The Pardubice Region is located in the Polabská Lowland, making it an ideal area for cycling tourism. Together with its neighboring region, Královéhradecký, it offers many cycling routes and paths suitable for all age groups. Thanks to its mostly flat terrain, the area is perfect even for trips with children. The region is also home to numerous historical sites, ideal for enriching your trips.

1. AROUND PARDUBICE

  • Main points on the route: Pardubice – Lázně Bohdaneč – Hrobice – Kunětická hora – Pardubice
  • Route length: 37 km
  • Difficulty: flat terrain, suitable for children
  • Options along the route: refreshments, sights, walks
  • Note: suitable for bike trailers, it is a circular route

Pardubice – Lázně Bohdaneč

The route starts in the city center at Masaryk Square, where you enter the bike path along Hradecká Street. After crossing the Labe River via the bridge, turn left after the bridge and follow the path along the river. Then join route no. 4200, which turns right after about a kilometer. Passing through the Rosice city district, you’ll head toward Semtín. After encountering a main road intersection, turn left where a bike path runs parallel to the road. This is route 4193, leading to the charming town of Lázně Bohdaneč. Here, I recommend stopping for ice cream on the square and relaxing at Masaryk Square. If you have time, the spa park is also worth a walk.

Lázně Bohdaneč – Hrobice

Following route 4093, head towards Stéblová. Continue towards the station and join the yellow tourist trail. Then proceed to the village of Hrobice, located north of Pardubice.

Hrobice – Kunětická hora

Once in Hrobice, follow bike route no. 4124, then switch to the bike path towards Němčice. Pass through the village until reaching another section of the bike path, leading to the ranch under Kuňka. Here you’ll find horse enclosures and animal pens. Continuing along the route, you'll reach the Pod Kunětickou horou restaurant, located just a few meters from the ranch. I recommend a short break here, as there are more animals nearby. As the restaurant name suggests, it's located directly beneath Kunětická hora. I definitely recommend visiting the hill. The road up is paved and uphill but not too steep. You can leave your bike at the restaurant or push it up – cycling is prohibited on the ascent.

Kunětická hora – Pardubice

In the second half of the route, you’ll return to the capital of the Pardubice Region. Continue along route no. 4124 until Ráby, then turn left onto route no. 2, which will lead you back to Pardubice along a beautiful cycle path beside the Labe River. This route leads to the footbridge over the Labe. After crossing it, you'll find yourself at Pardubice Castle. Route no. 2 continues directly to the castle. Here, you can explore the castle gardens, offering beautiful views of Pardubice’s center. From the castle, continue to the city center. Route no. 2 turns onto Kostelní Street, but continue straight to Pernštýnské Square. From there, proceed along Třída Míru to the intersection at Masaryk Square, where your route ends.

You can start and finish the Pardubice surroundings cycle route at any point on the trail. It’s up to you which spot is closest. It’s a full-day, easy route with plenty of refreshment stops and walking options.

2. HRADUBICKÁ LABE CYCLE PATH, SECTION PARDUBICE – HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ

  • Main points on the route: Pardubice – Kunětická hora – Dříteč – Opatovice nad Labem – Vysoká nad Labem – Hradec Králové
  • Route length: 16 km (round trip 32 km)
  • Difficulty: flat terrain, easy route
  • Options along the route: refreshments, Kunětická hora, Labe River
  • Note: not a circular route

This cycle path between Hradec Králové and Pardubice follows the Labe River. It is a newly built section of the Elbe Route leading from the Elbe's source along its banks through Czechia and Germany to its mouth in the North Sea. The total length of the route is 4,211 km.

The cycle path runs along the left bank of the Labe River and is mainly used for recreational rides.

This section is 16 km long and is multipurpose. It is suitable not only for cyclists but also for pedestrians and inline skaters. Twelve municipalities are connected along this trail section.

