Where to ride when you've only got a few hours and live in the city? We asked our riders, ambassadors, and HF crew to share their go-to spots when they need a quick escape on two wheels — to recharge, catch a bit of flow, and soak in some views. Every city hides a gem worth discovering — whether it's a trail that kicks you into gear better than espresso, or a forest ride made for a chill family spin. Read on and get inspired by local tips on where to ride, where to hang out post-ride, and what to throw in your backpack before you head out.
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Jakub Říha, HF rider/HF office crew
1. What’s your top tip for a bike trip from your city? And why this one in particular?
Since I live in the southwest part of Prague, it’s definitely Točná. It’s a legendary forest park crisscrossed with trails and singletracks, attracting bikers from all over the city.
2. How far is this spot from the city? Can you get there by public transport/train, or do you need a car?
It’s practically part of Prague. Točná is on the edge of the Komořany district, so you can get there by train or bus – although hauling a bike on public transport isn’t exactly the most fun. Plus, it’s right next to Točná Airport, so if you’ve got a plane, you can just fly straight in. :-D
3. What’s the best thing about riding in your area? (terrain, nature, community, flow, views...?)
It’s the combination – you’re basically still in the city, but it feels like you’re deep in the forest. And on top of that, there are awesome trails right in Prague.
4. Is there a spot where bikers meet up after a ride? (snack bar, café, pumptrack, bike shop, bar...?)
Yeah, for sure! The cult spot is called “Malá Točná” – a little clearing full of jumps where you’ve got a solid chance of running into your crew. And if they’re not there, they’re probably down by the river at the legendary “U posledního Kelta” stand – great food, cold beer, and a chill vibe.
5. Which trail in your area is ideal for beginners/families, and which one is pure adrenaline for experienced riders?
The whole forest park is packed with trails, although none of them are officially marked. That said, I’d recommend a trail called “Oběšenec” – it’s definitely one of my personal favorites.
6. What would you definitely recommend packing for a ride in your area? (weather, terrain, repairs...?)
Haha, definitely bring a spare tube or tire plugs – some of the trails are seriously sharp. And heads up – bring cash, because “U Kelta” doesn’t take cards. :-)
7. What does your ideal bike day in your region look like?
The ideal day? Spending it on the trails with friends – shredding, sending some jumps, and wrapping it up with a hot dog and a cold beer.
Location: Brno, Czech Republic
David Polesný aka Trail Hunter, HF ambassador/rider
1. What’s your top tip for a bike trip from your city? And why this one in particular?
I live in Brno, and these days I usually head out to Zamilec, a spot on the northern edge of the city. The trails there have been around for something like thirty years, but now the local crew has managed to legalize, renovate, and improve them. So riding there now is pure joy – it really feels great to come back.
2. How far is this spot from the city? Can you get there by public transport/train, or do you need a car?
It’s in the forest on the edge of Brno – maybe even still technically within city limits. You can get pretty close by public transport, and there’s also convenient parking just a short walk from the trails.
3. What’s the best thing about riding in your area? (terrain, nature, community, flow, views...?)
Overall, the area around Brno is really nice for riding. On the northern side, there are forests everywhere, full of paths and hiking trails – and if you keep your eyes open with a biker’s mindset, you’ll find plenty of hidden trails too. It might not seem like it, but there are actually some decent hills around, so there’s no shortage of fun descents and the trails aren’t exactly short either.
4. Is there a spot where bikers meet up after a ride? (snack bar, café, pumptrack, bike shop, bar...?)
Probably, but that’s not really my thing. I usually meet up with the guys in the woods and we just ride as much as time allows. Then we usually rush back to our families, work, and all that. We just enjoy the ride as much as we can and catch up while pedaling back up to the trails.
5. Which trail in your area is ideal for beginners/families, and which one is pure adrenaline for experienced riders?
The trails in Mariánské údolí are great for beginners – they’re super accessible and easy to ride. For more advanced riders, Zamilec or Netro have what it takes to keep even the more demanding ones stoked.
6. What would you definitely recommend packing for a ride in your area? (weather, terrain, repairs...?)
Nothing special really – just the usual basics.
7. What does your ideal bike day in your region look like?
You can actually see that in one of my recent videos, when the Horsefeathers crew came over and I showed them around a bit. We hit a few laps and had some fun sessions at Zamilec, then moved on to some flow trails in nearby Jedovnice. Ideally, I’d throw in a few enduro trails in between – there are plenty of those around here too. Basically, the perfect ride for me is as varied as possible – jumps, forest sections, roots, loam, and smooth flow all in one day.
Location: Pilsen, Czech Republic
Tomáš "Leader" Zejda, HF rider
1. What’s your top tip for a bike trip from your city? And why this one in particular?
I really enjoy riding the pumptrack in Pilsen. It’s made of asphalt, so you can ride it pretty much in any weather. It’s a multifunctional track for all ages and skill levels. I usually go there with my son, who’s already starting to shred pretty nicely too.
2. How far is this spot from the city? Can you get there by public transport/train, or do you need a car?
There are plenty of options – you can take a bus, a train, drive, or just ride your bike there. It’s only a few kilometers away, so it really depends on your mood and how much time you’ve got.
