Tour description

The Iron Curtain Trail (EuroVelo 13) traces the former frontier between East and West Europe — once guarded by watchtowers and barbed wire, today transformed into one of the continent’s most fascinating cycling routes. On this tour, you'll ride freely through the vast, untouched border landscapes of western Bohemia, where nature was allowed to flourish for decades behind the Iron Curtain.

From the charming medieval town of Cheb, your journey leads through forgotten borderland villages, quiet forests, rolling hills, and beautiful viewpoints. Explore Český Les, a region of reclaimed meadows, wetlands, and hidden Cold War relics. In Domažlice, the historic town watchman still sings his nightly call, while the glacial lakes and deep forests of Šumava National Park offer some of the most dramatic scenery in the Czech Republic.

Along the way, discover the Schwarzenberg Canal, an ingenious 18th-century waterway once used to transport timber; ride above the wild upper stretches of the Vltava River; and visit atmospheric sites such as abandoned villages, old military roads, and restored pilgrimage chapels. The route continues past Lake Lipno, through the peaceful Novohradské hory mountains, and ends in the historic towns of Vyšší Brod and Nové Hrady — with an optional final stop in České Budějovice, the lively South Bohemian capital and birthplace of original Budweiser (Budvar) beer.

This tour is more than a cycling holiday.
It’s a journey through time — rich in history, untouched nature, and powerful stories that shaped Central Europe.

IMPORTANT: Due to the following dates, hotel availability may be problematic and a surcharge might occur.

Labor Day: May 1
Liberation Day: May 8
Ascension Day:May 29
Pfingsten/Pentecost:May 25
Assumption of the Virgin Mary: August 15

Itinerary

Arrival in Cheb

Show day
1 Day
Take your time to explore the historic streets and colorful houses and absorb the rich history of this extraordinary town.

Chebsko loop

Distance 70 KmShow day
2 Day
Distance: 70 km, Elevation gain: 797 m Take the train to Aš, the westernmost Czech town, and begin cycling through the forgotten tri-border zone of former East Germany, West Germany, and the Czech Republic. You’ll pass deserted settlements where thriving communities once stood. Enjoy panoramic views of the Fichtel Mountains (Smrčiny) and visit Seeberg Castle (Ostroh), with its exhibition on Albrecht von Wallenstein (Valdštejn). Nearby, the Sudeten German Center in Hohenberg offers insight into the region’s pre-war German-speaking majority, most of whom were expelled after WWII.

Cheb – Tachov

Distance 68 KmShow day
3 Day
Distance: 68 km, Elevation gain: 860 m South of Cheb, visit the restored Maria Loreto pilgrimage chapel in Starý Hroznatov — once burned down behind the Iron Curtain and rebuilt in the 1990s through cooperation between former residents and locals. Continue into the rolling hills of the Český Les, alternating between the Czech and German sides. Before reaching Tachov, you can stop at the impressive Světce riding hall, now hosting concerts and exhibitions. History lovers may also visit the memorial to the 1427 Battle of Tachov.

Tachov – Domažlice

Distance 83 KmShow day
4 Day
Distance: 83 km, Elevation gain: 1180 m A tougher but rewarding stage through the protected Český Les. Meadows and wetlands are home to rare orchids, gentian, salamanders, beavers, and storks. In Klenčí pod Čerchovem, visit the House of Nature (Dům přírody Českého lesa) to learn more about this ecosystem. You’ll ride through Chodsko, homeland of the historic Chod border guards. Stop in Rozvadov to explore the Iron Curtain Museum, and nearby see the remains of Pleš, one of the many Sudeten German villages destroyed after WWII. Finish with a downhill ride into Domažlice, where the centuries-old tradition of the town watchman still lives on.

Domažlice – Železná Ruda

Distance 59 KmShow day
5 Day
Distance: 59km, Elevation gain: 1170 m Return to the border near Všeruby and explore the Bavarian side, riding through deep forests and climbing to the glacial lake Černé Jezero. Bark beetle damage in the Šumava spruce forests is clearly visible. Descend to the mountain town of Železná Ruda. If you like, join a tour of former Cold War observation and spy sites.

