Cycling through Pustý Žleb to Skalní mlýn
The cycle trip through Pustý žleb starts at Skalní mlýn and leads through a karst canyon between steep limestone cliffs. Along the way, you’ll come across a number of caves and rock formations, whilst the route follows a tarmac cycle path with no ordinary motor traffic. The round trip is approximately 15.8 km long and is suitable even for children who are used to longer rides.
The biggest attraction in the area is the Punkva Caves, featuring a boat trip along the underground Punkva River and a visit to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss. The cycle route itself continues through Pustý žleb to Sloup, from where you return along the same route.
Before you set off on your bike, don’t forget to pack a snack at breakfast. At OREA, you can put together a snack to suit your taste and pack it into the bags provided.
Route details
Length: 17.8 km there and back
Bike type: trekking bike, children’s bike, e-bike
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Elevation gain: 139 m
Surface: mainly tarmac
In the Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area, cyclists may only ride on roads, local tracks and routes designated by the area’s management. Before setting off, check the current route and any road closures.
Where does the route go?
The route starts at Skalní mlýn, where you can park in the designated car park. It is approximately a 20-minute drive from the OREA Resort Panorama. From there, follow the tarmac cycle path towards Sloup.
Pustý žleb is a karst canyon approximately 7.5 km long. In places, the limestone walls converge high above your head; wooded sections alternate with more open stretches, and the entrances to the caves on either side are visible from the cycle path. You’ll soon come across the entrance to the Punkva Caves and the source of the Punkva stream.
If you wish to combine your trip with a tour of the Punkva Caves, allow for an extra hour or so. The temperature inside the caves is a constant 7 to 8 °C, so do take an extra layer of clothing. During peak season and at weekends, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance.
The virtual end point of the route is Sloup, from where you’ll return to Skalní mlýn via the same route. This makes it easy to adapt the trip to the children’s stamina, and it isn’t necessary to cycle all the way to the end. However, if you do head to Sloup, you can round off the route with a visit to the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves or a short stop in the village.
Skalní mlýn is one of the main starting points for trips to the most visited part of the Moravian Karst. It offers visitor facilities, car park and an information service which, amongst other things, handles bookings and ticket sales for the Punkevní Caves. From Skalní mlýn, you can set off on foot, by mini-train or by bike towards the Punkva Caves, Macocha and Pustý žleb.
The Punkva Caves are among the most famous attractions in the Moravian Karst. They are situated in the Pustý žleb canyon, and a tour of the caves takes visitors through the stalactite-and-stalagmite chambers, down to the bottom of the Macocha Abyss, and on a boat trip along the underground Punkva River.
Pustý žleb is a deep karst canyon between Skalní mlýn and Sloup. Its atmosphere is characterised by high limestone cliffs, wooded sections and cave entrances. It is particularly attractive to cyclists as it allows them to cycle through the beautiful countryside comfortably and without having to tackle any strenuous climbs. The entrance to the Punkevní Caves is located in the lower part of Pustý žleb.
The Sloupsko-Šošůvské Caves form part of the longest cave system open to the public in the Czech Republic, the Amatérské Caves. The total length of the known passages is 4,200 metres, and the length of the accessible route is 1,760 metres.
The village is best known for the Sloupsko-Šošůvské Caves, an extensive system of passages, domes and underground chasms formed by the action of the Sloupský Stream. The caves also include Kůlna Cave, an important archaeological site with finds attesting to prehistoric settlement. As well as its karst features, Sloup also has a tradition of pilgrimage, commemorated by the Baroque Church of Our Lady of Sorrows on Wankl Square.
