Bohemian Border Bash Race Info | Route, Rules & Race Details

Bohemian Border bash RACE

Where it all begins and ends.

Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland National Park is a living record of millions of years of geological evolution. Its dramatic sandstone cliffs, shaped by ancient seas and sculpted by ice, rise above a landscape that has inspired travelers for centuries. Straddling the border between Bohemia and Saxony, the region also carries a rich human history, with traces of medieval castles and quiet villages woven into the terrain.

As tradition dictates, the race begins at the Bohemian Border Bash Camp, the same familiar home base as our annual BBB Gravel Camp.

The opening kilometers guide you through the Bohemian section of the National Park and, soon after, across the border into Saxony—right in our Border Bash backyard. Take extra care when passing through Bad Schandau, where you’ll cross the River Elbe. This is the last major town for some time and a clear signal that the first serious climbing is about to begin.

Part I

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Elbsandsteingebirge / Labské pískovce (EN / DE / CZ)

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains stretch along the border of southeastern Germany and northern Bohemia and mark the first significant hills on your journey around Bohemia. Towering rock formations, narrow valleys, and exposed ridgelines define this unique landscape.

From here, the route presses on toward the Ore Mountains. Weather can change quickly, and exposure is frequent—conditions here demand both respect and attention.

Ore Mountains

Erzgebirge / Krušné Hory (EN / DE / CZ)

The Ore Mountains have formed a natural border between Bohemia and Saxony for more than 800 years. While today’spolitical border runs just north of the main ridge, the contrast remains striking: the German side rolls gently, while the Czech side delivers long, steep climbs and fast descents. In the higher elevations, expect a harsh and unforgiving climate.

Welcome to Boží Dar, also known as Gottesgab - “God’s Gift.” Look for the stamp in front of "Konzum Čáda," a small store with hot coffee where you can restock if you arrive during opening hours.

CP 1

Self-validation
1186 km to go
GPS: 50.4105678N, 12.9228608E

CP1 → CP2 Upper Palatine Forest

Oberpfälzer Wald / Český les (EN / DE / CZ)

Following the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia, this region became part of the Western Border Zone—a heavily guarded, restricted frontier separating East and West. Entire villages were depopulated, and human activity nearly vanished for decades.

Since 1989, the area has remained sparsely inhabited. This long period of isolation preserved vast tracts of forest, meadows, and wild landscapes, creating a uniquely quiet and untouched environment. Today, the region is recognized for its ecological value and forms part of several protected areas, including Šumava National Park.

CP 2

Self-validation
1042 km to go
GPS: 49.9620175°N, 12.4906844°E

Part II

CP2 → CP3 Bohemian Forest

Bayerischer Wald / Šumava (EN / DE / CZ)

The Bohemian Forest, known in Czech as Šumava, is a historic borderland shaped by isolation and dense woodland. For centuries, thick forests dominated human pathways and settlements, resulting in sparse habitation and allowing vast areas of wilderness to remain largely untouched. This long-standing remoteness preserved a rich mosaic of forest ecosystems on both sides of today’s border.

In the 20th century, Šumava became part of the Iron Curtain, placing it at the center of geopolitical tension. Entire villages were depopulated, leaving scars still visible in the landscape today. Yet despite this turbulent history, the region’s natural beauty endured. Today, it is dotted with natural tourism hotspots and draws visitors year-round.

The Šumava Mountains, rising between 800 and 1,400 meters, define the terrain with their heavily forested ridgelines. In recent years, invasive bark beetle infestations have dramatically altered parts of the forest, but the landscape remains resilient—wild, quiet, and deeply atmospheric.

CP3

Self-validation
862 km to go
GPS: 49.1056003°N, 13.3798242°E
Stamp location: in front of the coffee shop Pampeliška
Coffee shop hours: 09:00–17:00 daily
Stamp access: 24/7

This section leads you out of the Bohemian Forest and toward one of the most iconic towns in the Czech Republic.

CP3 → CP4 Český Krumlov

Nestled in southern Bohemia, Český Krumlov traces its history back to the 13th century. Once a thriving center of trade and craftsmanship, the town flourished under powerful noble families such as the Rosenbergs, later reaching its Renaissance peak under the Eggenberg and Schwarzenberg dynasties.

Today, its winding streets, red rooftops, and the imposing Český Krumlov Castle stand remarkably preserved. Since 1992, the town has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the most beautiful—and memorable—stops on the route.

CP4

Self-validation
744 km to go
GPS: 48.8016319°N, 14.3150225°E

Leaving Český Krumlov behind, the route follows the Vltava River before opening into flatter terrain. The first 80 kilometers after CP4 offer a rare moment of relief—enjoy it.

CP4 → CP5 Třeboňsko Region

The Třeboňsko region has been shaped by human ingenuity since the 12th century and has been recognized as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Reserve since 1977. More than 460 man-made ponds form an intricate water management system that defines the landscape and established the region as a historic center of fish farming.

As you ride through this uniquely engineered environment, you’ll pass notable landmarks, including an Iron Curtain memorial and the northernmost point of Austria, located beside one of these centuries-old ponds.

