Vltava River north of Prague: Ride EuroVelo 7

Tomas Belcik — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:48:30 +0000

Vltava River flows south to north, through Prague and merges with Labe aka Elbe River. On the northern outskirts of Prague, where I ride often and took this photograph, Vltava resumes a peaceful flow amid cliffs and romantic setting of hills, the old city near but left behind. The Vltava River has witnessed the entire history of Prague. This historical connection signifies the river as a guardian and protector of Prague’s heritage. The Vltava has been a muse for countless artists, writers, and musicians. Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic poem “Vltava” captures the essence of the river and its journey through Bohemia, but refers mostly to its course in the south of Bohemia, hence south of Prague.

The EuroVelo 7 ride through Bohemia is a scenic route along peaceful Vltava from the Austrian border to Prague, and beyond to Melnik at the confluence of Vltava and Labe, whence you can continue cycling along Labe all the way to Dresden. Add the EuroVelo 7 route through Bohemia to your list!

The post Vltava River north of Prague: Ride EuroVelo 7 appeared first on Footloose Cycling.

Ride up to Mělník

Tomas Belcik — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 15:56:04 +0000

It’s a short detour from EuroVelo 7, but a rewarding not to be missed climb to the heart of the small town of Mělník, high above the confluence of the Labe and Vltava rivers. Charles IV established Melnik’s fate when he brought vines from Burgundy to plant on its hillsides in the 15th century. Crossing Labe River off the EuroVelo 7 path, the impressive panorama of the Mělník Castle high above the river lures. Dating back to the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, rebuilt following fires in the 16th century in the Renaissance style, the castle crowns the hilltop, its slopes covered with rows of vines.

While the medieval lanes of the town and the main plaza are inviting to soft-pedal around or for a stroll, it’s from the Gothic-Renaissance tower of the Church of Saint Peter and Paul that the panorama of the confluence of the two rivers will etch itself in your memory. On a clear day, you can see as far north as the mound of Mount Říp. Following the EuroVelo 7 route to Prague, it’s 60 pleasant kilometers to the north side of the Prague Castle, hence approximately 120 km round trip, all of it along Vltava until Mělník.

The post Ride up to Mělník appeared first on Footloose Cycling.

Vltava River Archives - Footloose Cycling

Vltava River north of Prague: Ride EuroVelo 7

Ride up to Mělník