Sedlčany sits in the Central Bohemian uplands south of Prague, in a landscape of low hills, forests, fields and fishponds. The town itself is modest, with a market square, a Gothic church and a scattering of shops and cafés, but the countryside around it is the real attraction.
To the west, the Vltava carves a deep, winding valley, flooded in stretches by the dams of the Vltava cascade. The Slapy and Orlík reservoirs create long, fjord-like lakes between steep wooded banks, and their shores are lined with holiday cabins and campsites. Castles and chateaux are scattered through the area, including Orlík, perched above the water, and Vysoký Chlumec on its rocky hill, home to a well-known brewery.
The riding here is among the best close to Prague. Roads wind through forests and along valley sides, with plenty of bends, short climbs and descents, and views over the water. Surfaces vary, and some minor roads are narrow and rough, so take care. Traffic is light on weekdays but can increase on summer weekends when Praguers head to their cottages.
Sedlčany has fuel, food and basic services. As a scenic stretch, it offers a taste of rural Bohemia at its most relaxed, with quiet roads, gentle landscapes and a sense of being far from the city, even though Prague is only an hour away.