3. What’s the best thing about riding in your area? (terrain, nature, community, flow, views...?)
I really enjoy the community and the nature. Plzeň offers a lot of options – trail riding, enduro, there’s an awesome skatepark nearby, and I’ve had my fair share of fun on the road bike too. But the best part? A solid ride followed by a dip in the pond to cool off.
4. Is there a spot where bikers meet up after a ride? (snack bar, café, pumptrack, bike shop, bar...?)
There are quite a few bike crews in Plzeň, so we often run into each other right on the trails. But I usually ride solo – as soon as I’ve got 2–3 hours free, I just pack up and head out on a spontaneous ride.
5. What would you definitely recommend packing for a ride in your area? (weather, terrain, repairs...?)
Definitely a phone, just in case you need to call for help. Also a spare tube, a pump, a multitool, and a windbreaker in case the weather takes a turn.
6. What does your ideal bike day in your region look like?
An ideal day? A full day in the bike park with a bunch of good friends. Pushing each other, good vibes, lots of laughs, great food, and a cold beer to wrap it up. Riding is pure relaxation and a total reset for me – you switch off your head, focus only on the ride, and let the adrenaline flow full blast.
Location: Košice, Slovakia
Peter Kaľavský, HF office crew
1. What’s your top tip for a bike trip from your city? And why this one in particular?
Since I’m a dad of two, there’s not much time for long rides. That’s exactly why my favorite spot is KE.CY – the Košice City Trails.
2. How far is this spot from the city? Can you get there by public transport/train, or do you need a car?
It’s literally around the corner. It’s right next to the city, up on a hill. I usually ride there directly, but it’s also easily accessible by public transport.
3. What’s the best thing about riding in your area? (terrain, nature, community, flow, views...?)
For me, it’s definitely the fact that Košice is surrounded by forests on one side, so you’re in nature within minutes. And then there’s the variety of riding – even though we don’t have a classic bike park, you can still have a blast on the trails, the BMX track, pumptrack, or dirt park. And the quality of those spots keeps getting better and better.
4. Is there a spot where bikers meet up after a ride? (snack bar, café, pumptrack, bike shop, bar...?)
The most popular local hangout is probably Kembridž. :-)
5. Which trail in your area is ideal for beginners/families, and which one is pure adrenaline for experienced riders?
For beginners – even with kids – the DržHubu trail is a great place to start. And for more experienced riders looking to go all in, Lesmír or Davidoff are the way to go.
6. What would you definitely recommend packing for a ride in your area? (weather, terrain, repairs...?)
A good mood. :-)
7. What does your ideal bike day in your region look like?
A few laps on the KE.CY trails, and then finishing it off at the pumptrack. :-)
Location: Verbier, Switzerland
René Leitner, HF ambassador/rider
1. What’s your top tip for a bike trip from your city? And why this one in particular?
I used to live in Crans-Montana and Verbier – and those places are absolute bike paradises. When it comes to top rides in the area, Verbier and Crans-Montana are hands down the winners. Why? Because Verbier offers an insane variety of trails – from easy ones to seriously hardcore, from short flowy sections to long, epic descents. And the views? You’re staring at the mountains all day long and never even want to take your helmet off.
Crans-Montana is just as awesome – super accessible, perfectly shaped trails, always fresh and ready to ride. Honestly, 11 out of 10.
2. How far is this spot from the city? Can you get there by public transport/train, or do you need a car?
Both spots are high up in the mountains. You can get to the valley by train, but from there you’ll need a car, a bus, or a lift – in Verbier’s case, the gondola takes you all the way up from Martigny. Crans-Montana has a funicular railway that gets you up there. So yeah, it’s doable without a car, but if you’re bringing a bike, it takes a bit of planning.
3. What’s the best thing about riding in your area? (terrain, nature, community, flow, views...?)
The views are straight out of a fairy tale, the terrain is on another level, and the nature is so stunning it literally takes your breath away. And the community? Riders from all over the world come here – positive vibes, no egos, just pure chill.
4. Is there a spot where bikers meet up after a ride? (snack bar, café, pumptrack, bike shop, bar...?)
There are tons of spots. In Verbier, there’s pretty much a bar on every corner – from the top of the mountain all the way down to the village. Plus, they’ve got these iconic scenic chill zones called “balconies” where you just sit down, grab a beer, and soak up the mountain views. Crans-Montana is pretty much the same – plenty of options to kick back and relax after your ride.
5. Which trail in your area is ideal for beginners/families, and which one is pure adrenaline for experienced riders?
Crans-Montana has some great flow trails, but if I had to recommend something truly beginner-friendly, I’d go with Verbier – there’s a unique flow trail at the top called La Tsenelle. And for those looking to go full send, there are plenty of gnarly lines for experienced riders too.
6. What would you definitely recommend packing for a ride in your area? (weather, terrain, repairs...?)
Definitely check the weather forecast! Even up high, it can get surprisingly hot, so layer smart – no heavy extras, but be ready for changes. As for gear, bring the basics: a spare tube, pump, multitool... just the essentials to keep you rolling if something goes sideways.
7. What does your ideal bike day in your region look like?
Morning coffee with the crew at 8:30, then a full day on the bike. We ride trails, push each other, and pick whatever lines match the mood and our legs. At the end of the day, we always hit an “end of trail day” – a natural trail that takes us all the way down into the valley. Then it’s back up to Verbier by lift and straight to the grill and a cold beer.
