Parcours length: 120 km
Highest point: 880 meters / elevation profile 2,300 m
Distance from the start: 800 km
The longest parcours on this edition of the race will guide riders through the northern edge of the Ore Mountain range that forms the border between Germany and the Czech Republic.
Starting from the small town of Osek riders immediately face a punchy climb to gain the plateau where a mixed surface route will guide them into the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Národní park České Švýcarsko). The park is known for beautiful and unique sandstone formations and riders will traverse the Tiské stěny which tower over the village of Tisá.
The route visits the historic town of Děčín on the banks of the river Elbe which was built on the foundations of an ancient settlement at the Elbe Ford, an important trade route. Děčín castle, originally built in the 10th century by the dukes of Bohemia, dominates the river bank on a rocky outcrop. The castle features a long and imposing drive leading towards the entrance called the long journey ("Dlouha jizda").
The route finishes with a descent towards Litoměřice where rider’s point their handlebars southwards, traversing the south east corner of Germany, aiming for the Alps.
Control Point 1 lies roughly 800 km from the start in Geraardsbergen and riders will have around 4 days to reach the control location whilst our volunteers are present and the control is operational. Control Point 1 is located at Horní Krupka Hotel, Czechia (50.706776, 13.856462).