- The Elbe Cycle Route in the Ústí Region
The Elbe Cycle Route is one of the most famous long-distance cycling routes in Europe. In the Czech Republic, it is approximately 370 km long, passes through four regions (Hradec Králové, Pardubice, Central Bohemia, and Ústí nad Elbem), and is marked as Cycle Route No. 2 along its entire length. In the Ústí Region, the Elbe Cycle Route stretches over 90 km and runs along the Elbe River through the towns of Štětí, Roudnice nad Elbem, Litoměřice, Ústí nad Elbem, and Děčín.
During their journey, cyclists can visit a number of famous sites and landmarks. In Roudnice nad Elbem, the Lobkowicz Castle is worth a visit. Nearby lies Terezín, known worldwide for its history. Litoměřice attracts visitors with its historic center, which is a municipal heritage reserve, and its pleasant atmosphere. In Ústí nad Elbem, Střekov Castle stands out as a prominent landmark above the river. In Děčín, visitors will be captivated by Děčín Castle.
A unique experience is cycling through the Porta Bohemica Valley, where the Elbe River has carved an extraordinary landscape with a deep river valley cutting into the Bohemian Central Mountains. This section is among the most impressive parts of the entire trail and offers an exceptional blend of the river and the surrounding nature.
From the Ústí nad Elbem Region, the Elbe Cycle Route continues through the sandstone Elbe Canyon around the Bohemian Switzerland National Park and on to Germany, where it is known as the Elberadweg. Set out on a bike ride along one of Europe’s most beautiful rivers and discover history, architecture, and nature in a unique blend.
The route along the Elbe, marked as Cycle Route No. 2, is ideal for leisurely cycling, and thanks to the many opportunities for stops, it can easily be divided into shorter daily sections. Suitable stopover towns include Štětí, Litoměřice, Ústí nad Elbem, and Děčín. Thanks to these shorter stages, you’ll have the chance to explore not only the Elbe Cycle Route itself but also its wider surroundings. You can easily take a detour to visit nearby places such as Mount Říp, Ploskovice Castle, Zubrnice, or the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. In addition, an alternative route of the Elbe Cycle Route is marked in several places. It is designated as Cycle Route No. 2A and generally runs along the opposite bank from the main Elbe Cycle Route. You can use it between Štětí, Roudnice nad Elbem, and Litoměřice, as well as between Lovosice and Malé Žernoseky. Thanks to these alternatives, you can discover other beautiful places along the Elbe by bike.
If you’re also interested in the stages and sections of the Elbe Cycle Route outside the Ústí nad Elbem Region, check out the website www.labska-stezka.cz, where you can learn more about other Czech sections as well as the part of the Elbe Cycle Route in Germany.
In terms of safety, the Elbe Cycle Route in the Ústí nad Elbem Region is among the safest routes in the Czech Republic. Most of the route runs away from roads with motor vehicle traffic. Most often, it is a dedicated bike path, i.e., a route without regular motor vehicle traffic. Another section of the trail runs along secondary roads with low traffic volume (e.g., through villages). A small section of the trail runs along unpaved roads or roads with poor surfaces. This includes, for example, the section between Račice and Záluží, where the trail runs for about 1 km along a forest road. A similarly unpaved surface can be found near the village of Žalhostice.
About half of the alternative sections of the Elbe Cycle Route (Cycle Route No. 2A) are designated as dedicated bike paths, while the remaining sections run along roads with low vehicle traffic or on unpaved paths. The main route of the Elbe Cycle Route is generally safer than its alternative.
The Elbe Cycle Route has an asphalt surface in most places, which is also suitable for inline skaters. They can use, for example, the section of the trail near Hněvice, in Roudnice nad Elbem, in Litoměřice, or in Ústí nad Elbem and Děčín. In terms of surface, the sections near Račice and Žalhostice are in poorer condition, as the route has not yet been upgraded there and consists of short unpaved sections. A small part of the Elbe Cycle Route has a gravel surface (Píšťany–Velké Žernoseky) or interlocking pavers (Velké Žernoseky–Libochovany).
