memorial stone of Josef Cepák

The memorial stone of Josef Cepák stands at the start of the cycling path connecting České Budějovice with Hluboká nad Vltavou, at coordinates 48.9897656, 14.4600744. For cyclists riding this popular route, it's an unusual but meaningful stop — a small monument to the man whose efforts brought the path into existence in the first place.

Who was Josef Cepák?

Josef Cepák was born on 16 July 1950 in Sezimovo Ústí. For many years he worked as a physical education teacher at the Bishop's Grammar School (Biskupské gymnázium) in České Budějovice. It was Cepák who arranged for a climbing wall to be installed in the school gymnasium — a fairly unusual idea at the time, reflecting his enthusiasm for sports that demanded both fitness and courage.

Beyond teaching, Cepák was known locally as a passionate cyclist and an advocate for cycling infrastructure. He reportedly cycled through every country in Europe, and in České Budějovice he actively campaigned for cycling to be treated as everyday transport, not just recreation. His efforts were largely responsible for the creation of the cycling path linking the city with nearby Hluboká nad Vltavou, one of the region's most popular leisure routes.

Why is the stone located here specifically?

Josef Cepák died on 18 August 2010 during an expedition to Mont Blanc, which he had planned as a way of marking his upcoming sixtieth birthday. Climbing with a group of eight, he was descending together with a participant who had begun to feel unwell, on a stretch of terrain considered relatively safe. It was there that he slipped and fell roughly 250 metres, dying as a result of the fall.

Following his death, the city council chose to honour Cepák's contribution to cycling infrastructure by placing a memorial stone precisely on the path he had worked so hard to bring about. It's a modest but fitting gesture — a spot he himself would likely have chosen, one that reminds cyclists passing by of the value of movement and outdoor activity.

What to know if you visit

The stone sits directly on a cycling route, so the most natural way to reach it is by bike — a comfortable, largely flat path runs along the Vltava river from the centre of České Budějovice. It makes a useful landmark for anyone planning the full ride to Hluboká nad Vltavou, a town best known for its striking neo-Gothic castle.

The memorial itself is not a major tourist attraction in the conventional sense, but for visitors interested in local history and the development of cycling tourism in South Bohemia, it's a worthwhile stop — a small illustration of how one committed individual can shape a city's infrastructure for the better.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Josef Cepák? A physical education teacher at the Bishop's Grammar School in České Budějovice, known as a passionate advocate for cycling and cycling infrastructure.

Why was a memorial stone placed here? It commemorates his role in building the cycling path between České Budějovice and Hluboká nad Vltavou and his long-standing promotion of cycling in the region.

How did Josef Cepák die? He died on 18 August 2010 during a Mont Blanc expedition, falling around 250 metres on a stretch of terrain considered relatively safe.

Where exactly is the stone located? At the start of the cycling path from České Budějovice to Hluboká nad Vltavou, at coordinates 48.9897656, 14.4600744.