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Cycle paths and tourist trails in the surroundings of Luhačovice

Stručná odpověď

Luhačovice offers extensive outdoor infrastructure beyond its spa facilities, including dozens of kilometres of marked cycling paths, hiking trails and nature routes through the surrounding Moravian landscape. The area suits both casual walkers and cyclists looking to explore the White Carpathian foothills. Hotel Vincent serves as a convenient base for these outdoor activities.



Luhačovice isn’t just about spas, springs and the colonnade. The surroundings of this Moravian spa town offer dozens of kilometres of cycling paths, marked hiking trails and nature trails that will delight families with children as well as experienced athletes. The undulating landscape of the Vizovické vrchy hills, expansive meadows of the White Carpathians and flat banks of the Baťa Canal create ideal conditions for cycling in Luhačovice and hiking in every season. In this article, we bring you a complete guide to the best routes, practical equipment tips and recommendations on where to head based on your fitness level and mood.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful family ride along the canal, a challenging ascent to the highest peak of the White Carpathians, or an educational walk following architect Jurkovič’s footsteps, Luhačovice and its surroundings offer exactly what you need. And after a full day’s excursion, well-deserved rest awaits you in one of Moravia’s most pleasant corners.

Cycling in Luhačovice and Surroundings

The Zlín Region has invested significant funds in recent years in building cycling infrastructure, and Luhačovice benefits greatly from this. The town and its surroundings are connected by a network of cycling paths and cycle routes of varying difficulty, from flat asphalt paths suitable for families to challenging terrain singletracks in the White Carpathian hills. Thanks to connections with the regional cycling network, you can set off from Luhačovice in practically any direction and always find a marked route.

Luhačovice cycle path is the main urban route that runs directly through the town centre and connects the main points of interest — from the spa park through the dam to surrounding villages. This is an asphalt path with gentle elevation, suitable for all types of bikes including children’s bikes. Other routes to the surroundings branch off from this main axis, so it serves as a natural starting point for any cycling trip.

Family Cycling Paths — Baťa Canal and Other Flat Routes

If you’re looking for a family cycling path without hills and with minimal elevation gain, head to the Baťa Canal. This unique waterway, originally built by the Baťa company in the 1930s for lignite transport, has transformed into one of the most popular cycle tourism routes in Moravia. The cycling path along the canal runs on flat, predominantly asphalt surface and is ideal for families with children, seniors and less experienced cyclists.

From Luhačovice, you can reach the canal with a comfortable ride towards Uherské Hradiště. The cycling path along the Baťa Canal has a total length of approximately 80 kilometres and runs from Otrokovice to Skalica on the Slovak border. You certainly don’t need to cycle the entire route — just choose a section according to your strength and time. A popular family trip is the circuit from Luhačovice through Pozlovice to the dam and further to Slavičín, or alternatively through Biskupice to the Baťa Canal.

Along the canal, you’ll find regularly spaced rest areas with benches, information boards and bike stands. Many locations have harbours with boat rentals and refreshments, so you can enhance your ride with a boat trip or a stop at one of the harbour cafés. Children will be fascinated watching boats navigate through the locks — it’s a captivating sight for young and old alike.

Practical information for the Baťa Canal:

Other family routes in the immediate vicinity of Luhačovice include the circuit around Luhačovice Dam (approx. 3 km, flat asphalt, ideal even for balance bikes and scooters) and the cycling path towards Pozlovice and Ludkovice, which leads through peaceful countryside along a stream with minimal car traffic.

Mountain Biking in the White Carpathians and Vizovické vrchy Hills

For lovers of mountain biking in Moravia, Luhačovice is literally a gateway to two exceptional mountain ranges. To the southeast rise the White Carpathians — a protected landscape area with expansive White Carpathian meadows, beech forests and a network of forest roads. To the northwest lies the Vizovické vrchy — a lesser-known but equally interesting mountain range with a dense network of terrain trails and surprising elevation gains.

The White Carpathians offer ideal terrain for mountain bikes. Forest roads and compacted trails lead across meadows full of orchids (in spring), through beech groves and open ridges with views into Czech and Slovak countryside. A popular mountain bike route is the circuit from Luhačovice through Komňa and Starý Hrozenkov to Velká Javořina (970 m above sea level) and back via Bojkovice. This circuit measures approximately 60 km with elevation gain around 1,200 metres and is suitable for experienced riders.

