Malšín Road Loop

From Lipno you head along the reservoir towards Frymburk – the first few kilometres are easy, your body warms up and you still think this is going to be a breeze. From Frymburk a proper climb up Malšín (905 m) is waiting for you. Steep, nasty in places, but all around you there's nothing but cows, quiet and hardly any cars. If you don't give up and grind your way to the top, the view will wipe out all the pain in your calves. At the top you'll find Malšínská Hospůdka – stop here, you've earned it.

And then it comes. The descent to Vyšší Brod is almost free – a reward for every metre you pedalled up. A beautiful wide road with perfect tarmac. Hardly any cars. This is where it really flies, and it's all payback. In Vyšší Brod it's worth riding past the monastery, then you jump onto the path along the Vltava through Loučovice. Mandatory stop at Café Spiro – river views, coffee and a moment of calm before the last stretch back to Lipno. It stings a little by the power station, but after that great espresso at Spiro you'll make it easily.

The whole route is on tarmac. This is road bike territory.