Discover centuries-old traditions of hop-growing and historic towns from the saddle of a bicycle. The trip begins in Žatec, whose exceptional hop-growing landmarks are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among the town’s biggest tourist attractions are the unique Temple of Hops and Beer with its observation tower, the world’s only Hop Museum, and the historic town square, which has even become a favorite location for film directors.

From Žatec, you’ll set off on bike trail No. 6, following the Eger River downstream. As you leave the city and pass through the village of Trnovany, pay close attention to traffic, as the trail runs along a regular road shared with cars in this section. You’ll then enter the peaceful, flat landscape of the Lower Eger Region, passing through endless green hop fields. Along the way, you’ll pass through the village of Stekník, where we highly recommend a short stop at the magnificent local castle with its Italian-style terraced gardens. Continue on through the villages of Strkovice and Březno u Loun, where an interesting archaeological open-air museum with examples of prehistoric dwellings is worth a visit. The trip ends in historic Louny, nicknamed the “Pearl of the Eger” for its beauty. Once you arrive, don’t miss a tour of the well-preserved city fortifications, featuring the imposing Žatec Gate and the majestic St. Nicholas Church with its observation tower. For a comfortable return to Žatec, we recommend taking the regular train service; alternatively, you can extend your trip and return to Žatec via the same route.

Route: Žatec – Stekník – Strkovice – Březno – Louny

Length of the bike trip: 25 km (one-way, with return by train)

Ascent: 42 m; Descent: 92 m