A shorter but technically interesting alternative is the route from Luhačovice to Komonec (672 m above sea level), which offers beautiful views of the Luhačovice valley and Vizovické vrchy hills. The ascent is challenging, but the reward is descents on forest singletracks that will delight every terrain cyclist.

The Vizovické vrchy hills are a pleasant surprise for many cyclists. Routes from Luhačovice towards Vizovice lead through undulating countryside with frequent viewpoints, pastures and picturesque villages. Popular is the circuit through Vizovice (famous for Rudolf Jelínek liqueur), Slušovice and back to Luhačovice, which measures approximately 45 km with elevation gain around 800 metres. On the route you’ll find several restaurants and pubs where you can replenish your energy.

Tip for mountain bikers: In the White Carpathians and Vizovické vrchy hills, the network of marked cycle routes is supplemented by navigation points from Mapy.cz and Komoot apps. Both apps offer offline maps, which are invaluable in hilly terrain with unstable signal. We recommend planning your route in advance and downloading an offline map of the entire region.

Bike and E-bike Rentals in Luhačovice

You don’t need to drag your own bike — several bike rental shops operate in Luhačovice and surroundings, offering trekking bikes, mountain bikes and increasingly popular electric bikes (e-bikes). E-bikes are an excellent choice in the hilly terrain of the White Carpathians and Vizovické vrchy hills, as they allow you to tackle even challenging routes without extreme physical conditioning.

An e-bike is an ideal solution for couples or groups with different fitness levels. An experienced cyclist takes a regular bike whilst their less fit partner takes an electric bike — and both can enjoy a shared trip without one waiting for the other. Electric bikes are also an excellent choice for seniors who want to explore the surrounding hills but don’t have the stamina for challenging climbs.

Rental shops in Luhačovice and surroundings typically offer:

We recommend booking bikes in advance, especially during peak summer season (July–August) and weekends. Most rental shops offer online booking or telephone arrangements. Some rental shops also provide bike transport to the starting point of routes and collection from the destination, opening possibilities for one-way routes, for example along the Baťa Canal.

Practical tip: The information centre on the colonnade in Luhačovice will advise you on current contacts for local rental shops and help with route selection according to your fitness level. Ask also about the current condition of cycle paths — after heavy rains, some terrain sections in the White Carpathians may be waterlogged.

Hiking Around Luhačovice

Hiking in Luhačovice is one of the main reasons why people come here not only for spa treatments. The town’s surroundings are crossed by a dense network of marked hiking trails, nature trails and themed circuits. From undemanding walks through the spa park via educational routes following architectural monuments to full-day ascents to Carpathian peaks — in Luhačovice, everyone really can find their route.

The Czech Tourist Club (KČT) maintains an extensive network of red, blue, green and yellow marked trails in the region, which are reliable and regularly renewed. Trail marking in the White Carpathians and Vizovické vrchy hills is of very good standard and getting lost is almost impossible — if you follow the markers.

Dušan Jurkovič Nature Trail

The Dušan Jurkovič Nature Trail is one of the most popular walks in Luhačovice and simultaneously one of the most interesting nature trails in Moravia. The route takes you in the footsteps of Slovak architect Dušan Jurkovič, who fundamentally transformed the face of Luhačovice at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with his buildings in the unique style of folk Art Nouveau.

The trail begins in the spa centre and gradually leads you past Jurkovič’s most significant works — Jurkovič House, Villa Chaloupka, Hotel Valaška, Jestřabí, Sluneční lázně and other buildings. At each stop you’ll find information panels with historical photographs, architectural details and interesting facts about the building. The trail comprises approximately 10 stops and completing it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

The route is flat, runs on compacted paths and pavements, and is therefore suitable for pushchairs, elderly people and small children. It combines a pleasant walk through the spa park with learning about unique architecture that has no equivalent in Central Europe. A nomination of Jurkovič’s buildings for the UNESCO World Heritage list is currently being prepared, so you may be walking past future monuments of world significance.

Trail length: approx. 3 km
Elevation gain: minimal
Difficulty: easy
Suitability: families with children, seniors, pushchairs
Recommended time: 1.5–2 hours

To the Lake of Love — Romantic Walk from Ottovka

The Lake of Love is one of the most romantic spots in Luhačovice and the destination of a popular walk that begins at the Ottovka spring and leads along a forest path beside a stream into a quiet valley. According to local legend, the lake brings luck in love to those who look into its waters — and more than one romance has allegedly blossomed here during spa stays.

