- Ohře Bike Trail
The Eger Cycle Trail, known in Germany as the Egerradweg, offers a unique experience from the river’s source between the Bavarian towns of Bischofsgrün and Bad Weißenstadt all the way to Litoměřice, where the Eger flows into the Elbe. The route, approximately 292 km long, winds through picturesque countryside past historic towns, spa resorts, and romantic valleys. Right at the start, the spa town of Bad Weißenstadt is well worth a visit. On the Bavarian side, the bike path continues through stunning scenery featuring quiet villages, the rugged Wellerthal Valley, and past the imposing Hohenberg Castle all the way to the national border. On the Czech side, you’ll find stops in Cheb, Sokolov, Loket, Karlovy Vary, Kadaň, Žatec, Terezín, and the final destination, Litoměřice. It’s certainly worth noting that there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites directly along the route: the spa town of Karlovy Vary and Žatec, the center of the hop-growing region. Embark on a journey filled with nature, historical sites, and pleasant stops along the Eger River.
For a cycling vacation along the Eger, we recommend dividing the route into at least 5 stages.
This will give you plenty of time to explore not only the route itself but also the tourist attractions along the way, as well as local services and regional products. In the details for each stage in the menu below, you’ll find a description of the stage as well as tourist attractions and services along that section. We recommend cycling the Eger Cycle Trail in the direction of the river’s flow. In this direction, the route is mostly downhill (route profile). Of course, it is also possible to cycle the route against the flow of the Eger River, but you’ll climb more elevation in this direction than if you ride downstream. The signage for the Eger Cycle Route differs between the Czech Republic and Germany. Both types of signage are gradually being supplemented with the Czech-German “Eger Cycle Route” logo.
Safety is undoubtedly a key concern for cyclists. Given the route’s length (nearly 300 km), individual sections vary in terms of safety and comfort. In many places, the route runs along a dedicated bike path or a road without regular motor vehicle traffic. However, there are also sections that are still awaiting the construction of new, more comfortable, or safer routes (a separate bike path or surface improvements), and extra caution is therefore necessary in these areas. Please pay attention to the detailed descriptions of the individual stages below, which include warnings about less safe sections—both in terms of motor vehicle traffic and unpaved surfaces. The route is being developed gradually and is becoming safer and more comfortable year by year.
The surface of the Eger Bike Trail is varied and diverse, ranging from asphalt to pleasant gravel paths to unpaved field and forest trails. The Eger Bike Trail is suitable for almost all types of bikes, from mountain bikes to touring bikes to gravel bikes. In some places, the terrain is unsuitable for road bikes, but even road cyclists will find sections of the route along the Eger River that suit them.
