Ridge Trail
This loop route follows the ridge of the Javorník Highlands. Expect polished all-mountain descents from Mount Javorník, a ride to Royal Stone (Královský kámen), an enduro-style downhill from Pustý hrádek and Sedlo Hill, and playful singletracks along the Žďánov ridge, Nadějov, and a final "green" trail above Tejmlov. The lookout towers on Javorník and Sedlo will captivate you with their panoramic views, while the medieval Kašperk Castle will amaze you with its majesty and rich history.
Total length
33 km
Duration
approx. 2.5 hours
Terrain
unpaved
Recommended period for visiting
summer, dry spring and autumn
Difficulty level
hard
Route description
Start in Javorník, taking the back forest path to the Chapel of St. Anthony. From there, climb to the summit and the lookout tower. Then comes a fantastic descent above Krankoty, crossing a clearing and reaching a gravel road beneath the Žďánov ridge. Turn left on the gravel and after a few hundred meters follow the red hiking trail sharply right uphill to the Chapel of St. John. Continue along a ridge singletrack, then a forest path up to the summit of Žďánov (1064 m). Just after the summit (right at the start of a steep descent), about 20 meters off the trail to the right, there's a beautiful viewpoint over the landscape between Sušice and Strakonice.
⚠️ The following descent on the forestry road is steep – extreme caution is advised! When you exit the forest onto a gravel road (near reconstructed cellars from the now-vanished village of Žďánov), continue downhill towards Kašperk. Cross the road, and after the hamlet of Žlíbek, turn left toward Pustý hrádek.
At Pustý hrádek you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view of the Šumava mountains and Kašperk Castle rising directly before you. Then comes a hardcore enduro section – if you're not a technically advanced rider, it’s best to walk it! :-) From Kašperk, take the paved road to the right “as if” returning to the castle parking, and at the end of the climb (forest on the left, meadows on the right), turn left toward Nadějov. Ride trails over the twin-peaked Nadějov ridge, a short trail under Sedlo, and connect to a gravel road toward Záluží. At the forest's edge, turn right uphill, first through forest then over meadows, reaching the guesthouse "Pod Sedlem" in Albrechtice. From there, climb to Sedlo and descend on an enduro ERZ trail back to the gravel road below Sedlo, continuing back toward Kašperk–Javorník.
You’ll first face the “choking meadow climb,” then continue through forest below Kašperk and along a gravel–asphalt–gravel section back to the crossroads beneath Žďánov. Turn left here, climb below Žďánov, and at the correct turn take the forest path up to a clearing. Ride the trail in the opposite direction past the summit rocks, following the ridge back to the Chapel of St. John. From there, descend to the gravel road, then continue down on the red trail and climb up to Royal Stone (Královský kámen).
From there it’s easy – either take the flowing blue descent above Krankoty or the technical red enduro line (again, recommended only for experienced riders with long-travel bikes!). Both options join at Krankoty on the red trail, which leads via a forest gravel path to Krásná vyhlídka ("Beautiful Viewpoint"), and from there along the green trail at the forest edge to the final scenic singletrack above Tejmlov, and then along the road back to Javorník.
