The connection between Vranov and Čížov (via Zadní Hamry and the Větrník Hill) enables holiday-makers in Vranov to get to the heart of the national park as quickly as possible without risking the unpleasant road of the Vranov serpentines with a rather dense car traffic. The second connection between Vranov and Čížov, across the dam of the Vranov Lake, through the Swiss Valley to the village of Lesná and over Větrník hill is longer after all, and it can be used for example as a return journey.

Besides the well-known tourist marking, within the territory of Podyjí NP the cycling trail marking was made by the Club of Czech Tourists, which, unlike the marking for hikers, have their stripes not white but yellow-and-brown, and are more noticeably bigger. On some broad and busy roads (such as Čížov - Hardegg, Lukov - Nový Hrádek or the road through the Šobes vineyard) there is a concurrent hiking and cycling trail, but mostly, pedestrian and bicycle tracks are separated. On the hiking paths, where the bicycle traffic is clearly undesirable (the 1st and 2nd zone of the National Park), they are marked with a smaller prohibitory sign not permiting the cyclists to enter the paths.

The trail is far from recommendable to everyone, it is only suitable for physically capable cyclists on well-tuned mountain bikes. In less than 2 km from the river Dyje to Windmill, it overcomes the elevation of almost 200 meters. The surface of the road is not asphalted, so after the heavy rain or the snow melting, even those most able-bodied will not be able to ride up (or down) the hill.

Trail difficulty: extreme crossfall

Three route options:

1. Along Cycling Trail No. 48 across the dam of the Vranov Lake and through the village of Lesná
2. Along the main road through Lesná and Horní Břečkov (very dense road traffic)
3. Along Cycling Trail No. 5122 through Zadní Hamry (the steepest climb in the area of Ice Caves). Otherwise, this path is one of the prettiest and shortest - about 14 km (about 2 km) along the river Dyje (nowhere else possible in the National Park).

Vranov – Hardegg: a whole-day cycling trip

We recommend you to visit the Hardegg Viewing Platform before crossing the border /both pedestrians and cyclists/, the Nový Hrádek ruins, and in Čížov the building of the Podyjí National Park Centre with the expositions and information about the National Park.

From Vranov nad Dyjí along the yellow cycling trail (Six Towns Route) to Lesná, from there along the same cycling trail to Horní Břečkov and Lukov, here follow the green cycling trail (Podyjí National Park), to the signpost of Písky, then along the cycling trail No. 5002 to Nový Hrádek, again along the same path to the signpost of Písky, along the green trail to Čížov (possibility to go to the Hardegg Viewing Platform, seeing the Visitors' Centre of the Podyjí National Park in Čížov) and from there along the cycling trail No. 48 through Větrník to the road, then along the yellow cycling trail back to Vranov nad Dyjí.

Length of the Route: 31 km