Cycling along the Mandava: discover the Mandava Cycle Route

The summer tourist season is slowly drawing to a close, and now is the perfect time to get out on your bike. From the Elbe Valley, you can cycle all the way to Upper Lusatia, following the tranquil flow of the Mandava river along the way, passing through picturesque villages, crossing the border back and forth, and sampling regional specialities. This is made possible by the signposted Mandava Cycle Route, which connects the Czech section of the route between the Elbe, Křinice and Nisa rivers, and continues along the Mandava as far as Zittau. This link opens up a whole new experience for cycle tourists in the Bohemian Switzerland region.

As we have already mentioned, the signposted route provides a link between the Elbe (via the Křinice Cycle Route) and the Nisa, and runs from the source of the Mandava in Staré Křečany via Rumburk, Seifhennersdorf and Varnsdorf all the way to Zittau. The route, which takes cyclists from the interior of the Šluknov Region in a direction that has not previously been continuously connected, is around 40 km long. It passes through the picturesque yet still little-known territory of the Bohemian Lowlands, primarily in the eastern part of the Šluknov Region, and through the villages of Horní Lužice. You can join the route in Brtníky (or, more precisely, at the source of the Mandava between Brtníky, Panské and Nové Křečany), then continue via Staré Křečany and Rumburk, and across the border to Seifhennersdorf in Germany. The route then returns to Czech territory towards Varnsdorf, from where it continues through German territory to Zittau, where the Mandava flows into the Neisse.

Recommended route:

1. Brtníky > source of the Mandava

During the cycling season, you can easily reach the village of Brtníky on the special tourist service T2 – the Bohemian Switzerland Cycle Train, so you can safely leave your car at home. From Brtníky, head to the source of the Mandava, which lies between Brtníky, Panské and Nové Křečany. At the source, there is a peaceful spot to sit and a spring – the ideal place for an initial stop and a refreshment.
Then enjoy the descent to Staré Křečany, where you can stop, get off your bike for a moment and walk along the local Way of the Cross.

2. Staré Křečany > Rumburk

This section offers a pleasant descent, followed by a gentle climb and descent along the Mandava River. Rumburk will surprise you with its historic atmosphere and cultural offerings, which are slowly reviving its former nickname, ‘Little Paris of the North’.
Without any prior planning and depending on what’s on, you could visit, for example, the Baroque Loreto or the town museum. For a break, we recommend stopping off at the Bohemian Coffee House, where they roast their own coffee, make delicious homemade pancakes and, as they’re cycling enthusiasts themselves, will welcome you with open arms. If you get peckish and fancy a proper steak or a brilliant pizza, we recommend popping into Pizzeria & Steakhouse Lužan or Sportlife. You’ll find both establishments in Rumburk.

3. Rumburk > Seifhennersdorf

From Rumburk, the route continues along the Mandava River to the German town of Seifhennersdorf, where the Karasek Museum – based on legends about the outlaw Karasek – is well worth a visit. Be sure to take a look at the collection of well-preserved half-timbered houses too.
After exploring the German town, the route takes you back into the Czech Republic.

4. Seifhennersdorf > Varnsdorf

After crossing the border, the route alternates between the town’s streets and greener stretches. Varnsdorf is a town with a rich industrial history, but nowadays it is worth stopping off mainly for the regional Kocour Brewery, which serves exceptionally good beer, or the landmark viewpoint Hrádek / Burgsberg.
The town itself is more of a transit point, but its location makes it a good place to stop for refreshments or a short detour.

5. Varnsdorf > Germany (Großschönau) > Zittau

Beyond Varnsdorf, the cycle route continues through German territory, where you’ll enjoy picturesque stretches along the Mandava, the well-preserved half-timbered houses in Großschönau, Hainewalde Castle and Water Fortress, and the Evangelical Lutheran churches, which are open to the public.
The route ends in Zittau, at the confluence of the Mandava and Neisse rivers, where, if you haven’t had your fill yet, you can join the Oder–Neisse cycle route.
In Zittau, you’ll find a lovely historic centre, cafés, restaurants, a zoo, and the chance to swim or relax by Lake Olbersdorfer See.