Route description:

The starting point in the image is marked at Hradec Králové, but the path is bidirectional, so you can also start from Pardubice. If starting from Pardubice, your journey begins in the Cihelna district by connecting to route no. 2. Stay on route no. 2 throughout the entire ride, as this is the designation of the entire international route section. Along the Labe River, with views of Kunětická hora, ride to Ráby and continue to Němčice (optionally stopping at the Pod Kunětickou horou restaurant or taking an easy climb to Kunětická hora). You can also join the cycle route from nearby villages – Sezemice, Kunětice, Hrobice. Cross the bridge at Němčice and continue along the river to Dříteč. Here, you’ll follow local roads past the wastewater treatment plant, then return to the river trail at Bukovina nad Labem. Cross the bridge to the right bank of the river and follow farm roads past the Opatovice power station, under the R35 road, and into Opatovice nad Labem. Continue to the bridge over the Labe in the village of Vysoká nad Labem. The final 5 km section starts at the weir in Vysoká nad Labem and runs alongside the river to the Třebeš district of Hradec Králové, ending at the confluence of the Labe and Orlice rivers, where this Hradubická cycle route section ends.

3. PARDUBICE LABE CYCLE PATH, SECTION PARDUBICE – TÝNEC NAD LABEM

  • Main points on the route: Pardubice – Valy – Přelouč – Řečany nad Labem – Kladruby nad Labem – Trnávka – Chvaletice – Týnec nad Labem
  • Route length: 34 km
  • Difficulty: flat terrain, easy route
  • Options along the route: refreshments, towns, UNESCO Kladruby nad Labem, Labe River
  • Note: not a circular route

Like the route mentioned above, this is a newly built section of the international cycle route no. 2, leading from the Elbe’s source through Czechia and Germany to its mouth in the North Sea. This section is 34 km long and connects ten municipalities.

Route description:

The trail starts in Pardubice in the village of Svítkov. From there, ride to the village of Srnojedy, where the path runs along the left bank of the Labe River to the village of Valy near the river bridge. Continue close to the Labe River, and roughly halfway through the route, the path diverts toward the railway corridor, running alongside the tracks to Tovární Street in the town of Přelouč. Continue into the center. From Přelouč, the route leads again along the Labe River to the bridge near the village of Semín. Continue on the left bank past Labětín to the village of Řečany nad Labem. From here, you can continue north to the Kladruby nad Labem National Stud Farm (UNESCO site) or south to the village of Trnávka. From Trnávka, continue along the railway corridor, through the town of Chvaletice, along the river, and finally to Týnec nad Labem, where this cycle route section ends.

4. EASY CYCLING ROUTE “TO BÁRA AND BACK”

  • Main points on the route: Chrudim – Slatiňany – Podhůra – Rabštejnská Lhota – Kochánovice – Slatiňany – Chrudim
  • Route length: 18 km
  • Difficulty: flat terrain, suitable for children
  • Options along the route: refreshments, rest stops, fun for children, viewpoint
  • Notes: recommended for trekking bikes, the route can be extended from Pardubice (or use a cycle bus)

­Chrudim – Slatiňany

From Chrudim, follow route 4112 along the Chrudimka River to Slatiňany. Pass by the castle and adjoining stud farm to reach the castle park. I recommend getting off the bike and walking through the castle park. Inside the park, you’ll find a Przewalski's horse enclosure.

Slatiňany – Podhůra Forests – Rabštejnská Lhota

After the park walk, continue along the route. You'll reach the intersection of cycling route 4112 and the green hiking trail. Continue towards Švýcárna via Kočičí hrádek – a miniature Gothic castle, great for a stop with kids.

From Švýcárna, follow the blue trail towards Rabštejnská Lhota until you reach the intersection of the blue and yellow trails. Continue along the yellow trail to the Bára lookout tower. Definitely stop here and enjoy the view – on a clear day, you might see the Krkonoše Mountains. Refreshments and a rope park are also available nearby.

