About the 2026 Race Route
In 2026 the race will traverse four countries: Slovakia, Austria, Czechia, and Poland. As is tradition, we will start in Bratislava’s wider city centre, on the square by the refurbished historic spinning mill. City police patrols will guide all participants through the first kilometres, after which you will join the cycle path leading into neighbouring Austria. The 35-kilometre opening segment finishes with the popular climb to Braunsberg in Hainburg, Austria.
Two segments in Czechia follow. The first is an easier mandatory section in South Moravia, the second is a demanding sequence of climbs to the Dlouhé stráně pumped-storage power plant and to the transmitter on the summit of Praděd (highest point of the route at 1,491 meters above sea level).
The return to Slovakia will not come for free. The fourth mandatory segment tackles the hills of the White Carpathians and finishes with a steep climb to the village of Vršatské Podhradie.
The mountain hotel Poľana is the cherry on top of segment five. Before it you will face a series of gentler climbs in a protected volcanic landscape area.
The race concludes along the Slovak–Polish border. We will be waiting for you at Hotel Bocy in the popular Veľká Rača – Oščadnica ski area.
GPX files for the mandatory segments are available on Google Drive.
Routing and Navigation Partner
1,000 km
RTSK ’26 #1 Braunsberg
Bratislava’s most beloved climb actually sits across the border in Austria, just a few kilometres from Slovakia.
You will reach Braunsberg via cycle paths and quiet Austrian roads. The opening segment does not pile on elevation, yet the final steep ramps will warm you up quickly.
Be especially cautious on both the climb and descent. You will likely meet dozens of other cyclists here at the same time.
RTSK ’26 #2 Mikulov
Mikulov sits at the heart of one of Central Europe’s most beautiful wine regions. The surrounding hills are not high, yet the constant rollers on the way to the segment will make your legs work.
RTSK ’26 #3 Praděd
The first major test combines the climb to the Dlouhé stráně pumped-storage plant and then to Praděd, the highest mountain in Moravia.
For many, this will be the target to close out day one, while those chasing the fastest times will likely hit it during the first night.
RTSK ’26 #4 White Carpathians
The Slovak–Czech border brings a series of smaller hills, capped by a steep ramp to Vršatské Podhradie.
Another major challenge is to plan your transfer smartly to the next segment.
RTSK ’26 #5 Poľana
The segment finishes at Mountain Hotel Poľana. The good news is a new, pristine asphalt approach. The bad news is that the climb is far from easy, especially after a sequence of smaller rises earlier in the segment.
You will also need to plan your transfer to Zázrivá for the start of the final segment. A gravel descent into the valley may tempt some, while others will prefer returning via smooth tarmac. The choice is yours.
RTSK ’26 #6 Finish
The final challenge is the climb from Zázrivá toward Oravská Lesná. A short dip into Poland follows, then back into Slovakia, and a gentle rise through Oščadnica to Hotel Bocy.
Finish at Hotel Bocy
The race finishes at Hotel Bocy, located in the popular ski area of Oščadnica. Everyone reaching the finish can rest, shower, and, if desired, stay overnight. The accommodation is hostel-style in multi-bed rooms, each with an anteroom, private bathroom (WC, shower or tub), TV, and Wi-Fi.
We would be delighted if you chose to stay with us in the beautiful surroundings of Oščadnica, share your stories from the route, and recover. The price per bed with breakfast is €30. We hope many of you will take this opportunity to both rest and strengthen the community bonds.
The lodge has a capacity of 47 beds and may be fully occupied by organizers and riders during nights three and four of the race. Even if the beds are full, we guarantee you can use common areas to sleep in your own sleeping bag, rest in warmth and dryness, take a shower, eat, and recharge.
650 km
RTSK ’26 #1 Braunsberg
Bratislava’s most beloved climb actually sits across the border in Austria, just a few kilometres from Slovakia.
You will reach Braunsberg via cycle paths and quiet Austrian roads. The opening segment does not pile on elevation, yet the final steep ramps will warm you up quickly.
Be especially cautious on both the climb and descent. You will likely meet dozens of other cyclists here at the same time.
RTSK ’26 #4 White Carpathians
The Slovak–Czech border brings a series of smaller hills, capped by a steep ramp to Vršatské Podhradie.
Another major challenge is to plan your transfer smartly to the next segment.
RTSK ’26 #5 Poľana
The segment finishes at Mountain Hotel Poľana. The good news is a new, pristine asphalt approach. The bad news is that the climb is far from easy, especially after a sequence of smaller rises earlier in the segment.
You will also need to plan your transfer to Zázrivá for the start of the final segment. A gravel descent into the valley may tempt some, while others will prefer returning via smooth tarmac. The choice is yours.
RTSK ’26 #6 Finish
The final challenge is the climb from Zázrivá toward Oravská Lesná. A short dip into Poland follows, then back into Slovakia, and a gentle rise through Oščadnica to Hotel Bocy.
Notice
Mandatory segments may be modified or completely changed, including shortly before the race. Changes or adjustments to segments are not grounds for a refund of the entry fee. Any changes will be made only due to external factors (for example calamity, closure of a section, or an incident at the finish hotel), not arbitrarily.