The Moravian Karst by bike: routes, rules and rental shops

You can cycle round the karst quite comfortably, but you do need to stick to roads, forest tracks and marked cycle routes. In the national nature reserves, cycling off these routes is forbidden. The Protected Landscape Area Administration recommends two routes: Sloup – Skalní Mlýn – Blansko (about 15 km, through Pustý žleb gorge, almost entirely downhill) and the longer Brno-Líšeň – Křtiny – Adamov (about 35 km). On top of that, there’s our own loop, Blansko–Křtiny–Jedovnice (23 km). For mountain bikes, there’s the Moravian Karst Singletrail in Jedovnice. E-bikes can be hired in Ostrov u Macochy and in Blansko.

QUICK LINKS 🚴 Routes · 🌲 Singletrail · 🔋 Rental shops · ⚠️ Rules · 🔒 Bikes and caves · ❓ FAQ

Routes worth riding

1. Sloup – Pustý žleb – Skalní Mlýn – Blansko (about 15 km)

The nicest easy route in the karst, and one recommended by the Protected Landscape Area Administration too. From Sloup, a paved path leads through Pustý žleb gorge, which is closed to cars, down to Skalní Mlýn and on through the Punkva valley to Blansko. Most of the ride is downhill, so it’s suitable for children as well. The way back up to Sloup, however, is much tougher, so it’s best to ride one way and take the train or bus back from Blansko. Along the route you’ll find the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves (Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně), Kateřinská Cave and Skalní Mlýn, from where it’s 1.6 km to the Punkva Caves (Punkevní jeskyně). More on the gorge in our article Pustý žleb.

2. Blansko – Křtiny – Jedovnice (23 km)

A loop along cycle route 5081 via Habrůvka, Křtiny and Bukovina to Jedovnice, mostly on forest tracks across the plateau. Along the way you’ll pass Santini’s church in Křtiny, and at the end there’s a swim in the Olšovec pond. We cover this in detail in Cycling trip Blansko–Křtiny–Jedovnice.

3. Brno-Líšeň – Křtiny – Adamov (about 35 km)

A longer route through the southern part of the karst, also recommended by the Protected Landscape Area Administration. It runs via Říčky, past Ochozská Cave and Hádek to Křtiny, then on to the Mácha Memorial, Nový hrad castle and into Adamov. Adamov sits on the Brno–Blansko railway line, so you can take the train back to Brno.

4. The Iron Trail (about 30 km)

An educational trail tracing the history of ironworking in the karst. Ideal if you’d like to combine your ride with a bit of local history. The region’s ironworking heritage also features in our article Křtiny valley.

The Moravian Karst Singletrail

For mountain bikes, there’s a network of singletrails — narrow paths built specifically for bikers — in Jedovnice. Further sections can be found in Mariánské údolí valley in Brno.

• Season in Jedovnice: from mid-March, with winter closure from 1 November.
• Bike hire is available right on site, open from May to October, daily in July and August.
• Some sections may be temporarily closed due to logging. Check singlekras.cz before you set off.

Bike and e-bike rental shops

Check prices and availability directly with the rental shop — in high season it’s worth booking ahead.

Rules for cyclists in the Protected Landscape Area

The whole karst is a Protected Landscape Area, so stricter rules apply than elsewhere:

• In the national nature reserves, cycling is only permitted on roads and cycle routes approved by the nature conservation authority.
• In forests, riding off forest tracks is prohibited — even outside the Protected Landscape Area. Riding on slopes damages the soil and young trees.
• A waymarked hiking trail is not a cycle route. If a footpath isn’t also designated as a cycle route, bikes don’t belong there.
• Bike races are banned outside public roads in Zones I and II of the Protected Landscape Area.

More in our article Rules in the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area.

Bikes and caves

Bikes aren’t allowed inside the caves, so plan on leaving yours outside. At Skalní Mlýn you can combine cycling with other ways of getting around the karst: the cable car from the Punkva Caves up to Macocha Abyss can also carry your bike, and the little train to the Punkva Caves is wheelchair-accessible. Prices in our article Skalní Mlýn.

Frequently asked questions

Can you cycle through Pustý žleb? Yes, the path through Pustý žleb gorge is open to cyclists, and the Protected Landscape Area Administration directly recommends the Sloup – Skalní Mlýn – Blansko route. Cars are not permitted there.

Which route is best for children? Sloup – Pustý žleb – Skalní Mlýn, since it’s almost entirely downhill on tarmac and free of cars. It’s worth taking the train or bus back.

Where can I hire an e-bike? In Ostrov u Macochy (Ekolorent) or in Blansko (Kola Novák). Kick scooters and e-bikes are also available for hire near Sloup.

Is there a singletrail in the karst? Yes, the Moravian Karst Singletrail in Jedovnice, open from March to the end of October.

Can I cycle anywhere in the forest? No. In forests, stick to forest tracks, and in the national nature reserves, only roads and approved cycle routes are permitted.

Information verified as of 19 September 2026. Sources: AOPK ČR – Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area: Cycling, Moravian Karst Singletrail, DMO Moravian Karst: Bike and Scooter Rentals, Skalní Mlýn: Little Train and Cable Car.