Železná Ruda – Kvilda

Distance 55 KmShow day
6 Day
Distance: 55 km, Elevation gain: 1100 m Enter Šumava (the Bohemian Forest) after a scenic detour through the Bavarian Forest, crossing back into Czechia near the Celtic site of Prašily. Expect abandoned villages and sweeping mountain views. Follow a lovely stream valley to Modrava, perfect for a break at the local brewery. Continue to Kvilda — the country’s highest and coldest village — surrounded by unique peat bog landscapes.

Kvilda – Horní Planá

Distance 71 KmShow day
7 Day
Distance: 71 km, Elevation gain: 620 m Easy option: Distance: 58 km, Elevation gain: 380 m The route eases up today. Visit the Vltava River’s source near Kvilda, then cross the border at Bučina and follow the river through Šumava National Park. For atmosphere, play Smetana’s Vltava. End in Nová Pec near Lake Lipno, the Czech Republic’s largest reservoir.

Horní Planá – Vyšší Brod

Distance 65 KmShow day
8 Day
Distance: 65 km, Elevation gain: 550 m Briefly enter Austria and ride a section of the historic Schwarzenberg Canal, built in the 1790s for timber transport. After a climb, return to the wild stretches of the Vltava and visit the Devil’s Rocks (Čertovy kameny). Continue to Vyšší Brod, known for its beautiful Cistercian monastery. For an easier alternative, enjoy a lake ride and the treetop walk from Lipno nad Vltavou.

Vyšší Brod – Nové Hrady

Distance 68 KmShow day
9 Day
Distance: 68 km, Elevation gain: 1030 m Your final full stage crosses the quiet Novohradské hory, one of Bohemia’s most remote regions. Discover remnants of the old horse-drawn railway linking Linz and České Budějovice, renovated border fortifications like Tichá, and peaceful forest ponds. Stop in Cetviny, where Czech guards resisted Nazi attackers in 1938. Finish in Nové Hrady, home to a Rožmberk castle and the country’s oldest landscaped park, Terčino údolí.

Nové Hrady – České Budějovice & Departure

Distance 42 KmShow day
10 Day
Distance: 42 km, Elevation gain: 280 m Enjoy one last ride through gentle hills before catching the train back to Cheb (around 3 hours, with one transfer in Plzeň). Those who prefer not to cycle can take a local train from Byňov, 5 km from Nové Hrady (two transfers). Optional: Add an extra night in České Budějovice or Cheb. České Budějovice is the lively capital of South Bohemia, known for its vast square and striking baroque town hall.

Services and prices

Self guided tour with luggage transfer (price p.p.)
2 Persons1150 €
4 Persons1080 €
6 Persons999 €
Extras
Bike rental135 €
Gravel bike rental180 €
E-bike rental270 €
Single supplement250 €
Solo rider surcharge220 €
Premium accommodation surcharge235 €
Premium accommodation SGL surcharge310 €
Train transfere from Č. Budějovice to Cheb p.p.35 €
Booking fee30 € / group
Booking fee (tailormade tour)100 € / group
Bike lights10 €
Printed tour materials10 €

Tour datesAny scheduled tour can be made private. Your group, your dates. Go Private

No fully guided tours scheduled right now

Our rental bikes

At Europe Bike Tour, we understand that a high-quality bicycle is key to an enjoyable vacation. That's why we ensure all our bikes are regularly serviced to maintain their perfect condition. For additional equipment, please refer to the "Bike Equipment" section where you'll find items included in the bike fee or available for rent/purchase at an extra cost.

Our diverse fleet includes bikes for men and women in various sizes, electric bikes, tandem bikes, children's bikes, and even recumbent bikes upon request. If you have any special requirements or wishes, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are dedicated to meeting your needs and ensuring you have the best experience possible!

