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Road Route, Stage 1: Travel Guide Bratislava - Moravský Svätý Ján

Your journey begins. The first stage of your road bike adventure starts in Bratislava and follows the Danube and Morava rivers.

Start your journey under the iconic SNP Bridge in Bratislava and follow the promenade along the Danube. At certain point, you will cycle on the road with traffic but with cycle lane to Devín, where the cycle path starts again.

Devín Castle is definitely worth to visit, or at least to stop by under its majestic rock at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. There are several Iron Curtain memorials around as well, worth to remember the darker side of the 20th century history, Cold War. 

After 11 kilometres from the start, you turn north and follow the Danube river. Most of your cycling experience will follow the former border road built for the guards of communist totalitarian regime in Czechoslovakia (1948-1989).

Make a stop at 15 km in Devínska Nová Ves by the Cycling Bridge of Freedom (often called the Chuck Norris bridge by locals according to a social media poll 🙂 ), that crosses the Morava river to a elegant Scholsshof chateau in Austria. There are also interesting 20th history relics as Iron Curtain barbed wire or a 1930’s military bunker.

From here, say good bye to prefabs and civilization. Picturesque natural landcapes of the Morava river floodplains will accompany for the rest of your stage with only a few villages. At 19km you ride under the charming historic Marchegg viaduct, built as a part of the first train route between Vienna, Pressburg (Bratislava) and Budapest in the late 1840’s.

At 27 km you have a chance to cross the cycling bridge to Austrian village Marchegg. However, for cheaper beer or kofola continue other 6 km to Vysoká pri Morave, or to the westernmost village in Slovakia, Záhorská Ves (42 km). Local pub U Blažeja offers authentic fast food lunch as sausage or pickled cheese.

The next village Suchohrad (46 km) is your last option to refill water or buy snacks before the longest natural section (30 km) all the way to the goal of today, Moravský Svätý Ján. However, if you don’t mind riding on the road with traffic and feel like swimming in the lake surrounded by pine trees forests, make a small detour to Gajary, Rudava and Malé Leváre. 

 

76 kilometres

Distance

+ 200 metres

Elevation gain

Medium

Difficulty

Click for directions

Road Route Stage 1: Bratislava – Moravský Svätý Ján

Pubs and restaurants

Where to eat and drink along the way?

Cafe Ahoy / 10 km

Cosy open-air café near the lighthouse at the Danube promenade in Devín. If it is still closed, you find other options near the entrance to the Devín Castle.

U Blažeja / 42 km

One of the few spots to have a fast food lunch at a local pub with friendly prices and happy locals in the westernmost village in Slovakia, Záhorská Ves.

Bufet u Komára, Rudava / 62 km

If you feel like taking a small detour to visit Rudava lake, there are a few pubs to refresh yourself and fill in some energy after swimming.

Bed and Breakfast

Where will you stay for the night?

Per Tutti / Moravský Svätý Ján

One of the very few options for accommodation, but should provide all the basic needs.

Contact information

Address: Prievozská 782, Moravský Svätý Ján

Telephone: +421 911 251 812

Email: aj.pertutti@gmail.com

What to see

Interesting locations along the route

Devín Castle / 10 km

Majestic medieval castle ruin above the confluence of Danube and Morava rivers. Opened 10am – 6pm, entrance 8€. Or just enjoy the view from below.

Freedom Bridge / 15 km

It is worth to stop by the Freedom Bridge to Austria, with a memorial of escapes across the Iron Curtain, WWII bunker and a barbed wire fence.

Rudava Lake / 62 km

Picturesque lake with sandy beaches surrounded by pine tree forests. Worth to make a small detour from original route through Gajary and Malé Leváre in case of a sunny day and desire to swim. 🙂

Repair shops

Bike repair shops along the route

Šuhaj Servis

Small but flexible and friendly shop in Bratislava city centre. They repair bikes for local bike messenger so you should be in good hands!

C shop / Devínska Nová Ves

Pod Glavicou 2, Devínska Nová Ves, Bratislava
Opening hours: Mo – Fr, 10am – 5pm

KoloSport / Malacky

1 mája 12, Malacky
Opening hours:
Mo – Fr, 8am – 5pm
Sa, 8am – 2pm

Things to do in Moravský Svätý Ján

There are several options to mingle with locals at pubs and have a beer / shot, if you are ready for smoked interiors. Try Hostinec na rohu, Šenk u Sekerky or Vináreň Leskovský, all within  5 minutes walking distance from your accommodation to crawl back. 🙂

For a bit more sophisticated gastronomy, i.e. if you wish to eat as well, head to the bordering village Sekule. Go for pizza or kebab at U Štorových Restaurant, Destra Restaurant, or for sweet stuff to Pamlska or to closer Cukráreň.

There is also a local brewery Svätojánsky pivovar, though not open regularly, but it is worth to try for beer lovers to try. 🙂