Singltrek Suchák: forest singletracks on Suchý vrch for children, hobby riders and a longer ride to Bouda

Singltrek Suchák is exactly the kind of trail place that does not shout about itself with lifts, huge jumps and marketing banners. It lies quietly on the slopes of Suchý vrch, starts at Červenovodské sedlo and works mainly as a forest singletrack for people who want to ride smoothly, safely and in nature. No lift, no bikepass, no waiting at a gate. You arrive, check the trail status, put on your helmet and ride.

The official website lists a Singltrek trail network of approximately 22 km. The loop map works with three main routes: the green Okolo Hvězdy loop is 5.4 km, the blue Pod Bradlem loop is 7.9 km and the red K Boudě loop is 15.0 km. Different numbers appear in different sources for singletrack areas depending on whether they count the actual trail network, loops including shared sections or full ridden combinations. For a normal visitor, the practical thing is to follow the mapped loops.

Why go

Suchák is excellent for families with children, beginners, hobby riders and anyone who wants natural trail riding without a large resort atmosphere. The trails are one-way, designed with gentle gradients and without heavy technical obstacles. That does not mean you will be bored. It means you can focus on rhythm, corners, rollers and bike handling instead of wondering every twenty metres whether you should have written a will.

The second advantage is the landscape. You ride around Suchý vrch, in the forests of Orlicko, with the option to stop at Kramářova chata or combine the red loop with a visit to Bouda artillery fortress. That makes it more than a sporting ride. It is a nice full-day trip where bike, forest, history and a mountain hut meet. Three things that rarely argue on a Czech outing.

Loops and difficulty

The green Okolo Hvězdy loop is the best start. It is 5.4 km long and the official difficulty description recommends it for younger children with parents and less technically skilled cyclists. It helps riders get used to natural trail surface, narrow singletrack, cornering and basic bike handling. If you are bringing children, start here, not on the red loop just because “they will manage somehow”.

The blue Pod Bradlem loop is 7.9 km according to the map. The official description says that riders who handle the green route without problems should try the blue one. This is where more fun begins: rolling terrain, turns, smoother riding and more trail feel. Importantly, the blue route should not have demanding climbs or descents and should not surprise riders with unexpected dangerous obstacles. For most hobby riders, blue will be the most pleasant loop of the day.

The red K Boudě loop is 15.0 km and is the longest. It is meant for riders who already have some mountain-bike handling or who ride the blue route confidently. The official website describes the red trail as moderately difficult, smooth and dynamic, allowing riders to play with the bike. Do not expect extreme enduro, but expect a longer route, more fatigue and more concentration from less experienced children.

For children and beginners

Singltrek Suchák is good for children, but not for every child-bike setup. The FAQ recommends riding with children older than 5 years and starting with the green loop. It also does not recommend bike trailers, child seats or tow bars. Narrow trails require agile handling and not all places can be ridden safely with a trailer or tow bar.

In practice, that means a child should ride independently, be able to brake, corner, hold a line and react to instructions. At Suchák, the question is not whether a child can ride the distance on a riverside cycle path. The question is whether they can manage a narrow forest trail, corners and riding without unnecessary stopping in the middle of the line. If yes, it can be one of the best first singletrack experiences.

Prices, rental and services

There is no entry fee at Singltrek Suchák. The official FAQ mentions a voluntary contribution for maintenance and development. That is fair to remember at freely accessible trails: when you do not pay through a bikepass, someone still deals with maintenance, marking, drainage, fallen trees and weather damage.

Important practical point: no services are directly connected with Singltrek Suchák and bikes cannot be rented there. Arrive with your own bike, basic tools, pump, spare tube or repair kit, water and a snack. The official trailhead page lists simple refreshments at Červenovodské sedlo, near Bouda fortress on the red loop and at Kramářova chata on Suchý vrch, but check their opening hours separately before travelling.

Current trail status

Trail status is essential at Suchák. The official page stated on 12 May 2026 that all three loops were open: green, blue and red. On the red loop, however, it warned riders near the end of section 6 Kozí to take care at a forest-road crossing under reconstruction.

Always check the current status before travelling. The FAQ explicitly notes that although the trails are legally freely accessible year-round, closures may occur due to forestry, trail repairs, storm damage, thaw or long rain. A waterlogged trail is not a heroic challenge; it is a great way to damage the trail and annoy the people maintaining it.

Safety and equipment

You do not need a downhill bike or a full-face helmet for Suchák. You will enjoy it most on a mountain bike, even a hardtail, if it is in good condition. The basics are a helmet, gloves, working brakes and tyres suitable for forest surface. In your backpack take water, a small snack, spare tube or repair kit, pump, basic tools and a light wind jacket. Weather on Suchý vrch can change faster than the plan “we will only ride a short loop”.

Dogs in the forest follow normal rules: free roaming is prohibited. If you bring a dog, keep it under control and remember that a narrow one-way trail, a faster cyclist and a leash across the trail is a combination nobody involved wants to experience.

Who it suits

Singltrek Suchák suits families with children, beginners, less technically confident riders, hardtail riders and anyone wanting calmer natural singletrack without a lift. It is excellent as a first singletrack experience or as a lighter day between more demanding bikeparks in the region.

It is less suitable for people looking for big jumps, black enduro stages, lift operation, rental directly at the trail or full resort facilities. Suchák is not Kraličák or Dolní Morava. It is a forest singletrack. And that is exactly its charm.

What to watch out for

The biggest risk is underestimating the length of the red loop and overestimating children. Green and blue are a good start; red is more of a longer trip. The second risk is wet conditions. After rain and during thaw, wait for official information that the trails are ready.

The third thing is the absence of rental and direct services. If you puncture or your bike starts acting up, you will not be standing by a service tent. You will be in the forest on Suchý vrch. A beautiful place, yes, but with a broken chain its beauty can become quite philosophical.

Summary

Singltrek Suchák is a friendly, natural and well-graded trail area at Červenovodské sedlo. It offers the green Okolo Hvězdy loop, the blue Pod Bradlem loop and the red K Boudě loop, has no entry fee and best suits families, beginners and hobby riders. Do not expect a lift, rental or a large resort. Expect forest, smooth turns, gentle gradients, Suchý vrch and a ride that can become quietly addictive.