Our rental bikesOur rental bikes

What is included and what notOn self guided individual tours

  • Individual pre-tour meeting at appointed time at client's hotel on the first day of the tour
  • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions (city standard/premium)
  • Breakfast on all days
  • Day by day description with altitude profiles, places to visit and local tips
  • Official biking maps with highlighted routing (per room)
  • Detailed tailor-made cycling maps (per room)
  • Detailed town maps with highlighted routing to/from hotel (per room)
  • Step by step route description (per room)
  • Train tickets and train timetables (for tours where train transfer is part of a tour schedule)
  • Transportation of luggage between hotels between 9-17:00 (for option including luggage transfers only!)
  • Practical bike ride and safety information
  • 24-hour hotline assistance service
  • Personal travel and health insurance for participants in the tour
  • Transportation (air tickets) to/from starting/final point of the tour
  • Transfer from Prague Airport to your Prague hotel on the day of arrival
  • Transfer from hotel to the airport on departure day
  • Meals (except for breakfasts)
  • Entrance fees to museums, castles, and chateaux
  • Local touristic/spa tax (to be paid on spot directly to accommodation)
  • Bike rental

On fully guided tours

  • Specialized Bike Holidays bicycle tour leader during all biking days
  • Pick-up from any Prague hotel on the first day of the tour at an appointed time
  • Accommodation in selected hotels and pensions
  • Breakfast on all days
  • Dinners without drink on specific number of biking days (usually every other day but for more info, please contact your tour coordinator)
  • Refreshments in the supporting vehicle (soft drinks, snacks, sweets, fruit)
  • Water for bike-flasks
  • Welcome briefing on the first day
  • Maps of towns of accommodation on the tour (per room)
  • Detailed cycling maps (on request)
  • Program and detailed day-by-day description (per room)
  • Practical bike ride safety training
  • Technical service on the route
  • First aid service on the route
  • Support vehicle
  • All transportation of participants and their luggage and bicycles during the tour
  • Personal travel and health insurance for participants in the tour
  • Transportation (air-tickets) to/from Prague – starting/final point of the tour
  • Transfer from Prague airport to your Prague hotel on the day of arrival
  • Transfer from hotel to the airport on the departure day
  • Other meals than mentioned in "What is included"
  • Entrance fees to museums, castles, and chateaux
  • Local touristic/spa tax (to be paid on spot directly to accommodation)
  • Bike rental

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Full-guided trip

We at Europe Bike Tour do know, that a good bike is the most important part of a nice vacation. So we let all our bikes serviced regulary so they stay in perfect condition. Under "Bike Equipment" you can find other aditional equipment that is either in the bike fee included or you can rent/buy it for adittional funds.

We offer male and female bikes with different sizes, E-bikes, Tandembikes, Bikes for kids and on request the Recumbent bike as well. Should you have a special wish/need, do not hesitate to ask us, we will make our best to fullfill your wish!

Tailor-made tours

Full-guided tripFull-guided trip

Why with us?

With a rich 12-year history, Europe Bike Tours offers more than just cycling trips; we provide immersive "Culture Biking" experiences across the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Our tours blend the thrill of biking with cultural exploration, taking you from charming local eateries to ancient, hidden castles. We handpick the most captivating locations, ensuring each bike, family, or wine holiday is an adventure in itself. Catering to diverse preferences, our tours come in various formats, from self-guided to fully guided, with options for luggage transfer and different accommodation levels. For those seeking something unique, we're always ready to craft a tailor-made tour that perfectly fits your vision of a cycling holiday.

  • Self guided, fully guided or supported tours
  • City standard or premium accommodation
  • Tailor made maps
  • More biking options for each day
  • 24/7 Hotline with personal approach
  • Quality bikes e-Bikes

Read more about us

Who we are

Lukáš SvárovskýManager

Languages spoken Czech, English, German

Guide since 2008

Lukas was born and raised in the Czech capital of Prague. His keen interest in history and sports influenced his determination to study both subjects at university in Germany. His passion for travel also led to Lukas adding a tourism degree to his studies. Biking, exploring, and discovering interesting places was one of the determining moments when in 2010 he decided to start Europe Bike Tours. Since than Lukas is keen on developing new products, improve services and above all, share his passion for traveling while guiding one of the tours!

