka lookout hill and later to the mining landscape around Měděnec. You won't miss Klínovec either, which at 1,244 metres is the highest peak of the entire range. From there the route continues across the rest of the ridge all the way to historic Cheb. The entire trail is fully signposted as cycle route no. 23 and forms the backbone of the whole Ore Mountains Cycling Region.

 

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Stages of the Ore Mountains Trail

We recommend dividing the route into at least 5 stages, so that you have enough time to rest and to stop at attractive destinations along the way. In the details of each stage in the menu below you will find a detailed description of the section, tips for stops and available services. The direction of travel depends on your preferences – starting from Děčín, a demanding climb up to the ridge awaits you right at the beginning, while starting from Cheb you climb more gradually.
 

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Safety

Given the length and mountainous character of the route, the difficulty of individual sections varies. Most of the trail runs along quiet asphalt forest roads, cycle paths or roads with minimal traffic. In places, however, you pass through sections or villages where you have to share the road with cars and take extra care. In the mountains, do not underestimate steep descents and sudden changes in the weather. For the sake of safety and your physical strength, you should also think carefully about the length of each stage. Feel free to split the suggested stages into shorter sections so that you can enjoy your cycling holiday in the Ore Mountains at your own pace.

 

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Surface of the Ore Mountains Trail and types of bikes

A typical mountain mix of surfaces awaits you – from smooth asphalt on the ridge roads and compacted gravel to rougher forest sections. The route is ideal for gravel, trekking and mountain bikes (MTB). Because of its gravel sections, the trail as a whole is unsuitable for classic road bikes, but road cyclists can easily follow it with small detours along parallel mountain roads.

The Ore Mountains Trail is also made for e-bikes, which open up the ridge even to those who lack the strength for demanding climbs. What's more, there is a network of charging stations along the route, where you can recharge your bike. Find them on the online map here.

Route in the map

Stages

  1. 01StageStage 1: Děčín – CínovecThe first section of the Ore Mountains Trail starts in Děčín on the Elbe, from where the route takes you on a demanding climb over the majestic Děčínský Sněžník. You continue past the sandstone towers of Tisá to Petrovice, where you finally enter the Ore Mountains. You then ride along the ridge, climb the famous Komáří hůrka, and the main destination of this stage is the mountain resort of Cínovec. The stage is 57 km long.
  2. 02StageStage 2: Cínovec – Mount Saint SebastianThe second section of the Ore Mountains Trail starts in the mining village of Cínovec, from where the route leads you through rolling ridge country past the Vlčí hora lookout tower at Dlouhá Louka to a technical landmark – the Fláje dam. The route then continues through deep forests via Mníšek, the picturesque surroundings of Hora Svaté Kateřiny and the border village of Kalek. The main destination of this stage is the historic little town of Hora Svatého Šebestiána. The stage is 76 km long.
  3. 03StageStage 3: Mount Saint Sebastian – Boží DarThe third section of the Ore Mountains Trail starts in Hora Svatého Šebestiána and takes you up into the highest parts of the range. You will ride past the Přísečnice reservoir and visit the Měděnec mining landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main destination of the stage is the mountain resort of Boží Dar, and along the way you can also conquer Klínovec, the highest peak of the Ore Mountains. The stage is 60 km long.
  4. 04StageStage 4: Boží Dar – KrasliceThe fourth section of the Ore Mountains Trail starts in Boží Dar and takes you through a wild landscape full of peat bogs. You will ride along the unique Blatenský příkop water ditch (UNESCO), pass Horní Blatná and, via the characterful village of Přebuz, begin your descent from the ridges. The main destination of this stage is the town of Kraslice in the Svatava valley. The stage is 46 km long.
  5. 05StageStage 5: Kraslice – ChebThe final section of the trail descends into the Cheb Basin. The route takes you through the town of Luby and, thanks to side trips, offers the best of the region – Vildštejn and Seeberg castles, the Soos nature reserve with its mud volcanoes and the parks of the spa town of Františkovy Lázně. You will successfully complete your journey at the Skalka reservoir in Cheb. The total route including side trips is 54 km long.