Rabštejnská Lhota – Kochánovice

Then return to the blue and yellow trail intersection. Now follow the blue trail towards Rabštejnská Lhota. In the woods before Rabštejnská Lhota, you’ll find the natural monument "Na Skalách". I recommend walking around the rock formations. Then get back on your bike and shortly after, at the intersection, follow the yellow trail towards the Perný Pond intersection. From there, take cycling route 4177 towards the Kochánovice intersection.

Kochánovice – Slatiňany – Chrudim

Continue along 4177 to Slatiňany and the Monako restaurant. This is a charming forest restaurant with beautiful views, ideal for a final break before returning to Chrudim. From there, follow cycling route 4122 back to Chrudim.

5. BEAUTY OF PODHŮRA

  • Main points on the route: Chrudim – Slatiňany – Podhůra – Rabštejnská Lhota – Sobětuchy– Chrudim
  • Route length: 20 km
  • Difficulty: easy terrain
  • Options along the route: refreshments, rest stops, fun for children, viewpoint
  • Notes: recommended for trekking bikes, can be extended from Pardubice (or use a cycle bus)

This route is similar to the previous one but extends into the recreational Podhůra forests for more detailed exploration.

Chrudim – Slatiňany

From Chrudim, follow cycling route 4112 along the Chrudimka River to Slatiňany Castle. Like before, I recommend a walk through the castle park. Continue until you reach the rear entrance of the park, where the cycling route 4112 intersects with the green hiking trail.

Slatiňany – Podhůra (Lookout Tower Na Chlumu)

Continue towards Švýcárna. From there, take the green trail to the intersection near the Na Chlumu lookout tower. Just a few meters from the intersection is the remains of the former lookout tower Na Chlumu – it’s worth a look. From the intersection, continue straight to the intersection with cycling route 4185. Follow this route towards Chrudim. At the intersection with the blue hiking trail, follow the blue trail towards Rabštejnská Lhota, and then at the blue and yellow trail intersection, follow the yellow trail to the Bára lookout tower and the rope park. The lookout tower not only has a unique design but also offers great views – on clear days, you can see the Krkonoše Mountains. Refreshments are available here as well.

Podhůra – Rabštejnská Lhota – Sobětuchy – Chrudim

From the Bára lookout tower, follow the yellow trail towards Perný Pond. Continue along the yellow trail towards Rabštejnská Lhota. At the end of Rabštejnská Lhota, you'll reach a right-hand bend onto a paved path. Follow this path until it merges with route 4111. Pass through Sobětuchy and Vrcha, following this road back to Chrudim.

6. VISIT TO KONOPÁČ – a loop for trekking bikes

  • Main points on the route: Chrudim – Sobětuchy – Čejkovice – Janovice – Holičky – Heřmanův Městec – Konopáč – and back
  • Route length: approx. 36 km
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Options along the route: refreshments, swimming pool
  • Notes: suitable for trekking bikes

Route description:

From Chrudim, head along cycling route 4111 through Sobětuchy to Čejkovice. Follow the green tourist trail via Janovice and then cycle route 4179 to Holičky (here you can have refreshments at Holičky Farm – Slunečný dvůr). Continue on cycling route 4179 through Radlín to the square in Heřmanův Městec. I recommend visiting the Jewish synagogue from the first half of the 18th century (note: open by appointment in season). Follow cycling route 4127 to the main destination, Konopáč. At the campsite, enjoy the natural swimming pool with a water slide and have a meal at the local restaurant. Once rested, return via the green trail to the class III road onto 4111 and through Sobětuchy back to Chrudim.

CYCLE BUS

The cycle bus from Chrudim (or Pardubice) to Nasavrky, Seč, and back runs on weekends and public holidays from May to the end of September. The line is operated by Veolia Transport East Bohemia, Inc.: tel.: 469 660 811, e-mail: info.vychodnicechy@veolia-transport.cz, www.veolia-transport.cz. Timetables can also be found at www.chrudimsky.navstevnik.cz or obtained directly at the Information Centre in Chrudim: tel.: 469 645 821, e-mail: info@chrudim-city.cz, skype: navstevnik.cz.