The weather forecast for the extended summer weekend was uncertain, with the possibility of rain, but nevertheless I chose the destination of Velká Deštná (meaning “the Big Rainy Mountain”). And it paid off – except for a foggy view from Deštná itself, the weather stayed exemplary all three days.
Route: from Hradec Králové following a pleasant, tree-shaded cycle path around the river Labe, to the Rozkoš dam, via Náchod, Dobrošov and Olešnice, from there over the ridge of the Orlické Mountains with a stop at the lookout tower on Velká Deštná, and then down from the mountains towards Žamberk, following rivers Orlice and Loučná to Pardubice, then around the river Cidlina to Poděbrady and following the river Labe back to Prague.
