Czech Republic

By bike to Milešovka and Ostrý

Plus the ruins of Kostomlaty castle

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By bike to Milešovka and Ostrý
Inserted: 24.05.2020
© gigaplaces.com
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Conquering the highest peak of the Bohemian Central Mountains by bike is a great challenge. The elevation gain is not extreme, but the last section below the summit is difficult for an ordinary cyclist to navigate, even impassable. In addition to good condition, it is necessary to have experience with riding in more demanding terrain and to have a reliable mountain bike in perfect condition. It is also possible to connect with Milešovka overcoming the nearby Ostrý and possibly also the ruins of the Kostomlaty castle.

The first obstacle

To conquer Milešovka, it is good to choose one of the days when the concentration of tourists can be expected to be lower. Firstly, because they won't get in the way so much, and secondly, because if you get into an embarrassing situation, you don't need to have too many spectators. And so I chose the beginning of November for my experiment. The weather forecast was relatively favorable, but after arriving in Velemín it was foggy and there was not much to see from Milešovka yet. I parked the car in the parking lot at the town hall and drove north on the blue. Modrá first leads along the main road, but fortunately it soon turns left onto the local road, which at the end of Velemín turns into a dirt road. The ascent is only gentle so far, the path is comfortable and pleasant. Until three cows cross the path. It would not be worth mentioning somewhere in the Alps, where cows are used to tourists. But in the Czech lands, the situation is a bit different and it can somehow make a person uncertain. Especially a cyclist. Fortunately, the cows are not in a fighting mood and let me go, a little reluctantly.

The first obstacle
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

The second obstacle

At the beginning of the forest, the ascent begins to be more pronounced, but there is still a good paved path. Another surprise awaits one of the corners, several sheep are walking along the way. Unlike previous cows, sheep divide peacefully and clear the passage.

The second obstacle
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Above Velemín

The road is relatively convenient to the crossroads Nad Velemínem. At the crossroads, the blue sign turns left and the surface of the road slowly deteriorates, there are more and more leaves and twigs on it, but up to the next crossroads (unmarked) it is still quite passable. The blue turns left here again and the unmarked path continues straight on. It's starting to tighten. The narrow path is cut into the terrain and full of leaves and wet stones.

Above Velemín
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Still in the fog

Sometimes it's better, sometimes worse, and sometimes it's more of a push. The surrounding forest is almost deserted in the morning, the fog is a bit unpleasant, but it creates an almost magical atmosphere.

Still in the fog
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Near the top

Just below the top, the sun is shyly shining through the trees, which gives hope that it could be nice upstairs and, most importantly, that something could be seen.

Near the top
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Top

There is only one more difficult, steep and rocky section to overcome (most cyclists probably complete it on foot) and we are at a wall of stacked stones, from where the road is again a bit more passable, so you can reach the top in a triumphant way. At the top there is a meteorological observatory with an observation tower, as well as a buffet (open from Friday to Sunday) and a restaurant (open on weekends and holidays).

Top
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

View from the top

With its height of 837 meters, Milešovka is by far the highest mountain and thus offers an amazing view. The top is largely forested and the view is limited to only a few directions, but if you invest a small amount of money, you can climb to a low lookout tower, from where there is a circular view (which, however, I can not confirm or refute). In addition to the many peaks of the Bohemian Central Mountains, it is reportedly possible to see the Giant Mountains, Brdy, Šumava, Ore Mountains and much more. And sometimes maybe the Alps. But it takes a little luck. Sometimes you can see nothing but clouds.

View from the top
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Downhill

The blue sign surrounds the top and continues to Černčice. It goes down much faster than up, but it's still not possible to „let go“ completely. Especially in the upper section, you need to be careful, watch out for tourists and sometimes even get off the bike. The road is very rocky, but gradually improving.

Downhill
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Follow the red light to Milešov

After less than 500 meters of descent, the crossroads is originally called „Milešovka (red and blue crossroads)“. If you plan to continue to Kostomlaty (like me), it is better to turn right and continue along the blue to the crossroads Pod Březinou. If you turn left at the red light (like me), you will extend the route by almost 3 km and you will climb more than 100 meters more. However, the descent to Milešov is a real treat. It's just a bit silly that you have to take the lost height (compared to the route along the blue) again on the road from Milešov to Kostomlat.

Follow the red light to Milešov
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Kostomlaty

Less than a kilometer in front of the village of Kostomlaty, there is a green marked turn to the left from the road, which will lead us to the ruins of Kostomlaty Castle, sometimes also called Sukoslav. The perimeter walls of the palace and two towers have been preserved from the castle, and the higher of them, which this time disappears in the fog, can also be climbed. However, only on weekends and public holidays from the beginning of April to the end of October.

Kostomlaty
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Sharp

The last target is Sharp. The easiest way is to return the same way along the road to Milešov and on its edge turn towards Kocourov on the red road. Still along the road we cross the saddle between Ostrý and Lhota and a little behind it there is a blue marked turn to the left leading to the top of Ostrý (553 m above sea level).

Sharp
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

Below the top of Ostrý

The road is initially quite passable. Later, the slope increases and the stones increase. The peak is surrounded by a stone field, thanks to which the view of the surroundings begins to open up, before reaching the peak itself.

Below the top of Ostrý
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

The ruins of the castle Ostrý

The peak is formed by a basalt rock and, like on many other hills in the Bohemian Central Mountains, a castle used to stand here in the past. Today, only the modest remnants of the walls remind him of it.

The ruins of the castle Ostrý
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

View from Ostrý

From the top there is a nice view of the surrounding peaks, including Milešovský Kloc, Lhota, Pařez or Lovoš: [https://www.gigaplaces.com/…ik-zricenin/].

View from Ostrý
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com

View of Milešovka

And of course to the nearby Milešovka, which clearly dominates the whole view. When you enjoy the view, all you have to do is take the blue to Březno and from there the road back to Velemín.

View of Milešovka
Author: Jiří Šmejkal © gigaplaces.com
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