Czechia | Český les by E-Bike: 69 and 78 km into Germany

From Resort Český les in Železná I set off on a Specialized Turbo Levo 4 electric mountain bike. It was a collaboration with Specialized. The Český les (Czech Forest, on the border with Germany) is ideal for cycling: rolling countryside, forest tracks, no traffic, and the German border within reach. I describe the accommodation, food and walks in the main article about Resort Český les.

A man on an e-bike in front of a wooden wall with the sign Český les Resort — In front of the resort on the Turbo Levo 4.

A man in a helmet and glasses on a blue e-bike in front of the resort building — Ready for the route.

What bike did I ride?

The Specialized Turbo Levo 4 Pro is an electric mountain bike with full suspension and a long range. I rode it myself, and I had the bike from Specialized.

Where did I ride? Two routes into Germany

All the routes started and finished in Železná. Two of them led across the border into Germany:

First ride: 69.4 km (43 miles), 1,413 m of climbing, 3:40 h in the saddle. Strava record
Second ride: 78.5 km (49 miles), 1,211 m of climbing, 4:12 h in the saddle. It reaches deepest into Germany. Strava record

After the first ride I also went for a walk around Železná in the evening, 2.4 km on Strava. It was a pleasant cool-down walk after a demanding day.

Earlier I also did one ride from Železná through Tachov and back: 68.1 km (42 miles), 1,276 m of climbing, 4:09 h. Strava record. That one stayed entirely in Czechia.

Český les: A man on an e-bike riding along a forest track between trees, next to a pile of timber — A forest track.

A man on an e-bike riding along a forest track between spruces — Uphill on the e-bike.

A man in a helmet riding along a wide forest track between spruces — A wide forest track.

What is the route like and what to expect?

The terrain is varied: wide forest tracks, hills and quiet little roads. The climbing is around 1,200 to 1,400 metres, which is easy to manage on an e-bike. For Germany take an ID, and above all the route saved in your navigation.

Český les: A man in a helmet taking a selfie by a wooden cycle route sign in the forest — A cycle route sign.

A man lifting a rear wheel above his head, with more bikes behind — With a bike in the workshop.

Is it good on an e-bike?

Yes. With a motor you can handle even this much climbing. After the ride I had a beer on the saddle and looked over the bike.

Český les: A pint of beer on the saddle of an e-bike in front of a light wall — A beer on the saddle after the ride.

A man crouching and fixing something on a bike on the terrace in front of the resort — The bike after the ride.

What to bring and where to stay?

a helmet, gloves and water, and in Germany an ID
a map or navigation with the saved route
snacks, as there are not many options in the small villages
you can stay right at Resort Český les, in the Aparthotel or in the boutique apartments

You can rent e-bikes at a nearby petrol station if you can't bring your own. There are few of them though, so check availability in advance.

Bike rental near the resort

The e-bike rental is at a nearby petrol station, not right in the resort. When we were there they had only two e-bikes. That may have changed since, so check availability in advance. Besides the Specialized bike we also rented some other bikes. According to the sign by the window, a full day (9 am to 7 pm) costs 490 CZK (about EUR 20), four hours cost 350 CZK (about EUR 14) and the deposit is 1,500 CZK (about EUR 60).

The window of the Resort Český les e-bike rental with a price list on green sheets of paper — The e-bike rental at a nearby petrol station.

A woman cyclist in glasses and a black jacket sitting on a red mountain bike on a tarmac road between spruces — On a rented bike.

Český les by E-Bike: Two Routes into Germany, 69 and 78 km