The Greenways Prague-Vienna corridor is one of Central Europe's most celebrated long-distance cycling routes. Covering roughly 400 kilometres between two capital cities, it threads through a remarkable cross-section of Czech and Austrian landscapes: Baroque townscapes, Bohemian highlands, Moravian river valleys, and the UNESCO-listed Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape.
Originally conceived in the late 1990s as a "green" alternative travel corridor, the route has matured into a well-maintained cycling artery that draws thousands of riders each season. It follows a combination of dedicated bike paths, quiet country roads, and short sections alongside regional highways, all clearly marked with the distinctive green Greenways signage.
Route Structure
Most cyclists divide the route into five to seven daily stages, though strong riders sometimes complete it in four. The terrain varies considerably: the initial stretch south from Prague crosses the hilly Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, where short but steep climbs test your legs. Once you drop into the Thaya River valley near Znojmo, the riding flattens out and the final 120 kilometres into Austria are largely level.
Stage 1: Prague to Benesov (65 km)
Leaving Prague through Branik and along the Vltava, the route quickly escapes urban traffic. The village of Jilove u Prahy marks the transition into open countryside. By the time you reach Benesov, home to the grand Konopiste Castle, you have left the city entirely behind. This stage has moderate climbing and is a good introduction to the route.
Stage 2: Benesov to Tabor (55 km)
This is the hilliest section. The path crosses the heart of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, with forest tracks and occasional gravel stretches. Tabor itself is a stunning medieval town built on a rocky promontory above the Luznice River, well worth a full evening's exploration.
Stage 3: Tabor to Telc (70 km)
The route passes through Jindrichuv Hradec, a town known for its Renaissance chateau complex, and continues eastward into open farmland. Telc, the destination, is a UNESCO World Heritage town whose main square is lined with perfectly preserved Renaissance and Baroque facades reflected in surrounding fishponds.
Stage 4: Telc to Znojmo (65 km)
The terrain begins to flatten as you approach southern Moravia. Wildflower meadows and rapeseed fields stretch to the horizon. Znojmo appears dramatically, perched on a cliff above the Dyje River. Its Romanesque rotunda and underground tunnel network make it a highlight of the entire journey.
Stage 5: Znojmo to Mikulov (55 km)
This stage runs along the Austrian border through wine country. The landscape opens up into the gentle slopes of the Palava Hills. Mikulov, with its castle overlooking orderly vineyards, is the symbolic heart of Moravian winemaking.
Stage 6: Mikulov to Valtice / Austrian Border (45 km)
The final Czech section passes through the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, where you can ride between two grand chateaux along tree-lined avenues. From Valtice, it is a short ride across the border to reach the Austrian cycling network and, eventually, Vienna.
Route Summary
Total distance: ~400 km (Prague to Vienna). Terrain: Hilly in Bohemia, flat in Moravia. Surface: Mixed (asphalt, gravel, short off-road sections). Recommended duration: 5-7 days. Signage: Green Greenways markers + regional cycle route numbers.
Planning and Logistics
The Greenways route is best tackled from late April through September. July and August can be warm, so carry extra water on the Bohemian stages where villages may be spaced 15-20 km apart. Accommodation ranges from campsites and hostels to charming guesthouses, with prices climbing noticeably around Telc and Mikulov during peak summer.
Luggage transfer services operate between Prague and Vienna, carrying your bags from one overnight stop to the next. This is particularly useful on the hillier northern stages and allows you to ride with just a daypack.
What to Bring
- A touring or gravel bike; road bikes are possible but limiting on certain gravel sections
- Spare inner tubes and a basic repair kit — bike shops are scarce in rural stretches
- A printed or offline map as a GPS backup; some forested sections have weak signal
- Layers for the Bohemian Highlands, where mornings can be cool even in June
- A lock for cafe and cellar stops along the Moravian wine section
Cultural Highlights Along the Way
One of the great strengths of the Greenways route is its cultural density. Within a single week of riding, you pass through three UNESCO sites (Telc, Lednice-Valtice, and the historic centre of Znojmo is on the tentative list), dozens of castles and chateaux, and a succession of small towns where the pace of life has changed little over the past century.
Local markets operate on weekends in most towns along the route. In Moravia, look for tvaruzky (pungent ripened cheese), slivovice (plum brandy), and freshly baked kolache filled with plum jam or poppy seeds. These are not tourist souvenirs but everyday foods that the locals themselves eat.
The Greenways route is less about distance and more about depth. Each town on the way has enough to hold you for hours, if you let it.
