The Czechs know how to build interesting trails! Trutnov Trails are routes that mostly run through rocky terrain, which has been used to create interesting, often challenging features. However, there is no shortage of smooth, flowy sections with perfect berms, and the wide variety of trail difficulties means that everyone can find something for themselves.
Trutnov is located near the Polish border, southeast of the Krkonoše Mountains. It’s a 2-hour drive from Wrocław, 1 hour from Wałbrzych.
Most of the cycling trails start at the top of Kozí kameny.
The parking lot is here: www.trailforks.com/poi/70442/ and from there, riding to the top at a leisurely pace on an analog bike takes about an hour. The trails end at various points, and the ride back up takes about 30-45 minutes. There are two climbing trails. Panský stoupák is longer and gentler, partly on singletrack and partly on a paved road.
The second option is Zkratka, a shorter but quite steep trail.
Below is a map from the official Trutnov Trails website. You can also find all the trails on Trailforks.
Easy Trails (Blue) in Trutnov Trails
A must-have for beginners, but not only them, is the Kozí trail. I was amazed by it 3 years ago when I first visited Trutnov, and it still amazes me just as much. I’ve ridden in many bike parks, on many singletracks, and I know few trails that ride as smoothly as Kozí. The trail is mostly smooth, with rollers and gentle berms, but it’s varied with rocky sections, rock gardens, a wallride, swings, and a narrow footbridge (northshore). For advanced riders, there are gaps (which of course can be bypassed) and double rollers. The trail has two gravel connectors about 200-500 meters long, but it’s still a 5-star trail! The end has two variants: an easy one and a slightly more difficult one. In the video below, we took the more difficult one.
The second must-have is Floutek. A completely smooth trail with larger berms, also very well shaped. It’s fast! The best part is the high berms, which you can see in the video below from 6:48. Like a rollercoaster!
For beginners, I also recommend the Bunkr trail. It’s the longest trail in Trutnov Trails. It starts on a nearby hill at a lookout tower, which offers a pretty nice view.
It ends 6 km away, almost at the parking lot. The trail has an XC character, meaning it’s not purely downhill. It includes a few climbs of about 100-400 m. In the lower part, two other trails branch off from Bunkr: Krakonoš, which is also marked as blue and I haven’t had a chance to ride yet, and the red Rýbrcoul. The latter has an enduro character, i.e., a natural path, sometimes with roots and occasional tight turns. More difficult than Bunkr, but easy for a red trail.
The short trail Myší dírou is also marked red, but I would say it’s blue. A very pleasant descent without any particular difficulties.
You also can’t miss the short Trubka trail, which starts right by the parking lot.
Intermediate Trails (Red) in Trutnov Trails
One of the classics of Trutnov Trails is Modřínový. Something is always happening on this trail! It starts with rock gardens and large boulders, which you can ride over or take an easier bypass. Then a slight climb and a scenic section along a precipice. Next comes a flowy part with gentle berms, varied with boulders, and then a bash through rocks. A great trail!
The second classic is Perníkový. Here too, you’ll encounter many rock gardens and boulders.
The Adr Express trail has a different style. It branches off from the Bunkr trail and has an enduro character. The difficulty lies in the steep, tight turns in the first part of the trail.
The trail Schody is much less frequented than the others. It is officially marked red, but blue on Trailforks. I haven’t had a chance to ride it yet.
Difficult Trails (Black) in Trutnov Trails
The easiest of the black trails is Boulder, which branches off from Modřínový. It has two difficult sections: a rock face and northshores. Both can be bypassed, and then the difficulty feels like red to me.
The Pod jeskyňkou trail also isn’t as difficult as black might suggest. The hardest section is from 6:41 to 7:30 in the video below. There are two lines. I took the easier, longer way around, while the other goes straight over large, steep boulders. I’m not even considering trying that one yet.
The other black trails are short and truly black. One of them is Ptačí perspektiva, which branches off from Modřínový. You can see the most difficult section from 1:20 in my video. It’s a rock face and two hairpin turns – very tight corners. Something currently beyond my skill level.
I also skipped the large boulder near the end of the trail, which supposedly isn’t difficult, but my imagination tells me it is ;)
The remaining two trails branch off from Bunkr. First is Střílna. This trail has two variants at the beginning. I took the easier one, as the harder one didn’t look fun to me ;) The next major difficulty starts at 2:30. Hairpin turns over boulders, immediately followed by a tall, narrow boulder from which it’s easy to fall off. The second part of the trail is somewhat easier, but still black.
Lower down is Jezevec. It starts with sharp, steep turns, then a rock face further on, but the worst is at the end. Even walking down was difficult. A red variant runs around it, which I will definitely take next time.
A little further from all the trails is the Žiletka loop. I haven’t ridden it yet, but I know it’s an XC-style trail, supposedly with steep climbs and descents.
Where to eat during your Trutnov Trails trip?
Best at the pub at the Trutnov Trails base, located here: www.trailforks.com/poi/7560/. It’s open until 18:00, but outside the summer season, only on weekends. It’s also good to know about the water spring on the Modřínový trail. It’s located a few meters below the gravel road, right here: www.trailforks.com/poi/47095/
The parking lot is located such that it’s not very convenient to go back to the car for a drink or food.
How much does Trutnov Trails cost?
Both riding the trails and parking are free. However, voluntary contributions are welcome, which you can make by buying a wristband at the Trail Centre or by making a bank or PayPal transfer. Details can be found here: trutnovtrails.cz/podportenas/.
Do you like these rocky vibes? If so, you’ll also like the Rychlebské stezky. I haven’t explored all the trails there yet, but you can find some of them on my channel: youtube.com.
Thank you :)
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