Bike trip to NP Podyjí

From the Znojmo Bridge under Sv. We will begin to climb Mikuláš through Havranická vřesoviště to one of the most beautiful views of the National Park. On this line Znojmo – Hnanice there is a unique zone of steppe moorland, which are beautiful especially in autumn, when they bloom. Sealsfield's Stone is a rock wall with a view of the Dyje Valley in the Podyjí National Park, south of the city of Znojmo. The place is named after the writer Charles Sealsfield, a native of nearby Popice, who enjoyed visiting the lookout.

The Dyje meanders beautifully here

Šobes is one of the oldest and most famous vineyards in the Czech Republic. It is located in the Nine Mills locality in the middle of the Podyjí National Park. It is accessible either by the old Roman road from Podmolí or more easily from Hnanice. Thanks to its location on the southern slope of a rocky promontory in the meander of the river Dyje, it has a specific microclimate and the wines from this vineyard are among the most valued. The vineyard is currently owned by the company Znovín Znojmo. The location is ranked among the ten best wine-growing locations in Europe. In the narrowest place of the Šobes meander there is a view on both sides of the ridge, along which the so-called Roman Road leads – an old trade route connecting the Czech lands and Austria since the early Middle Ages. More interesting info: https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0obes

In the season there is an open stall with tasting exceptional wines. Just be careful not to overdo it and make your legs too heavy.

The meandering Dyje on the way from Sobes

Before you go to the castle, keep in mind that the descent to it will not be free, especially if you came from Šobes and you already have a good climb behind you. You will have to return the same way. And to hit the opening hours is quite an art. Unfortunately, the courtyard is not open to the public, so you will stand alone in front of the castle. Hrádek is a large and well-preserved ruin of a mantle-type castle, located about 2.5 km south of Lukov in the Znojmo region. Since 1958 it has been protected as a cultural monument of the Czech Republic, since 2001 it has had the status of a National Cultural Monument. It is owned by the Czech Republic and is open to the public (administered by the National Monuments Institute). The castle is located in the first zone of the Podyjí National Park.

We take a break in front of the castle gate, we didn't get further.

The village of Čížov, the smallest and only village located directly in the Podyjí National Park, with examples of the Iron Curtain, and the smallest Austrian town of Hardegg with beautiful views of the Dyje valley are among the most visited places in the Podyjí National Park. Hardegg Castle rises on a high hill above the town of the same name, which was built in its suburbs. The first mention of the castle and the town dates back to 1145. Hardegg did well for a long time, but after the Thirty Years' War it ceased to be inhabited and gradually fell into disrepair. After the devastating fire of the city in 1764, its inhabitants were even allowed to dismantle stone and wood from the castle to restore their damaged houses. Until the fall of the Iron Curtain, the town was very isolated, the only bridge to the Moravian side led to Čížov. This was also reflected in the declining population of the city. The only economic factor here is tourism.

A ride from Čížov to the lookout is definitely worth it, judge for yourself

Border barriers

We are here at the beginning of summer, the grain is ripening.

We not only love the picturesque chapels, but we also use them to relax

Mašovický lom is one of the best reclaimed places in Europe. The company Českomoravské štěrkovny received a significant award for the restoration of this site in Brussels in 2007 and received a special award for the reclamation of the quarry. This locality is very rare in the landscape, in its place lives a critically endangered newt. Source: http://znojemsky.denik.cz/…0070511.html

Almost like by the sea :)

Panorama from the upper terrace.

Tower City – we end our trip again in Znojmo and from the lookout point in Hradiště we just descend back to the boarding point at the bridge.