The route to the Lake of Love is undemanding and leads through pleasant forest surroundings. From the Ottovka spring, located in the valley below a rock on the right bank of Horní Olšava, you continue along a marked path through the forest. The path is lined with mature trees, rocky outcrops and in spring months a carpet of flowers. The lake itself is a small, circular body of water surrounded by greenery, which in the quiet forest environment creates an almost fairytale impression.

You can combine the walk to the lake with visits to other Luhačovice springs — Aloiska and Dr. Šťastný’s Spring, which are located in the nearby area. This creates a pleasant afternoon circuit combining nature, history and mineral water tasting.

Route length: approx. 2.5 km (return from Ottovka)
Elevation gain: gentle (approx. 50 m)
Difficulty: easy
Suitability: couples, families, leisurely walk
Recommended time: 1–1.5 hours

Velká Javořina — Ascent to the Highest Peak of the White Carpathians

Velká Javořina (970 m above sea level) is the highest point of the White Carpathians and one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the entire Zlín Region. The ascent to its summit is for many tourists in Luhačovice the main reason for packing proper boots in their rucksack. From the summit, panoramic views open up over both Czech and Slovak sides of the border — on clear days you can see the Little Carpathians, Javorníky, Vizovické vrchy hills and the ridge of the Western Carpathians.

Two main approaches to Velká Javořina lead from Luhačovice. The northern route goes via Pozlovice, Rudimov and along the White Carpathian ridge. It’s longer (approx. 22 km return), but offers gentler ascent and beautiful views across flowering meadows. The eastern route via Starý Hrozenkov is shorter and steeper, but first requires transport to the starting point.

On the summit of Velká Javořina stands a lookout tower and refreshments operate during summer season. The annual Velká Javořina Festival takes place here — a Czech-Slovak meeting on the border commemorating the shared history of both nations. The summit surroundings belong to the White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area and are famous for White Carpathian meadows with orchids, which are on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve list.

The ascent to Velká Javořina is a full-day affair if you set off on foot directly from Luhačovice. Alternatively, you can complete part of the route by car or bus to Starý Hrozenkov and shorten the walking section to approximately 12 km return with elevation gain around 450 metres.

Route length from Luhačovice: approx. 22 km (return, northern approach)
Elevation gain: approx. 650 m
Difficulty: challenging (medium with shortened approach)
Suitability: experienced hikers, full-day trip
Recommended time: 6–8 hours (from Luhačovice), 3–4 hours (from Starý Hrozenkov)

Lookout Towers Around Luhačovice

The surroundings of Luhačovice are literally dotted with lookout towers and viewpoints that offer diverse views over the Moravian landscape. Walking trips to lookout towers are among the most popular tourist activities in the region and many are suitable for families with children.

Brdo Lookout Tower (587 m above sea level) — one of the closest lookout towers to Luhačovice. The wooden lookout tower on Brdo hill offers circular views over the Vizovické vrchy hills, Luhačovice and on clear days the White Carpathian ridge. The ascent from Luhačovice is a pleasant forest walk of approximately 5 km with elevation gain around 250 metres.

Královec Lookout Tower (655 m above sea level) — located above the village of Valašské Klobouky, approximately 20 km from Luhačovice. The stone lookout tower from 2004 offers views over the White Carpathians, Javorníky and the entire Valašsko region. The ascent from Valašské Klobouky is undemanding and suitable for families.

Doubravenka Lookout Tower — located near the village of Drnovice near Vizovice. This newer wooden lookout tower offers panoramic views over the Vizovické vrchy hills and is easily accessible from the car park at the forest edge.

Velká Javořina Lookout Tower (970 m above sea level) — mentioned above, is the highest-situated lookout tower in the entire region and offers the most far-reaching views over Czech and Slovak sides.

For lookout tower enthusiasts, we recommend the Kingdom of Lookout Towers educational mini-trail directly in Luhačovice, which presents 19 information panels about lookout towers throughout the region over just 109 metres. It’s an excellent starting point for planning lookout tower trips in the surroundings.

Luhačovice Dam — Circuit Around the Lake

The circuit around Luhačovice Dam is one of the most relaxing walks in the entire town. The dam, also called Luhačovice lake, is located in neighbouring Pozlovice and the entire circuit measures approximately 3 kilometres along flat asphalt path. It’s ideal for families with pushchairs, seniors, inline skaters and runners.

