Eger cycle path

From the town exit of Waldsassen, we follow the signposted cycle path to Cheb (Eger). From the border, it is marked as No. 6 on the Czech side and is now fully developed up to the outskirts of the town of Eger. It goes under the bridge that carries the bypass of the historic Czech border town, half left up the short climb, then right at the top and left at the end. We cross a pedestrian bridge over the railway line heading towards Arzberg. At the end of the slightly downhill bridge, we turn right and after 1 km the main station of Eger comes into view. It stays on the right and we continue along cycle path No. 6, which eventually leads us to the right bank of the Eger. We follow the river for about 500 m and are guided to the left bank, followed by a short stretch of well-developed cycle path, the river is crossed again, then a very short climb whose end leads left. Shortly afterwards, we pass under the Eger-Karlovy Vary-Prague motorway, after another kilometer turn right over the multi-track Eger-Karlovy Vary railway line, then about 100 m uphill to the town exit of Jindrichov. Here left again, another nice stretch of cycle path and after a few kilometers we reach Nebanice with its many horse paddocks, now again on the left Eger bank. Two smaller inns, one of them a wooden hut, invite you to take a drink break. In Mostov, a narrow bridge takes us back to the right bank, we follow No. 6 to Kynsperk nad Ohri, where the path changes to the left bank; the wooden pedestrian and cyclist bridge is covered. Between the railway line and the Eger (Czech Ohre, pronounced Orsche), the path is well developed up to Dasnice. At the station there is a short but sharp climb. At the top, there is a great view of Sokolov and the huge Tisova power plant. There is also an alternative that lets us bypass the hill, but it is more of a secret tip and you miss the above-mentioned view (then better push). After the long downhill ride, we let the signs guide us through the next village, Hlavno, and head towards Citice opposite the power plant. The signs continue to guide us and Sokolov lies ahead. Here again a change of sides, the route is well developed until shortly before Loket, which is a highlight of this route. Directly on the Eger loop, you can take a great break on the park-like developed bank and take some photos. Anyone who likes can climb to the castle, it is worth it (view and town are really worth seeing)! After a few kilometers of natural forest path, we reach the rock formation "Hans Heiling". After crossing the suspension bridge, it is recommended to have a cool drink in the beer garden or something to eat. However, in good weather, a longer wait has to be expected because food is served according to numbers (self-service), so queue, order a drink, and receive a number for the food, which is displayed digitally when the food is ready for collection. Previously, the path ran through Doubi and partly on main roads through Karlovy Vary, today the path leads before Doubi on a newly built bridge to the left bank on the outskirts of Karlovy Vary. Here it goes through a small residential area before the arrow points right back to the bank. The industrial area no longer has to be passed, a new piece of path was built directly on the bank and we reach a large shopping center. As we approach the town center well signposted, it is worth making a detour to the pedestrian zone. Back at the Eger, we cycle a bit further along the left bank before the arrow on the yellow sign at the town exit points left uphill away from the river, which we will not see for the next few kilometers. It becomes a bit hillier (doable) and from Radosov also more scenic. Here, in Radosov, the path changes side again, the covered bridge with the church in the background is a nice motive for a travel album. It now continues on a public, not heavily trafficked road, Velichov is crossed and in Vojkovice we follow the signs leading us to Jakubov. From this town, it goes over a forest and field path to Straz nad Ohri. The section between Jakubov and Straz nad Ohri is now better passable, but some puddles should still be expected in rainy weather. Alternatively, the route from Vojkovice can be chosen on the left bank, which goes on asphalt to Damice and from there on the heavily trafficked 13 to Straz. Everyone must decide for themselves, but I recommend a dirty bike rather than a race track. We are on the right bank, it goes downhill with momentum and we now turn left into the inconspicuous railway underpass. Those who miss this still rejoin the cycle path further ahead. Past Straz station on our left, we must now overcome a climb, from the hairpin bend it goes downhill again. Some smaller villages must be passed, ascending and descending. From Okounov follows a rapid downhill section with two hairpin bends down to the Eger. We are in front of the bridge leading to Luzny and cross it. At its end, the signpost points right. Initially, the path runs parallel to the river; after almost 1.5 kilometers, a rock must be climbed, which compensates the little "ordeal" with a wonderful view of the peacefully flowing Eger. Afterwards follows a path that is difficult to ride on in and after rain but has no alternative. This section is quickly done and shortly after the Klasterec town outskirts are reached. From here you must pay close attention not to lose the path; the yellow signs "No. 6" guide through the town center with the impressive marketplace. The detour to the park on the right of the route is also worth a look. At the town exit, the side changes again. Along the right bank, we head towards Kadan. From here you can choose: continue on the cycle path or switch to the left bank (please note the following tip). Tip from Kadan: Leave the cycle path and take road No. 568 towards Chomutov or Tusimice, that means not right but left past the reservoir. It is well trafficked but there is a strip at the edge of the roadway that can be ridden well by bike. The advantage: you save a few kilometers and