Lipno Strade Bianche to Austrian lookout towers

If you love riding gravel bikes, this route definitely falls under the "must-do" category! It will take you to the deserted right shore of the Lipno dam, from where you will gently climb up through the Austrian border area along beautiful gravel paths up to an altitude of 1,000 m to the Moldaublick and Alpenblick lookout towers (entrance fee is 2 €, cash only). Their names are self-explanatory - from one, you will enjoy views of the Lipno dam, and the Alps from the other. Along the way, you can taste Austrian regional specialities at several places, and local experts recommend the cult pub Blauer Hirsch (Blue Deer Pub), where they speak Czech. Refreshed with good savoury chow and well-chilled weizen, you will almost fly along the Schwarzenberg canal back to the ferry landing in Dolní Vltavice, where you will enjoy the last part of the beautiful gravel roads with a minimum of tarmac and traffic. Recommendation: Remember to put a few euros in your pocket, since you won't be able to pay by card in Moldaublick and Blauer Hirsch.