Golden Trail (Blanice) – Stage 3: From Arnoštov to Běleč

The Golden Trail cycling route along the Blanice River starts right at the Bavarian border and, especially in the Šumava section, follows the line of the former “Golden Trail”, specifically its most famous “Prachatice branch”, once used by pack animals to carry salt into the Kingdom of Bohemia. This route is extremely diverse, and it’s no exaggeration to say that over these three stages you’ll experience everything South Bohemia has to offer: deep Šumava forests and wide open plains, foothill paths through groves, the Renaissance town of Prachatice, historic ponds of the Vodňany system, and the gold-bearing Blanice stream flowing into the Otava River.

The total length of the full route is approximately 93 km. It’s mostly suitable for trekking bikes, although there are two nature-close sections between Volary and Prachatice where you may need to push your bike – but the scenery makes it worthwhile!