climbs and there is nothing special to see on the right bank. The excerpt on the map shows my driven variant, not the official cycle path. By the way: take photos of the reservoir already earlier at the main road. This possibility exists where the road runs directly along the lake at the level of the water protection police hut. Afterwards, there is hardly any possibility on the dam because there is heavy traffic. At the end of the reservoir, we turn right towards Nechranice (also the name of the reservoir), at the fork after about 200 m we choose the left path, which meets the official cycle path again after about 1 km, leading us left to Zatec. Calmly, we proceed on cycle paths and side roads to Zatec and arrive in this town after about 13 kilometers. Here too we have a choice: follow the cycle path via the market square or turn right at the roundabout for the following reason: I have experienced that there is neither a supermarket nor a restaurant, not even a small snack on the market square. The square itself is beautiful, but those who want to replenish supplies should turn right at the roundabout after crossing the river. This variant is also shown on the map. After about 1 km, you reach a shopping center. From here it goes left uphill at the roundabout; at the top, the cycle path from the marketplace joins the road we are on, the 225. We follow this 225, a developed road like our federal roads, for about 3 km to the height of Trnovany, a tiny village on the left, where we turn left. After another approximately 2.5 kilometers, the village of Steknik is reached, which offers a beautiful castle a little off the cycle path. Quickly a photo and then we continue absorbing kilometers; the path through the village is signposted. Another 1.5 kilometers ahead, Hradiste comes into view; the path passes a small church, then immediately turns right. This path leads us after another approximately 1.5 kilometers into the village of Strkovice; we turn left at the end of the village and reach Mradice; the cycle path continues to be well signposted. Skupice is only "touched"; here the arrow points right, and we end up in Malnice. This village is also crossed and after 2 kilometers the motorway comes into view. Before the gas station left, then immediately right under the motorway. The village of Brezno remains on the left; afterwards, the open-air museum Brezno-Skanzen appears on the left. The cycle path is top developed and signposted up to Louny. In Louny, the cycle path runs along the river or optionally via the marketplace. Well signposted, the path leads out of the city through a new development area, then to Cerncice on a newly built section of cycle path. In the past, you had to pass the villages Blsany, Velteze, and Slavetin to get back to the river; now it goes closer to it, but a section of main road must be ridden to finally reach the left river bank again at Pocedelice. After the Pocedelice passage, it goes along a main road for a while; about 2 km behind Orasice we turn right from the 246 to Volenice and at the end of the village turn right again. A beautiful stretch of cycle path follows through a small forest and after about 1.5 km goes over a small bridge over the river again; at the end, left and now we are in Radonice. At the end of the road after about 500 m, the signpost points left. We pass Patek, Stradonice, Levousy, and reach Kostelec. On this section, the volcanic cone Hazmburk rises to the left. In a forest, a model of a watermill stands; the bench next to it is good for a break. In the next town, Budyne, we slowly enter the home stretch, as the path now leads a few kilometers northeast and then turns north for the final sprint. In Pisty, it goes right, and after a few hundred meters we must endure another approx. 4 km of main road. Halfway through this section, we cross the motorway and eventually reach Doksany. At the edge of town, roughly at the level of the monastery, the arrow points left; the Eger is crossed briefly for the last time, and we are in Brozany. About in the middle of the town, we turn right onto a little-used road. At the entrance to the next town, Brnany, we turn left, after 200 meters right again to pass through the town. Shortly after, Bohusovice appears, which is also crossed, and Terezin comes into view. The concentration camp here is worth a visit for everyone who does not forget the history of this time. About 2 km behind Terezin, we arrive at the large bridge spanning the Elbe. Litomerice, the destination of our journey, is ahead. We pass the Elbe bridge on the right side because the view to the right offers one last glance at the Eger. It flows at a sharp angle here into the Elbe and with its end also marks the end of our tour. Straight ahead is the Jesuit church in view; diagonally left behind it rises the tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral over the rooftops of the city. At the end of the bridge, dismount. Straight ahead, we push our bike against the one-way street to its end, turn left, and now reach the beautiful marketplace of the cathedral city. The gastronomic offer is plentiful, so we can calmly process the bike ride again with a refreshing drink or ice cream sundae. Describing the route in every detail would exceed every frame. Maps and, if possible, GPX files on the mobile phone are the most helpful means to stay on the right path. In Litomerice, the station is located near the city center and can be seen on the right from the Elbe bridge; a return trip to Eger by train is easily possible, even with a bicycle. From Eger, it is 13 kilometers back in the saddle to the starting point Waldsassen. Those who still have time visit the baroque basilica and the library hall as well as the Trinity Church Kappl located 2 kilometers outside on the Glasberg, a baroque round building with three towers. For those who have meanwhile gotten hungry, there is gastronomy that offers something for every taste. I wish everyone who undertakes this tour a safe ride, much joy in cycling, and good weather!!!