We may start our trip in the small village of Ležky. This village significantly differs from the character of the landscape as it is located under a massive rocky ridge called the Kapucín (Capuchin). This ridge consists of a high granite cliff, sometimes up to 20 m high divided into tower-like formations. The most famous shape resembling a human's figure is called the Capuchin. However, you cannot ride a bike to reach these wonderful rocks. But we may walk on forest paths, marked with tourist signs.
Behind the village we will find the very busy E48 road, which connects Karlovy Vary with Prague, so we shall try to leave this road as soon as possible. For this purpose we use the nearby field road, which begins a short distance behind the village of Ležky. This road will take us around a deserted house towards Malměřický Forest where it begins following a railway track for about 2 km and will take us to the beginning of Malměřice village. From Malměřice we continue on a road all the way to Blatno. Here, at the railway station we begin to follow the red tourist signs, which after 9 km will bring us to the village of Petrohrad. The red tourist signs mostly follow field paths and forest trails without any significant elevations, which is a good opportunity to get to know the countryside around you. Now we are already in the Jesenické Hills, which is more divided and forested than northern Žatecko and the Rakovník region.
At a crossroad called V nouzi (In distress) we can leave the red markers and take a left and go along a more comfortable field road to the nearby picturesque village of Stebno. From here we will continue towards Petrohrad. We will pass by Stebenský rybník, which certainly deserves our attention. Its northern slope is lined with distinctive rocky formations, mostly hidden in the pine and oak forest. All the beauty is being reflected on the pond's calm water.
To visit the ruins of Petršpurk Castle, we will follow the red sign which leaves a small road near an ancient oak tree and turns towards the castle. The surrounding area around the Gothic castle ruins is probably more interesting than the ruins of the castle itself. We will find here many rocks and ancient oaks. However, this road represents a very difficult bike ride and therefore, you should push your bike from time to time. In 1651, the Czernin clan built a new Baroque chapel from the castle ruins, which is today the most distinctive building in the complex. You may see sunken ancient cellars here. After modifications done in the Romanticism style during the 19th century, the castle remains were damaged mainly by the creation of artificial ruins at the highest point of the construction site.
After visiting the ruins we will take a short but steep downhill ride to get to the village of Petrohrad (Petersburg), where near the edge of the village we will find a chateau with a park. The chateau has a horseshoe ground plan, and each wing was built in a different style. The chateau is currently closed to the public and serves as a psychiatric hospital. We may also examine the chateau garden.
From Petersburg we will go back to the land of hop fields and farms. To do so we will follow the road to the village of Mukoděly. Behind the village we will walk through Blšanky Valley back to Ležky. Here the countryside looks like a typical hop-growing landscape, so we will be passing by many hop fields and hop pickers. For those of you who know what it is like to be a hop picker, this landscape will certainly bring back nostalgic memories br />
Total length 22 km. (including the castle visit)