The Ohře Cycle Path, also called the Eger Cycle Route, follows the river from its source in Bavaria to Litoměřice in Czechia. The Ohře Bike Trail guide brings together a journey through mountain scenery, spa towns and historic places along the river.
From Bavaria to Cheb
The route website presents the full journey from the Ohře’s source between Bischofsgrün and Bad Weißenstadt to its meeting with the Elbe. Its first section follows the river through the Fichtelgebirge and Marktleuthen towards Cheb. The Bavarian landscape includes the Wellerthal valley and Hohenberg Castle.
Cheb makes a useful point around which to organise a shorter trip. The route guide highlights the historic centre, its Romanesque castle and the Špalíček group of houses. The town is also the starting point of the guide’s next suggested section.
Castles and spa towns
From Cheb, the itinerary continues through Kynšperk nad Ohří and Sokolov towards Loket and Karlovy Vary. Loket Castle is one of the landmarks on this stretch; Cheb’s tourist information centre also identifies Svatoš Rocks among the attractions of the wider route.
The next section connects Karlovy Vary with Kyselka, Klášterec nad Ohří and Kadaň. It offers several different ways to explore the spa heritage of the valley: the route guide mentions the Evžénie spring at Klášterec, while Cheb’s tourist office describes the town’s riverside chateau park and porcelain museum.
Across the lower Ohře valley
Beyond Kadaň, the itinerary passes Nechranice Dam and continues through countryside with vineyards and orchards to Žatec and Louny. The route guide singles out Žatec’s historic centre and the Church of St Nicholas in Louny as reasons to pause.
The final section links Louny with Libochovice, Budyně nad Ohří, Terezín and Litoměřice. Stops include Libochovice’s chateau and the water castle at Budyně. České středohoří’s tourism guide also describes the Small Fortress at Terezín as a place to learn about the Second World War. At Litoměřice the Ohře route connects with the Elbe cycle route.
Planning the ride
The Ohře Bike Trail website recommends dividing the journey into at least five stages and riding downstream. Its Czech section is marked as cycle route 6; from the Pomezí border crossing near Cheb to Karlovy Vary it also forms part of EuroVelo 4.
Expect a mixture of asphalt, gravel and unpaved field or forest roads. The route publisher advises checking its individual stage descriptions for less comfortable or less safe sections, including traffic and unpaved ground. České středohoří specifically describes a busy road between Budyně nad Ohří and Doksany. Allow time for the places you want to visit and check the current stage information before travelling.