Tips on how to split up the route and what to watch out for

Time frame:

The 38–40 km route can be covered in 4–6 hours at a leisurely pace, including stops and lunch. If you wish to split the trip up, you might consider staying overnight in Varnsdorf or Rumburk and continuing the next day. In Varnsdorf, we recommend Hotel Varnsdorf or Pivovar Kocour, which also offers unique accommodation in railway carriages. Both options are located near the Hrádek observation tower. In Rumburk, you can try the excellent Wellness Hotel Lužan, situated right on Lužické náměstí, or Sportlife Hotel, which you’ll find on the way from the Dymník observation tower.

Difficulty:

After the initial climb to the source of the Mandava, the route consists mainly of a gentle descent or flat terrain along the Mandava, making it suitable even for less keen cyclists. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the Mandava Cycle Route is not strictly speaking a cycle path, but rather a cycle route; it runs largely along standard roads and some sections, particularly junctions, may require caution. The route cannot therefore be recommended, for example, for cycle tourism with young children.

Visual warning:

On the Varnsdorf–Großschönau section, the Mandava briefly disappears into a drainage system, which may put some people off; however, that’s simply how things are in the border region – the good is followed by the bad… but that is precisely where the unique charm of border areas lies.

Side trips and highlights:

• On the German side, near Mittelherwigsdorf, there’s an adventure trail for children, featuring a ford across the Mandava.
• Near Hainewalde, you can stop off at the herb garden or at Schloss Hainewalde.
• If you’ve got some energy to spare, it’s well worth taking a detour to the historic centre of Zittau or visiting the Meissen porcelain floral clock with its chimes.
• During the summer season, you can go for a swim or enjoy refreshments at Lake Olbersdorfer See.

Practical advice: how to get to the Mandava Cycle Route, where to park and how to combine transport

Getting to the start

• Trains and the T2 cycle train: During the tourist season, the T2 line – the Bohemian Switzerland cycle train – operates, taking you to Brtníky – the ideal starting point for the route.
• Buses: Regional bus services run to towns such as Rumburk and Brtníky. We recommend checking the current timetables, particularly regarding the carriage of bicycles.

Parking

• In Brtníky, you can use the municipal car park or spaces near the route.
• In Varnsdorf, you can park, for example, at the Kocour Brewery or by the church in Grossschönau, which lies just across the border.
• In Rumburk, you can park in the centre, for example opposite the Municipal Library, near the information centres or at the points where the signposted route begins.

Orientation and signposting

• New signposting for the route was installed as part of the Mandavské Cycle Paths project, which was supported by the Ústí nad Labem Region and local municipalities (Staré Křečany, Rumburk, Seifhennersdorf, Varnsdorf, Großschönau) as part of broader cross-border cooperation. You can find more information, tips and other routes HERE.
• We recommend carrying a map (printed or digital) showing the route and points of interest. You can also find it on Mapy.com

Return journey

• If you do not wish to return via the same route, you can combine your return journey from the Zittau section by train or bus (we recommend checking whether you can take your bike on board). To continue your journey, you can join the local network of cycle paths along the Neisse / Odra.

Why set off right now?

• The Mandava Cycle Route connects the Czech and German border regions, allowing you to discover the landscape and culture on both sides of the border in a single journey.
• In the context of supporting the region following the damage caused by the fire in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, making use of this new cycle tourism product is one way to help local businesses and contribute to sustainable tourism.
• The countryside around Mandava remains a relative ‘hidden gem’ – picturesque, tranquil and naturally beautiful. A trip through this area offers moments of tranquillity, views of valleys, meadows and copses, as well as an encounter with the history of places that once served as thriving industrial centres and are now seeking to build on that legacy through the promotion of tourism.