Cycling the Suchý and Pustý Valleys: A Loop via Holštejn and Sloup

This loop starts at Skalní Mlýn and takes in both of the big canyons in the northern part of the Moravian Karst. You ride up Suchý žleb (the “Dry Valley”) to Ostrov u Macochy, then on through Holštejn, with its ruined castle, to Šošůvka and Sloup. You finish by freewheeling down Pustý žleb (the “Desolate Valley”), which is closed to cars, back to the start. Depending on the link sections you choose, it measures 23 to 30 km. Along the way you’ll find 3 show caves (Kateřinská, Balcarka and Sloup-Šošůvka), a cave where the skeletons of five headless people were discovered, and a castle starvation dungeon. There are 2 serious climbs, so it isn’t suitable for small children. On an e-bike, almost anyone can manage it.

QUICK LINKS 🗺️ Route section by section · ⚠️ Difficulty · 🔋 Bikes and practical info · ❓ FAQ

In a single day you’ll ride through both famous valleys, see two castles in one (the ruin up top and the starvation dungeon below, in the rock) and pass three caves. And you’ll never spend long riding in traffic.

My recommended direction is this: up Suchý žleb and down Pustý žleb. Suchý žleb climbs gently. From Sloup to Skalní Mlýn, Pustý žleb is almost entirely downhill and car-free, so you can enjoy it at the end of the day.

Route section by section

1. Skalní Mlýn – Suchý žleb – Ostrov u Macochy (about 5–6 km, climbing)

You start at Skalní Mlýn, where you’ll find a car park, refreshments and the Moravian Karst Nature Centre (more in our article on Skalní Mlýn). Follow cycle route no. 5 into Suchý žleb. After 500 metres you pass the Kateřinská Cave (Kateřinská jeskyně), which has the largest underground dome in Czechia and prehistoric drawings (guide to Kateřinská Cave).

Suchý žleb is a canyon about 5 km long between Balcarka Cave and Skalní Mlýn. Around 350 caves have been documented in the rocks along the path. Two of them have a particularly dark story:

• Čertův most (Devil’s Bridge). A rock arch roughly 18 metres high, about 500 metres from Kateřinská Cave. It is the remnant of the ceiling of a cave once carved out by water. In the 19th century it was the region’s second-biggest attraction after the Macocha Abyss. Today it stands in a national nature reserve, inaccessible and overgrown with forest. From the road you can at best catch a glimpse of it in winter and spring, before the trees come into leaf. You’ll find the legend about it in our article Devils in the Moravian Karst.
• Umrlčí jeskyně (the Cave of the Dead). In 1881, the skeletons of five headless people were found in its sediments. They were most likely victims of medieval bandits. The cave is closed to the public, and bats hibernate in it over winter.

The valley ends at Balcarka Cave (jeskyně Balcarka) in Ostrov u Macochy. If you want to go inside, bear in mind that you’ll have to leave your bike outside (guide to Balcarka).

2. Ostrov u Macochy – Holštejn (about 4–10 km depending on the link)

From Ostrov you continue north to Holštejn. The shortest link runs past the Velká dohoda nature area and finishes along cycle route no. 5078. The longer variant goes via Lipovec along routes 5079B and 5080 and a lime-tree avenue. Before setting off, plan your route on Mapy.cz using the cycling mode. Some link sections follow only a hiking trail marker, and that is not a cycle route (rules in the protected landscape area).

Holštejn Castle stood on a limestone crag measuring around 85 × 52 metres. The ruin is freely accessible. In the rock beneath it lies the Hladomorna cave (the “Starvation Dungeon”, also known as Lidomorna). A rock chimney once linked it to the castle. Prisoners were reputedly thrown straight down from the courtyard, where they died from the fall or from hunger. That this is more than legend is proved by the finds: human bones and scraps of clothing, such as buckles, buttons and metal fittings, lay on the cave floor. Entry is forbidden, as it is a bat hibernation site. You can peer in from the entrance.

3. Holštejn – Šošůvka – Sloup (about 4–7 km)

This is where you’ll find the hardest climb of the day: a steep hill from Holštejn up to Šošůvka along cycle route no. 5078. At the top you can rest at the Na Troubkách spring. Beyond Šošůvka you descend along cycle route no. 5 to Sloup and the Sloup-Šošůvka Caves (Sloupsko-šošůvské jeskyně) (guide). Sloup has the most places for refreshments on the whole route, so it’s ideal for a longer break.

4. Sloup – Pustý žleb – Skalní Mlýn (about 6 km, downhill)

The reward at the end. Cycle route no. 5A runs along tarmac through Pustý žleb, which is closed to cars. On the way you pass the Hřebenáč crag and Kůlna Cave. At Skalní Mlýn you’re back at the start (Pustý žleb).

Difficulty

For small children, or for a family that wants to ride only downhill, the shorter Sloup – Pustý žleb – Skalní Mlýn – Blansko route from our article Cycling in the Moravian Karst is a better choice.

Bikes and practical info

• E-bikes can be hired from Ekolorent right in Ostrov u Macochy, which is on the route. You’ll find other rental shops in our article Cycling in the Moravian Karst.
• Bring a bike lock. Bikes aren’t allowed in the caves.
• Cave tours run at fixed times and sell out in season. If you want to see several caves, book in advance and plan your pace accordingly. Prices and opening hours are in the cave price list.
• Riding is permitted only on roads, cycle routes and forest tracks. Both Suchý žleb and Pustý žleb lie within national nature reserves.

FAQ

How long is the Suchý and Pustý valley loop? About 23 to 30 km. It depends on which way you ride from Ostrov u Macochy to Holštejn.

Which way should I ride the loop? Up Suchý žleb and down Pustý žleb. That way, you finish the day with 6 km downhill on a car-free road.

Will I see Devil’s Bridge? Probably not. It is overgrown with forest and stands in a closed reserve. At best you can catch a glimpse of it outside the growing season.

Can I enter Hladomorna Cave below Holštejn? No, it’s a bat hibernation site. You can only peer in from the entrance, though the castle ruin above it is freely accessible.

Can children manage it? Older children used to hills can, but small ones probably can’t. For them, it’s better to ride only down Pustý žleb from Sloup.

Information verified as of 19 September 2026. Sources: Suchý žleb (Wikipedia), Čertův most (Wikipedia), ZO ČSS 6-14 Suchý žleb: Umrlčí jeskyně, Kudy z nudy: Jeskyně Hladomorna u Holštejna, Výlety a zábava: Cyklistický okruh po zajímavostech Moravského krasu, Průvodce koloběhem: Žleby ze Sloupu přes Holštejn a Macochu, AOPK ČR: Cyklistika v CHKO. Route idea: KAM po Česku 7–8/2026.

Spotted a mistake or an out-of-date detail? Tell us.