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Lukáš Svárovský

Vitek ProchazkaManager

Languages spoken Czech, English, French, German, Slovak, Spanish

Guide since 2012

Vitek was born in Prague, Czech Republic and has remained there most of his life. During his travel and tourism studies he began guiding mostly bike and rafting trips all around Europe. Through his years in the office of a travel agency, guiding remained an important part of his life. Eventually went of for  year in New Zealand and after returning started guiding and preparing programs in and around his homeland

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Vitek Prochazka

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Our self-guided tours

Accommodation is one of the most important parts of each trip that strongly influences the final look of it. We make our best to offer you the best possible accommodation in the prefered category. The hotels we offer are either comfortable small hotels or quite guesthouses both in 3* quality, all of it rather small and with personality than big chain. All the tours have accommodation in or near the town/village centres so you can spend the afternoon and evening after biking exploring the town itself or simply enjoy the peace of the place.

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Our self-guided toursOur self-guided tours

TestimonialsWhat our clients say about us

17 Jun

Regis Bodel

Tour Prague-Dresden Tour

Highly recommended trip!The bikes are great!The luggage transport was very efficient.There's so much to discover!Thanks to the team!

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Aaron Friberg

Tour Prague-Vienna Family Tour

This was an awesome adventure for the family. We really loved the mixed itinerary with the biking/boating days to supplement the biking. Our youngest was 12. Wouldnt want to take a kid much younger, but for our group, was a blast and would highly recommend!

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17 Jun

Brenda Martines

Tour Prague-Krakow FG

An Unforgettable Cycling Adventure from Dresden to Krakow!I recently completed the Dresden to Krakow route with Eurobike Tour, and I can confidently say it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. The itinerary was flawlessly crafted, allowing us to explore breathtaking landscapes and discover wonderful locations along the way.A special mention must go to our phenomenal guides, Ton...

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Shannon Bernasconi

Tour Prague Budapest short

No stone unturned to ensure our bike self guided tour was perfect. The support, gps and guide were all perfect as was the itinerary. Europe Bike tours are the best

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12 Jun

Iara Soares

Tour Dresden-Krakov-Warsav FG

I loved the trip! Our guides, Klara and Anthony, were always attentive, thoughtful, and caring. The itinerary was wonderful, filled with beautiful places and fascinating history, all brought to life by our guides’ excellent storytelling.The hotels, meals, picnics, and bicycles were all perfect.Thank you very much for this incredible journey!“Impressionante““Que golaço”Missing you already —> ...

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Iara Soares

12 Jun

João Augusto Martines

Tour Dresden-Krakov- Warsaw FG

We have a great time cycling with Europe Bike Tours, we hope to do another trip next year.What a spectacular bike trip from Dresden to Warsaw! The whole journey was incredible, but what really made it unforgettable were our guides, Klara and Toni, simply the best—so helpful, fun, and attentive. Five stars, without a doubt!

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12 Jun

Jussara Silveira de Pádua

Tour Dresden-Krakov- Warsaw FG

What an unforgettable ride!Our bike trip from Dresden to Kraków with Klara and Tony was nothing short of magical. Every single moment was filled with attention, care, and so much love. From the perfectly planned routes and cozy stops along the way, to the laughter, deep talks, the hotels and shared meals, everything was simply perfect.Klara and Tony, you both have a gift for making people f...

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Great trip! Lukas and company couldn’t have been more supportive or patient. Bikes were terrific, equipped with phone holders for navigation, panniers and handlebar pouch —all greatly appreciated. Not one but three apps provided for navigation, detailed trip notes and recommendations. Hotels that were selected were first rate. Been on many bike trips - self-guided and guided — and European ...

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Exceptional route, great bikes, and guides dedicated to providing the best experience for everyone. FANTASTIC! Klara and Toni are always willing to meet any professional and caring needs. A GREAT JOB! Highly recommended for cyclists of any level!

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Katherine Lofft

Tour Ohře/Eger river trail - reverse

My first time riding with Europe Bike Tours! I recently completed a guided 8-day Eger River/Spa Triangle tour, a custom route combining aspects of two other trips. Notably, our entire group (except me) were return customers, all of them having biked previously (and more than once) with the company. Their confidence in and loyalty to Europe Bike Tours is not misplaced.Guiding a tour group ov...

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