Czech hiking-biking trains roll out new routes to scenic destinations

Railway services in Prague and Central Bohemia will cater especially to hikers and bikers this season. Both bicycle and steam trains will operate along traditional as well as new routes, representatives of Czech Railways (ČD), the Central Bohemian Region, and Prague Integrated Transport (PID) said at a press briefing held earlier this week.

The tourist season commences on the weekend of March 23-24 and continues until Oct. 28. Cyclists can utilize two bike-friendly buses, one for trips around Brdy and the other for Bohemian Paradise. From July, cycle buses will run through Kokořínsko on three lines. The fee for transporting one bike on cycle buses will be CZK 20.

The Cyklohráček excursion train for families with children and cyclists will depart from Prague to Slaný for the 11th time this year, making new stops twice a week. A colorful locomotive will pull four specially modified cars with room for bikes.

The cycle train will visit 14 places in Central Bohemia this year. From March 23 to October 28, it will run to Slaný on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, with some dates featuring a route to Zlonice. From July 9 to August 22, there will also be rides on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with Cyklohráček traveling to destinations like Dobříš, Český Šternberk, Kácov, Lužka nad Vltavou, and Nelahozeves.

From March 23 to October 28, the Český ráj train for hikers and cyclists, or the Cyklo Brdy train, will also operate. The former will run on weekends and public holidays on the line to Jičín or the Prachovské skaly area. The Cyklo Brdy train will travel to the Brdy region, Příbram, Březnice, and Blatná.

This year, in addition to the traditional nostalgic trips to Posázaví, steam trains will once again head to Dobříš and Rožmitál pod Třemšínem. In Prague, steam trains will traditionally depart from Praha-Vršovice station.

Over 6,000 people utilized steam trains in Prague and the Central Bohemia region last year. Due to the great interest, the railways are investing in improving the technical condition of steam locomotives. Last year, they repaired three historic cars that will carry passengers this year.

However, drought conditions can complicate historic trains' operation in the summer. Steam trains often cannot run due to the risk of fires along the railway. In such cases, railways can substitute them with locomotives from the 1950s, classified as historic cars, although not steam-powered.