EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail: Mysterious Granite Worlds
The EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail is no ordinary long-distance cycling route. Stretching over 10,000 kilometres, it takes you from the Arctic to the Black Sea, offering unique insights into history, nature, and the sheer feeling of freedom on two wheels. This route exists thanks to the dedication of many people who have worked tirelessly and passionately to develop Inserting Tour Packages on EuroVelo.com it.
With the newly available tours from Good Impact Cycling, you can now explore selected sections individually, at a relaxed pace, and fully organised. Experience cycling trips with maximum freedom, combined with reliable service, sustainable travel concepts, and the rewarding feeling of travelling consciously. The central section of EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail, along the border of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, captivates with its scenic and cultural diversity. For those who don’t have time to cycle the entire route, this practical week-long package is highly recommended.
It will take you into the mysterious granite landscapes of the oldest highlands in Europe – the Bohemian Massif – and allow you to forget the stress of everyday life amidst this primeval scenery.
And the best part: you travel with the satisfying feeling of making a positive impact! With Good Impact Cycling tours, you’re not only travelling sustainably, but you’re also giving back to the regions along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail, helping to support their sustainable development and leaving a meaningful mark in return.
The Route
You’ll start your cycling week on the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail (EV13) in Lipno, Czech Republic, and pedal through five mostly moderate daily stages along the Czech–Austrian border, finishing in the enchanting town of Drosendorf in Lower Austria, famous for its medieval fortress. While considerable efforts are continually being made to improve the EuroVelo 13 and its infrastructure, you should be prepared for a mix of beautiful cycle paths, occasional gravel sections, and some public roads. In return, you’ll be rewarded with the mystique of the primeval granite landscapes of the Bohemian Massif highlands and the warm hospitality typical of slow-travel destinations.
Suggestion: After a week on the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail, you’re unlikely to feel you’ve had enough! For your next adventure, you may want to consider the next section of this trail – Vineyards and River Floodplains – which leads you all the way to Bratislava.
The Highlights
This section of the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail is shaped by the mystical granite landscapes of the Bohemian Massif, Europe’s oldest mountain range. Formed over 300 million years ago, this mountain massif is said in legend to have once towered higher than Mount Everest, crowned by the mythical peak known as the Cloud Mirror. Since then, the landscape of South Bohemia and the Mühl- and Waldviertel regions has taken its time to develop into the enchanting highlands that cyclists experience today: gentle hills, dark forests, moors and lakes, as well as striking granite formations. A landscape that radiates calm and serenity, which, together with its cultural and historical sights, invites a slow-paced and relaxed cycling experience.
Good Impact Cycling
With “Good Impact Cycling,” our goal is to make your fascinating cycling journey along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail climate-friendly and sustainable. To achieve this, we are committed to fully implementing the European Commission’s new “Directive on Green Claims” with the highest possible transparency: for “Good Impact Cycling,” both your personal CO₂ footprint and, for the first time, the Sustainability Score of your cycling trip are calculated. In this way, your cycling trip gains an added value alongside all the unforgettable experiences! Our vision with regenerative cycling tours on the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail is not only to avoid harmful impacts on the environment, culture, and society, but to actively create positive effects. This ensures that the regions along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail benefit from regenerative tourism in a truly sustainable way. To this purpose, the scores from your cycling journey will be converted into a ‘Good Impact Cycling Contribution’. This is included in the travel price and will benefit the specially established ‘Good Impact Programme’. From 2027 onwards, the ‘Good Impact Cycling Contribution’ will be used to support carefully selected ecological or social projects along the EuroVelo 13 - Iron Curtain Trail. Until then, the project management, the Hungarian non-profit organisation (NPO) Westpannon for the Pilot Region Hungary – Slovenia – Croatia and the Czech non-profit organisation (NPO) Partnerství, o.p.s for the Pilot Region Austria – Czech Republic – Slovakia, will manage your contribution in trust.
To calculate this offer, we used the leading carbon footprint calculator CARMACALand the six commonly used global indicators of the Impact Measurement System (IMS). You can find out more about this here. (Link to article on the EuroVelo landing page)
EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail – Official Info- & Booking Centre
If you’re ready to embark on the great adventure along EuroVelo 13 – the Iron Curtain Trail, this offer is simply the perfect choice. It combines your personal freedom with service, safety, and balanced sustainability. Moreover, the expert team at the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail - Official Info- & Booking Centre will support you in planning your trip and throughout your journey, helping you to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way. They also invite you to become a pioneer and contributor to regenerative cycling tourism in Europe through the 'Good Impact Cycling' offers.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Individual Arrival in Lipno nad Vltavou (CZ)
Arrive individually in Lipno, a popular holiday destination located on the largest reservoir in the Czech Republic. The relaxed lakeside atmosphere, forested hills, and comfortable accommodations provide the perfect introduction to your cycling adventure.
