Into Czechia

We had a reasonably efficient getaway this morning after our yummy brekky and had a pleasant ride ... UNTIL the bike path became an idyllic-looking unsealed forest path - for a SHORT distance - before morphing into something definitely NOT bike-friendly at all and had us off and on and eventually OFF as we negotiated a steep uphill - and then downhill - involving rocks, tree roots and STEPS! OMG!

Painstakingly we made it through to a proper bike track and from there we passed by Konigstein Fortress looming high up over on the other side of the river stopping just to take layers off and make adjustments to bike seat heights. We enjoyed a leafy and hilly ride to Bad Schandau near the border. Coffee and cake stop here!

Following the radweg along the river into a headwind (!) we passed into Czechia at Schmilka and on through to Hřensko where we turned away from the river and climbed and climbed and climbed to Mezní Louka. Set in a forest, this is a delightful holiday spot. 

Our room wasn’t ready so our bags were stored and the bikes locked away. We walked to the bus stop and munched our buns for lunch while we waited. The bus made short work of the road we had just climbed up by bike and we got out down near Hřensko and started the walk to Pravčická Brána. 

What a magical walk! We climbed up and up for 2 kms or so through the most beautiful forest until we reached the famous Falcon’s Nest, a holiday chateau built in 1881 on the site of a cabin made from oak bark, which served as a tavern. Originally the Falcon's Nest accommodated important guests of the Clary-Aldringen family. 

We enjoyed a beer each here  under the natural stone arch that is Pravčická Brána and relaxed with many other groups enjoying a day out.

From here it was 6 kms back to Mezní Louka and a well deserved shower. The walk was probably one of the best we’ve ever done - wonderful scenery, sandstone outcrops like the Bastei yesterday, late afternoon sun filtering in through the beautiful trees with some just starting to turn their autumn colours.

We enjoyed a few drinks on the patio outside the restaurant; the boys have discovered the radler, a mix of beer and lime. The food at dinner was yummy and we have got into the Czech specialty of dumplings - good, solid peasant food!

Cycling distance: 31 kms

Walking distance: 7.7 kms