CP5

Self-validation
629 km to go
GPS: 49.0221286°N, 15.0228200°E

Part III

CP5 → CP6

Cycling northeast from CP5, the route closely follows the historic border between Bohemia and Moravia—the two largestCzech lands that together form today’s Czech Republic.

The journey begins in Czech Canada, a distinct natural region named for its extreme contrasts: hot summers and long, snowy winters. From here, the route leads into another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town of Telč, celebrated for its beautifully preserved Italian Renaissance architecture and storybook main square.

Beyond Telč, the landscape opens into more than 130 kilometers of Bohemian forests and open fields. Quiet roads and rolling terrain guide you onward until you reach CP6, located in Choceň, a small market town founded in the 13th century and once favored by Bohemian kings.

CP6

Self-validate
396 km to go
GPS: 50.0009456°N, 16.2063767°E
Train connection available from CP6 back to the Start / Finish
Overnight accommodation: sleep indoors or pitch your tent, showers!
Shops and restaurants are located in town.

Part IV

From CP6, the route follows a quiet river valley before rising steadily into the Eagle Mountains, marking the beginning of the historic Bohemian–Silesian border.

Eagle Mountains

Adlergebirge / Góry Orlickie / Orlické hory (EN / DE / PL / CZ)

This mountain range, which today forms part of the border between the Czech Republic and Poland, carries deep historical significance. Its strategic position made it the backdrop for centuries of conflict and shifting borders. Dense forests and rugged terrain offered natural defenses, drawing the attention of rulers and empires alike.

Despite its turbulent past, the Eagle Mountains have retained a strong sense of wilderness. Their quiet ridgelines and wooded slopes stand as a testament to both the resilience of nature and the endurance of the people who once lived along this frontier.

Table Mountains

Heuscheuergebirge / Góry Stołowe (EN / DE / PL)

On the Polish side, the Table Mountains reveal a striking 42-kilometer-long sandstone range—unique within Poland. Layered rock towers and sheer sandstone ledges form a landscape unlike any other in the country, captivating visitors with its dramatic shapes and expansive views.

Adršpach–Teplice Rock City

Adršpašsko-Teplické skály (DE / CZ)

Towering sandstone formations rise from the forest, sculpted by millions of years of erosion into an extraordinary natural maze. Even when viewed from afar, the scale and elegance of this rock city leave a lasting impression, offering one of the most visually striking sections of the route.

CP7

Self-validation
261 km to go
GPS: 50.2235028°N, 16.5015392°E

Part V

Giant Mountains

Riesengebirge / Krkonoše (EN / DE / CZ)

The northern half of the Czech–Polish border separates the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, following the main ridge of the Krkonoše range. At its heart rises Sněžka (Schneekoppe), the highest mountain in the Czech Republic at 1,603 meters. Bicycles are not allowed in this area, so you will ride beneath the shadow of this peak, reaching a maximum elevation of 1,356 meters.

Above the treeline, the landscape takes on an unusually alpine character. Fully exposed to winds and weather systems rolling in from the Baltic Sea, the range experiences rapid and often extreme weather changes. Even in late spring, snow-capped slopes on Sněžka are common, and riders may still encounter snow during their own crossing.

The River Elbe has its source here, and this section of the route is among the most demanding of the entire race. Tackled late, on already tired legs, it requires respect, patience, and preparation. The main ridge is highly unpredictable and ranks among the most wind-exposed areas in Europe.

Expect changing conditions. Be ready for anything.

CP8

Self-validation
185 km to go
GPS: 50.7057000°N, 15.6748467°E

Jizera Mountains

Isergebirge / Góry Izerskie / Jizerské hory (DE / PL / CZ)

The name Jizera traces back to Celtic origins and is reflected in the German name Iser, shared by the river that rises here.Its source lies on the southern slopes of Smrk—the highest peak of the range at 1,124 meters. Smrk simply means “spruce” in Czech, a fitting name for a summit crowned with towering conifers.

The Jizera Mountains form a broad, forested ridge stretching from the Lusatian Mountains—where Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic meet in the northwest—to the Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) in the southeast. Quiet roads, high plateaus, and deep forests define this transitional landscape between ranges.

CP9

Self-validation
52 km to go
GPS: 50.7803742°N, 15.3689461°E

Part VI

The Three Corners

The “Three Corners” marks the meeting point of the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland—a quiet geographic junction with a turbulent past. For centuries, shifting borders and rising empires turned this region into contested ground. Today, it stands as a symbol of cooperation and peaceful coexistence in a part of Central Europe once defined by division.

What follows is the brutal climax. There is no rhythm and no relief—only short, savage climbs where traction is limited, progress is slow, and every meter must be earned. This section is what defines the race. Riders are stripped down to the essentials. There is no escape from the accumulated distance and elevation here.

And just like that, it’s over. The initial spark of joy is quickly overshadowed by the quiet sadness that the adventure has come to an end.

CP9 → Finish

CP9 – Self-validation
52 km to go — the race is not over
GPS: 50.8371072°N, 14.3567678°E