Nature of Central and Eastern Europe
Biking is not only about visiting cities and cultural sites. While biking, we spend a lot of time riding through open countryside. Therefore, selecting routes that go through a nice natural environment and well preserved natural areas is one of our greatest priorities. The routes lead through diverse areas of fields, meadows, forests, along rivers and ponds, as well as through slightly hilly and hilly sections. We definitely avoid boring areas as well as demanding mountainous sections. Each of our tours passes through at least one significant area with the status of a national park, interesting biospheric preserves under the auspices of the UNESCO, or through regions under natural protection. Real nature lovers should not pass up the opportunity to explore the largest national park in the Czech Republic – the Sumava Mountains!
Here are short descriptions of selected regions and areas, which you can visit with us on our tours. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland – If you were out for holidays at the seaside… well, you're a hundred million years late! The Saxon National Park was established in 1990 and covers an area of 93 sq km. This territory is one of the most valuable and the core of the NP is strictly protected. It is a place where natural forests have been preserved. Together with the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, it creates a large complex of ecosystems consisting of sandstone rocks and forests with minimal human settlement. Tours linked to Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland: Prague Dresden
Borkovická blata – The peat-bog preserved part has been protected since 1980 and most of the path through Borkovická Blata leads on the wooden duckboard! The blocks of peat were manually dug and they were used for heating till the middle of the 20th century.
Tours linked to Borkovická blata: Sumava National Park
For more info check:
www.borova-lada.cz/index.php?nid=2866&lid=CZ&pic=MAIN
Borova Lada – Protected territory of the extensive Chalupska slat (Chalupska fen) with the largest and most beautiful bog lake in the Czech Republic with floating islands.
Tours linked to Borova Lada: Sumava National Park
For more info check:
www.borova-lada.cz/index.php?nid=2866&lid=CZ&pic=MAIN
Boubinsky prales (Boubin primeval forrest) – The path follows the border of the most valuable core of the virgin forest with a giant tree, the now decaying spruce was formerly 57.6 m high, its girth being 508 cms.
Tours linked to Boubinsky prales: Sumava National Park
For more info check:
www.jiznicechy.org/cz/index.php?path=prir/boubin1.htm
Certova stena (Devil´s cliff) – Protected geological formation amongst a rocky scenery, mighty stone fields and dwarf pines. Protected rocky promontory „Devil´s pulpit“, the Vltava river bed with boulders and bowl-like stones in the part called „Devil´s streams“.
Tours linked to Certova stena: Sumava National Park
For more info check:
www.jiznicechy.org/cz/index.php?path=prir/certovka.htm
Ceske stredohori (The Czech Middle Mountains) – Its characteristic conical hills are the result of Tertiary volcanic activity, which pushed up igneous rock into the form of mounds and blankets. Ceske Stredohori, due to its specific natural conditions, is among the richest places in the Czech Republic in terms of biodiversity. It is a landscape of typical relief, with orchards interlaced with numerous little settlements, folk estates and magnificent historical monuments.
Tours linked to Ceske Stredohori: Prague Dresden
Cesky kras (The Czech Karst) – Variety and wildness of the landscape to the southwest of Prague towards Beroun will appeal to anyone who is romantic at least a little bit. The prevailing limestone bedrock is rugged with karst canyons and gorges. It is perforated by many caves and on its surface, there are oak forests with an unusually rich biodiversity of the herbaceous layer.
Tours linked to Cesky kras: Prague - Regensburg
Palava – Palava lies in the northwest promontory of the Panonska lowlands. It is the warmest and almost the most arid area in the Czech Republic. Therefore, it is a good place for cultivation of vine. In this area, visitors can see colorful mosaic of arid rock grass, fringe communities, thermophilous bushes and thermophilous oakwoods on the slopes of the Devin Hill, which originated partly due to the influence of grazing. All these descriptions are characteristic for a karst forest steppe. Palava was therefore designated to become UNESCO MAB biospheric reserve.
Tours linked to Palava: UNESCO Tour; Moravian and Austrian Wine Trails; Prague-Vienna
Podyji – This national park presents an exceptionally well-preserved picture of river-valley landscape in the hilly grade of central Europe. The canyon of the Dyje River forms a unique river phenomenon with numerous meanders, deeply incised valleys of the tributaries, all kinds of rock-forms, stone runs and stone walls. The area is outstanding in its high diversity of plant and animal communities developed through various exposition of the slopes of the Dyje Valley.
Tours linked to Podyji: Moravian and Austrian Wine Trails; Prague-Vienna
Slavkovsky Forest – It has the appearance of an upland island of green vegetation and tranquility very little influenced by man. It is an impressive landscape complex of peneplain type. Vast forest complexes together with bogs represent an enormous natural water reserve that positively influences the water regime of the extensive surrounding areas.
Tours linked to Slavkovsky Forest: Spa Triangle Tour
The Sumava Mountains – The Sumava region, along with the neighboring Bavarian Forest, creates the most extensive forest landscape in Central Europe, called the „Green Roof of Europe“. Primeval mountain forest remnants, glacial lakes, mountain and valley raised bogs make this area a unique „gem“ of natural beauty mingled with traces of secular human presence, giving this lightly inhabited area a special magic and mysterious image. The Sumava Protected Landscape Area, the Sumava National Park and the Bavarian Forest National Park create a consistent and in Europe unique nature unit which is protected by the UNESCO.
Tours linked to Sumava Mountains: Sumava National Park
Trebonsko – Trebonsko has been influenced by man for hundreds of years. Despite this, exceptionally significant natural treasures have been preserved here. A large part of the area is formed by a balanced landscape where human activity is in harmony with nature. Trebonsko was, therefore, designated as one of the six Czech UNESCO MAB biospheric reserves in 1977.
Tours linked to Trebonsko: UNESCO Tour; South Bohemia Tour
Links | © Adventura 2010 recommends: Wine Tour in Czech Republic, Bike Tour Prague - Dresden and Bike Tour Prague - Vienna | Máchovo jezero
