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Amber Trail Vienna to Krakow

10-day / 9-night bicycle tour.
Self-guided or guided biking trip.
Length: 447 km / 280 miles
Trip rating: Moderate

The historical amber buying and selling routes lead from the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic. In this bicycle tour the journey traces the trail that lead through Poland, Czech Republic and Austria. Your journey starts in majestic Vienna, a city of countless historical monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Schonbrunn Palace. The cycling begins north of the Austrian capital, then follows through the winegrowing landscape of South Moravia. From here it traverses through scenic deep valleys riddled with caves, the most famous of which is the remarkable Macocha Cave, arriving in town of Olomouc, an UNESCO architectural gem. From Olomouc you continue to cycle to Hukvaldy, the birthplace of the Czech composer Janáček. Next bicycle along the foothills of the Beskydy Mountains, at last crossing the border into Poland. From here the route takes you through Osvetim (Auschwitz) and finally reaches the royal town of Krakow, another UNESCO town of historical significance and a highlight of the journey.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Stockerau - Drnholec (64 km / 40 miles)
The beginning of the route is the town Stockerau, lying on the Danube cycle trails roughly 18 km from Vienna (individual transport is possible by bike train or bus). Our own route leads through 'Lower Austria' around the start of the cycle trail 'Leiserbergweg' along undulating landscape to Ernstbrunn (Leiser Berge Naturalpark) and further through the border crossing to Hevlin in South Moravia, where there are just 13 km left to Drnholec.
Overnight in Drnholec.

Day 2 - Drnholec - Brno (55 km / 34 miles)
The cycle route goes through the wine-making region of South Moravia and around the contraversial dam 'Nove Mlyny' at the base of the communism in the spirit of the saying -“we control the wind and rain”. The Palava Hills – a Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve, will serve as the main panorama during the trip. You will pass the townof Zidlochovice with a chateau, which till the present day serves as a representative place for famous national meetings. Before arriving in Brno the journey goes through less relaxed landscape around hypermarkets and mega-parking lots that represent a change in social priorities.
Overnight in Brno.

Day 3 - Brno - Moravsky Kras (45 km / 28 miles)
The journey through Brno demands concentration and caution (Brno tries to look similar to Vienna but unfortunately this is not apparent from the cycle trails). Despite this, the first village outside of Brno is the delightful Bilovice nad Svitavou, the scene of a famous Czech opera ‘Lisky Bystrousky’ by Leos Janacek. At the end of this stage is the famous cave system – the Moravian Karst, a popular nature destination in the Czech Republic. Today’s short ride could finish in a journey down the underground river Punkva in one of the caves along with a trip to the bottom of the deepest Czech abyss called Macocha (depth 187,5 m).
Overnight in Moravsky Kras area.

Day 4 - Moravsky Kras - Olomouc (63 km / 39 miles)
This part of the trip is the most demanding not only in length but also hills (550 m) due to the Drahan Hills. Our reward will be a visit to Plumlov, a small town with a dominant but unfinished, baroque castle on a rocky outcrop and the opportunity to bathe in the cool, refreshing Plumlov reservoir. Through Prostejov we get to Olomouc, the second most famous town for monuments in the Czech Republic, after Prague. A trip to Premysl palace
or St. Wenceslas Cathedral is an experience not to be missed as is seeing the Trinity Column in the square, which was designated a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Overnight in Olomouc.

Day 5 - Olomouc - Teplice nad Becvou (48 km / 30 miles)
After sightseeing around Olomouc the trail brings you along the Amber Trail to Prerov and  from there straight to Lipnik nad Becvou (jewish cemetery and synagogue). In Lipnika nad Becvou, a short trip takes you up to the imposing Helfstyn Castle, which is unique not only in terms of area but also in its rich cultural calendar, dominated by the annual event of the meeting of artistic blacksmiths – Hefaiston, at the end of September. After the uphill journey to Helfstyn we ride on to the spa town of Teplice nad Becvou, where you have the opportunity to visit the Zbrasovska aragonite cave.
Overnight in Teplice nad Becvou.

Day 6 - Teplice nad Becvou - Stramberk (41 km / 25 miles)
From the mineral rich spas of Teplice you travel on to Stary Jicin with its ancient ruins of the same name, on to Novy Jicin with its arcade and renaissance chateau. From here you journey just a short distance to the destination Stramberk, a small town especially famous for its tower, part of a gothic castle ruin. From this tower you have a beautiful view of the surroundings. You could taste the local specialties – the so-called Stramberk ears! You also have the opportunity to visit the museum of Zdenek Burian – a famous painter whose paintings depict the Stone Age.
Overnight in Stramberk.

Day 7 - Stramberk - Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn (62 km / 39 miles)
This day on the Czech part of this route brings you to Koprivnice, where it is possible to visit the Technical museum of the old Czech car maker - Tatra, displaying many interesting, antique cars. Hukvaldy is another delightful stop on the route, which is famous for its ruined castle of the same name and also as being the birthplace of the composer Leos Janacek. His original home, now a protected monument, houses an exhibition. The route takes you through Frydek-Mistek to Tesin, where the Czech - Polish border separates Cesky Tesin and Polsky Cieszyn.
Overnight in Tesin/Cieszyn.

Day 8 -Cesky Tesin/Polsky Cieszyn – Jasienica (42 km / 26 miles)
The cycle route on the Polish stage leads through farmland and forests to the town of Jasienica. Transfer by car from Jasienica to Oswiecim (Auschwitz), the famous yet terrible concentration camp of WWII.
Overnight in Oswiecim.

Day 9 -Cycling Oswiecim – Babice – Krakow (25 km/ 15 miles)
This day allows you to spend more time in Oswiecim. The short ride is mainly flat and finishes in Babice at an interesting outdoor museum of traditional Polish architecture and crafts. Transfer by car from Babice to Krakow.
Overnight in Krakow.

Day 10 - Krakow
In Krakow you will probably want to spend more than just one day: Wawel Castle, the Old Market Square, the Kazimierz Jewish quarter, or the town walls and Royal Way could easily take a day. To really soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city you must get into cafes or pubs, theatres or clubs and that takes more than a day too... Just outside of Krakow you could visit the salt mine in Wieliczka, which has been in constant operation since the Middle Ages. It includes vast chambers ornately carved out of rock salt.