COMBINED TRIPS

Bítov – Lančov – Podmyče – (Heimatkreuz viewpoint) – Vranov castle – Vranov nad Dyjí – Vranov dam (27 km / 17 km) – back by boat to Bítov

On the way you will pass the Cornštejn ruins, you will have a beer in Lančov, at the latest in Podmyče you have to think about whether you are going to stand at the Heimatkreuz viewpoint on the Austrian side or go directly to the Vranov castle. At the Heimatkreuz lookout, which is located not far from the Braitava summer house in the heart of the Podyjí National Park, you will at least feel like you are on the edge of some deep alpine valley. The Dyje River flows below you by exactly 200 meters in height. Standing there always takes my breath away. Leave the bikes at the summer house.

Then back along the same path and for a tour of the castle. You can reach the castle from above. Down in the town you stop for a beer or a pastry shop, and then it’s a short walk up to the embankment to find out where the boat is coming from. If you have time left, you can swim by the bridge on the beach. It’s not even 5 minutes from the dam by bike.

Find out how boats go from the dam back to Bítov (https://www.lodnidopravavranov.cz/, http://www.oldvranov.cz/plavby-vranovska-prehrada/) or you can use the alternative and go to Bítov from Vranov nad Dyjí by bike-bus.

Bítov – Vesce (train station), 18 km; transfer by train Vesce – Znojmo; Znojmo – Retz (20 km); transfer by train Retz – Drosendorf; Drosendorf – Bítov (22 km) / transfer by train Retz – Langau; Langau – Bítov (18 km)

Circuit for connoisseurs. You will see the most important things from the Znojmo district and the adjacent Austrian region. Morning drive through endless forests from Bítov to the train to Vesca. Transfer by train to Znojmo. You need to decide which train you will take from Retz up to Drosendorf (13:17, 16:07, status 2022) and accordingly make a program either in Znojmo, on the way to Retz, directly in Retz or all the way to Drosendorf. On the way to Retz you will see moors, pine forests, vineyards, views towards Palava and with luck you will also see the Alps. Of course, there are plenty of options for where to stand. For information, you can also take a train from Znojmo to Retz.

In Retz, you will then board the train – I recommend getting tickets for the bike in advance, it is often sold out,  https://www.reblausexpress.at – and you will take the “retro” train. Personally, I always move to the dining car and enjoy the hospitality of the Austrian winemakers.

If you are pressed for time, you will get off in Langau and go to Bítov via Šafov, Lančov and the Cornštejn ruin. You will also save yourself one descent / ascent to Dyja.

Otherwise, I definitely recommend going all the way to Drosendorf and visiting the MoKa confectionary on the square. They have great poppy seed cakes in all possible ways and many kinds of schnapps as well as various rarities. In Drosendorf there is a very nice natural swimming pool on the Dyja down by the water for rafting, which is in a pre-war style.

On the way back, you will go through the Vratěnín crossing and you can go either on the road or through the forest through Oslnovice. You can swim with a detour in Podhradí nad Dyjí for a raft.

Bítov – Drosendorf or Drosendorf – Bítov (22 km), back / there by bike-bus

The Austrian town of Drosendorf is definitely worth a visit. You can save one trip and go by cycle bus. So, such a social and sports day.

There is plenty to see in Drosendorf. Educational trail along the walls, ancient square with narrow streets, passages through the walls. Two restaurants, one on the square and the other down near Dyje on the way back to Moravia. The MoKa confectionery with a terrace on the square is also worth mentioning – see above. In the off-season, you can enjoy the atmosphere, peace and bubbling of the water near the raft in the natural swimming pool on the Dyja, where you can of course also go for a  swim.

On the way, be sure to stop in Uherčice, where there is a castle that gradually turns from “ashes” and an adjacent park. If you want to spoil yourself, stop in the Na Kotlářce restaurant.

You can find timetables here: bike-bus. If you have bikes with 29″ rims, I recommend taking a bike rack with you to secure the bike to the rack. The bike is longer and the front wheel sticks out of the groove, and with just the strap from the rack – without the extra rack – it tends to jump out of the groove.