Day 2 | Cycling from Lipno nad Vltavou (CZ) to Windhaag (AT)
Distance: 46 km | Ascent: 648 m
Start your first stage leisurely along the Lipno Reservoir. Passing through Vyšší Brod with its famous monastery, the route takes you into the forested border region. Quiet secondary roads lead you into the Mühlviertel and finally to Windhaag, where the history of the border is tangibly present. Highlights: Vltava Valley landscape, historic town of Vyšší Brod with Cistercian Monastery, Hohenfurth Nature Park
Day 3 | Cycling from Windhaag (AT) to Nové Hrady (CZ)
Distance: 55 km | Ascent: 856 m
A challenging yet stunning stage: cycle through the hilly forests and granite landscapes of the Upper Mühlviertel, passing Sandl and Karlstift. After crossing the border, the South Bohemian scenery unfolds – your destination is the historic town of Nové Hrady, with its castle, fortress, and Servite monastery. Highlights: Green Belt Centre Windhaag, Gratzener Bergland Nature Park
Day 4 | Cycling from Nové Hrady (CZ) to Litschau (AT)
Distance: 56 km | Ascent: 416 m
Today offers a fascinating mix of ponds, forests, and tranquil villages. After crossing South Bohemia, you enter the northern Waldviertel. Your destination is the idyllic spa town of Litschau, located directly on Lake Herrensee. Highlights: Open-air Museum of the Iron Curtain near Nové Hrady (original border installations with information panels and reconstructions), historic town of Weitra with regional brewery, historic old town of Gmünd with Iron Curtain border crossing, Litschau Castle
Day 5 | Cycling from Litschau (AT) to Slavonice (CZ)
Distance: 32 km | Ascent: 276 m
Cycle through the granite-dominated landscapes of the Waldviertel to Slavonice – an architectural gem with perfectly preserved Renaissance houses. Numerous craft shops, cafés, and historic squares invite you to linger. Highlights: Replica of the customs house near the Veclov border crossing, fortifications with bunkers in Slavonice, Renaissance town of Slavonice
Day 6 | Cycling from Slavonice (CZ) to Drosendorf (AT)
Distance: 40 km | Ascent: 303 m
The “king stage” takes you along quiet border roads, past artists’ villages and Cold War landmarks. The landscape becomes increasingly hilly and unspoiled. Your destination, Drosendorf, entirely surrounded by a medieval city wall and perched above the Thaya River, offers a fitting finale. Highlights: Jewish cemetery in Písečné, historic old town of Drosendorf
Day 7 | Drosendorf – Individual Departure
After a final view over the Thaya Valley, your remarkable journey along the former Iron Curtain comes to an end. Depart individually with memories of idyllic nature, cultural highlights, and a unique piece of European history.
Services, Dates & Prices
Included services
• 6 overnight stays in selected partner accommodations
o Accommodation category: Classic/Comfort
o Meals: hearty breakfast buffet
• 5 consecutive stages along the EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail
• Trail hotline – available 7/12 days a week during your trail journey
• Extended digital travel documents
• Expert advice for travelling by train to the IC/EC railway stations along the route
• Contribution to a more sustainable world: with your tour price you support the “Good Impact Cycling” programme
Optional services
• Luggage transfer from stage to stage
• Return transfer Drosendorf (AT) – Lipno (CZ) as part of the convenient mobility service (e-bus)
Not included
• Printed travel documents and maps (available as an optinal extra)
• Local tourist taxes at accommodations (to be paid at check-out)
• Personal expenses
Bookable daily from 1st May – 17th October 2026
EuroVelo 13 – Iron Curtain Trail - Official Info- & Booking Centre: Cycling Holidays (Bernreither Straße 45, 8344 Bad Gleichenberg, AUSTRIA)
Season 1 – € 549.- + € 33.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 11.04. – 25.04.2026 I 10.10. – 17.10.2026
Season 2 - € 599.- + € 33.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 25.04. – 22.05.2026 I 26.09. – 09.10.2026
Season 3 - € 619.- + € 33.- Contribution Good Impact Cycling I 23.05. – 25.09.2026