Rychlebské stezky (Rychleby Trails)

Rychlebske stezky (Rychleby Trails) is a large, purpose-built mountain bike trail centre in the Rychleby Mountains of the Czech Republic, based around the village of Černá Voda. Around 20 named trails, climbs and loops fan out from the base here, from family-friendly blue routes to technical black and red trails and two expert-only lines, adding up to roughly 45 km of riding once the easier network and the flagship Superflow loop are combined. Trails are built as closed, one-way circuits and ride well even in wet weather. The base also runs a bike hire and repair shop, a bike cafe, a mountain bike school, and a bouldering rental service covering the granite boulders scattered through the surrounding forest.

The Trails

Rychlebske stezky trails start and finish at the Base (Zakladna) by the Information Centre in Černá Voda, and are built as closed, one-way circuits so riders never have to double back. Trails are graded on the venue's own colour system rather than a single national standard: blue and light blue for the easier network, black and red for trails aimed at experienced riders, and a black-diamond marking reserved for two expert-only lines.

• Easier trails (blue and light blue): Podél Černého potoka, Trail LČR and Vidnavský okruh are marked blue and combine for around 25 km of gentler riding, with Podél Černého potoka and Trail LČR alone totalling about 20 km. The Lipovske stezky (Lipovske Trails), around 8 km altogether, are aimed specifically at children, with a short climb and easy-to-follow lines.
• Superflow and Dr. Wiessner: the flagship fast, flowy Superflow descent pairs with the Dr. Wiessner climbing trail for an 18 km loop with around 450 m of ascent. Superflow section 6 is currently closed; the rest of the trail is open. Biskupsky is another marked climbing trail linking the network.
• Trails for experienced riders (black and red): Wales (rocky and rooty, technical), Velryba (built around boulders), Obelix, Naucna stezka, Prokletý and Jestrab are graded black; Mramorovy, Hupcuk and Sjezdy are graded red. Tajemny is also graded red but is currently closed.
• Expert only: Velbloud and T-RYS carry the venue's black-diamond expert-only marking and are aimed squarely at confident, experienced riders.
• Sokolik is a shorter trail near the finish, close to the village community hall in Černá Voda.

Riding is not permitted after a set time each evening, which varies through the season, from as early as 16:00 in October to as late as 20:00 in June and July, and the whole network closes completely from November 1 to March 31 each year. Check the trail status page before travelling, since sections do close for maintenance and forestry work.

Guides, Shuttles and Hire

There's no van shuttle at Rychlebske stezky: the network's own climbing trails, such as Trail LČR and Dr. Wiessner, carry riders back up to the Base between descents, and hire and lessons are both run directly by the trail centre itself.

• Cyklopoint: the trail centre's own bike hire and Merida test centre for full-suspension bikes, with a workshop and repairs, based at the Information Centre in Černá Voda.
• Rychlebske stezky Biking School: mountain bike lessons for both adults and children, run by the trail centre from the same Base.

Getting There from the UK

There's no realistic Eurostar-plus-rail route to this corner of the Czech Republic, so flying is the practical option. Wrocław, in Poland, is the closest airport, around two hours' drive from Černá Voda. Ostrava and Katowice's Pyrzowice airport are both a little further, at around two and a half hours, and Prague is around four hours away by road. A hire car or a pre-booked transfer is needed from any of them, since there's no direct rail link into the Rychleby Mountains.

Rail from the UK is a long way round: Eurostar to Brussels or Paris, then onward Czech trains, adds up to the best part of a day, or an overnight train, with no direct service into this part of Moravia.

Driving from Calais or the Channel Tunnel is around 1,340km, roughly 14 hours, running mostly through Germany. Czech motorways need an electronic vignette, bought online before you use them.

When to Go

The trails are open from April to October and close completely over winter. Long summer evenings give the most riding time, since the evening cut-off (see The Trails above) runs latest in June and July and is earliest in October. The trail centre says its trails ride well in wet weather, so a summer shower is unlikely to spoil a trip.

Where to Stay

Černá Voda itself, right by the Information Centre, is the natural base: there's a campsite by the Information Centre, plus pensions, lodges and apartments around the village, several run specifically with mountain bikers in mind. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the Base, the bike hire and the start of the trails.

Getting Here

Rychleby Trails begin and finish in the village of Černá Voda (Black Water). Arriving from the interior of the Czech Republic, turn at Lipová lázně towards Javorník. Pass through Vápenná and in Žulová turn right over the railway crossing. After 5.4 km (3.3 miles) you arrive into Černá Voda, where there's parking by the Information Centre. You can also take the train from Jesenik to Žulová.

Beyond the Trails

For a rest day, or a change of pace, the granite boulders of the Rychleby Mountains around Sokolí vrch and Žulová are covered by the venue's own Bike'n'Boulder guide, with more than 800 documented problems, including lines set by climbers such as Adam Ondra. Climbing shoes, crash pads and chalk bags can all be rented from the Base.

If you are making a longer Czech trip, Singltrek pod Smrkem, in the Jizera Mountains on the Polish border, is the country's other big purpose-built singletrack network.

Share

• If you have ridden Rychlebské stezky (Rychleby Trails), please share your reviews, photos, and videos to this listing.