From Bechyně in the Footsteps of Famous Figures
On two cycling circuits around Bechyně, you can trace the footsteps of František Křižík and Vojtěch Lanna.
The Czech Edison – inventor František Křižík, brilliant builder Vojtěch Lanna, and Dr. Vlasta Kálalová – these three remarkable individuals left lasting marks on the landscape surrounding Bechyně. At the ancient Černice Game Reserve, you may hear the whistle of a train. But don’t expect steam – it’s the first electric railway in Central Europe, built by František Křižík. You'll encounter him again in Stádlec, where there's a castle that belonged to him and where the Czech Edison passed away.
From there, the route descends steeply to the Lužnice River. Spanning the river is not only the famous bridge in Bechyně but also a neoclassical gem – the chain bridge in Stádlec, proudly nestled in a deep valley. It’s truly unique, built by Vojtěch Lanna. The nearest similar structure is in the United Kingdom.
Beyond Stádlec, the landscape gently rises between fields and woods to Bernartice – birthplace of the world-renowned doctor with a tragic fate, Vlasta Kálalová, whose entire family was murdered here by the Nazis on the last day of the war. Peace and reflection can be found at the nearby Chapel of St. Rosalie, and after visiting the brewery in Dražíč, the trail leads through the mysterious Kukle Forest and to the lookout tower in Radětice.
You can enjoy this journey full of familiar names twice, as the route is divided into two independent circuits.
Route description:
Bechyně – cycle route 1136 – Hutě – Černýšovice – Bechyňská Smoleč – from the main road, turn left to the railway station – cross the tracks and follow the green trail – Marunka – past the Marunka gamekeeper's lodge, turn left onto the asphalt road – after exiting the forest, turn left onto a small paved road – Dudov – Skýchov – Podolí – at the crossroads turn left onto 1171 – cross the main road and continue on cycle route 31 – Stádlec Bridge – Stádlec – turn left on 31 – Křída – continue straight through the village (leave route 31) – go through the forest, after exiting turn right onto a dirt road before descending – just before the village of Dobronice, detour to the Chapel of the Virgin Mary – continue to Dobronice (here you can return to Bechyně along the river over the bridge – follow the blue trail towards the paper mill – stay straight on the asphalt road as the blue trail diverges to the right – connect with the Lužnice cycle route and follow it right to Bechyně) – otherwise, continue on road 122 – turn right on 122 – take the first left onto cycle route 31 – Zběšice – Bernartice – from Bernartice take the blue trail – Chapel of St. Rosalie – Borovany – Karlov – Nepomuk – continue straight on the road – Dražíč – turn left onto cycle route 1137 – at the Bechyně–Šternberk bus stop turn left on the asphalt road into the forest – just before the Soví gamekeeper's lodge turn right – after exiting the forest turn left to the lookout tower and back – continue to Radětice – continue on the road towards Bechyně – before the settlement Cihlena you can detour left on a paved road to the Hermitage of St. Mark – return to the road and follow the blue trail to Bechyně.
GPS coordinates and detailed information about the places along the route can be found HERE.
