Despite the first small ascent, today’s stage follows a nice trail to the heart of the Czech wine region - the town of Melnik. Just before we leave Prague, we pass the Troja Baroque Castle and we continue to the North following the bank of the Vltava River. The river cuts into the ground here, which creates very interesting rock formations and deep valleys. Visits of castles in Nelahozeves or Veltrusy are the biggest highlights of this day. We will end in an old wine town above the confluence of the rivers Vltava and Elbe – Melnik.

Today’s stage leads us through a calm Elbe region and is without significant altitude changes. This region is one of the most fertile regions in the Czech Republic. The most impressive stop on today’s stage is the massive Terezin Fortress from the turn of the 18th century, which illustrates the military architecture of that time. The seamy side of the history is the World War II period. Nazis used this place as a Jewish concentration camp. We will conclude the day in an old town and spiritual center of this region – Litomerice.

Even though the Czech Middle Mountains region is very hilly, we will follow the banks of the Elbe River most of the time and hills with several old-time ruins will surround us. This former volcanic region had always been an ideal terrain for building of castles and fortresses.

This day will be almost fully optional but always special! In the morning you can decide, whether you prefer biking or sailing to Hrensko. This border town is situated in the heart of the Czech-Saxon Switzerland NP and offers many attractive activities. It offers many hiking trails leading through the scenery of the rocky towns, the mesas, the passes, deep gorges and hillsides. Special bonus to admire is the wonder of the Pravcicka Gate, no doubt, the biggest natural rock bridge in Europe.

This day is packed with historical sights! Shortly from Bad Schandau we will see a scary looking Königstein Fortress and just past the curve a beautiful rock formation with a romantic rock bridge and Bastei Ruin. A couple of kilometers down the road, by the town of Pirna, we will enter the region of the Dresden Valley.