The route around the dam offers views over the water surface, swan and duck watching and several rest areas with benches. In summer months, the dam surroundings are full of life — pedal boat and small boat rentals operate here, Duha swimming area and Pirátská zátoka children’s rope centre. You can combine the walk around the dam with visits to these attractions and spend a pleasant afternoon here.

For those who want to extend the circuit, continuing along the Horní Olšava valley towards Ottovka spring and the Lake of Love is available, creating a pleasant route of approximately 6 km in total.

Circuit length: approx. 3 km
Elevation gain: minimal
Difficulty: easy
Suitability: everyone, pushchairs, inline skates
Recommended time: 45 minutes – 1 hour

White Carpathians PLA — Orchid Meadows and Beech Forests

The White Carpathians Protected Landscape Area is one of Moravia’s natural gems and simultaneously a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. For hikers from Luhačovice, it represents an inexhaustible source of routes in beautiful nature. The area is famous particularly for its White Carpathian meadows, where more than 40 species of orchids grow — the largest concentration of these rare plants in Central Europe.

The best period for visiting orchid meadows is May and June, when the meadows burst into colour and offer an unforgettable sight. Among the most beautiful locations accessible from Luhačovice are the Čertoryje nature reserve near Radějov and Porážky near Starý Hrozenkov. Marked hiking trails lead to both locations.

Outside orchid season, the White Carpathians offer beautiful hiking through beech and fir forests, passages across open ridges with panoramic views and visits to traditional villages with preserved folk architecture. In autumn, the local forest is full of mushrooms and the colours of deciduous trees create a breathtaking spectacle.

Best Routes by Difficulty

For better orientation, we’ve divided the best hiking trails and cycling paths around Luhačovice by difficulty. Choose according to your fitness level, experience and time you want to dedicate to the trip.

Easy Routes — For Families, Seniors and Leisurely Trips

These routes can be managed by absolutely everyone and are ideal for rest days when you want to be in fresh air but don’t want to exhaust yourself physically.

Moderately Challenging Routes — For Active Tourists and Recreational Cyclists

Moderately challenging routes require reasonable fitness and appropriate footwear or equipment, but are manageable for most active people.

Challenging Routes — For Experienced Athletes and Adventurers

These routes are intended for experienced hikers and cyclists with appropriate fitness and equipment.

Tips for Hikers and Cyclists

To fully enjoy trips around Luhačovice and avoid unpleasant surprises, we bring several practical recommendations that will be useful.

Best Seasons for Hiking and Cycling

The Luhačovice surroundings are attractive all year round, but each season has its specifics:

What to Take With You

Proper equipment is half the success. Here’s an overview of what you should have according to trip type:

Hiking (full-day):

Cycling:

Maps and Navigation Apps

For route planning and terrain navigation, we recommend the following apps:

Important tip: In the hilly terrain of the White Carpathians and Vizovické vrchy hills, mobile signal is sometimes weak or completely absent. Always download offline maps of the entire region before trips and don’t become completely dependent on online navigation.

Safety on Routes

Hiking and cycling around Luhačovice are generally safe activities, but several principles are good to follow:

Hotel Vincent — Ideal Base for Active Holidays in Luhačovice

After a full day cycling on the Baťa Canal, ascending Velká Javořina or walking to orchids in the White Carpathians, you need a place where you can properly rest and gather strength for the next day. Hotel Vincent in Luhačovice is exactly such a base — quiet, pleasant and strategically located for trips throughout the region.

The hotel offers 13 comfortable rooms including a large family apartment for up to 6 people, which families with children planning active holidays will particularly appreciate. After a demanding day on bike or in the mountains, a spacious outdoor terrace under mature trees awaits you, where you can quietly stretch tired muscles and enjoy a warm evening.

For cyclists, secure bike storage is available. Guests can use a shared kitchen for preparing their own meals — an excellent option if you return from a trip late and restaurants are already closed. In the morning, a hearty buffet breakfast awaits you, giving you energy for another day full of movement.

The hotel is located in a quiet part of Luhačovice near the Radostova sports complex and Luhačovice castle. It’s a pleasant twenty-minute walk to the spa centre with springs and colonnade — which is actually a pleasant way to stretch your body before sleep after

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