The Elbe Cycle Path

From Dessau and Dresden to Bad Schandau in 8 days / 7 nights from 469,- €
The Elbe Cycle Path
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This route represents the heart of the Elbe cycle path. From the almost untouched Elbe meadows to the impressive Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the countryside here is beautiful. Add to this the familiar towns such as Dessau, Wittenberg, Meißen or Dresden for a cultural contrast! One speciality is the many so-called reaction ferries. Attached to a rope, they have no motor but make use of the river’s current. You can cross to the other side as often as you wish. On this route you cycle through Germany’s northern-most vineyards and shouldn’t miss the opportunity to taste the local wines. The Elbe cycle path is very well suited for people who are not used to cycling.

You can book this tour in both directions as there are two versions:

Category B: Overnight stay in family run guesthouses and hotels belonging to the national 2*/3* categories.
Category A: Overnight accommodation in selected hotels in the national 3*/4* categories.

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Day 1
Dessau

Arrival in Dessau

Your tour starts in the old capital town of the Duchy of Anhalt, which is particularly known worldwide for its artists and architects from the Bauhaus era. We recommend visiting the 100 acres of Wörlitz parkland, which are not so far away. You cannot cycle through the parks, which is why this visit is a good idea on your arrival day. Reserved rental bicycles are parked at the hotel ready for you.
Overnight stay in Dessau

If you start your tour in Bad Schandau, the route should be read in reverse order.

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Day 2
Wittenberg

Dessau - Lutherstadt Wittenberg, approx. 35 km

You cycle in a leisurely manner along the River Elbe and past its many lakes. This “Middle Elbe” area is a biosphere reserve. Coswig and its far-reaching castle grounds are on your route before you reach Wittenberg. Wittenberg was one of the most important centres for Martin Luther. He nailed his 95 theses to the door of All Saints’ Church, marking the begin of the Reformation.
Overnight stay in Wittenberg

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Day 3
Torgau

Lutherstadt Wittenberg - Torgau, approx. 75 km

Today you cycle along level paths along the banks of the river to arrive in Prettin, Free State Saxony. Castle Lichtenburg is not only home to a museum for local and territorial history, but is also a monument to the local concentration camp. Today’s destination is the town of Torgau, known as one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns in Germany and where the American and Soviet Forces met during the Second World War.
Overnight stay in Torgau

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Day 4
Elbe river near Strehla

Torgau - Strehla/Riesa, approx. 45 km

You continue upstream towards Bohemia. Place names, such as Döbeltitz or Mehderitzsch indicate the popularity of the letter “z” in Saxony. In Mühlberg, you cross the tip of the state of Brandenburg. In Belgern, the town hall and the stone statue of Roland the Knight are waiting to be visited.
Overnight stay in Strehla/Riesa

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Day 5
Meissen

Strehla/Riesa - Meissen, approx. 35 km

You have hardly left the Elbe meadows behind you when you start to approach gentle hills, known for their vineyards. As these local wines cannot be bought anywhere else, make sure you sample or purchase some of the Riesling and Goldriesling wines. At your destination in Meissen, we can recommend a visit to the porcelain manufacturer and Albrechtsburg castle. There is enough time in the schedule for a relaxed trip.
Overnight stay in Meissen

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Day 6
Dresden

Meissen - Dresden, approx. 30 km

Today’s section is short as there is a lot to see. You take the most direct route via Radebeul and its Karl-May museum and will have many opportunities to sample the local wines. It is worth taking a small detour to Castle Moritzburg and, if you feel like it, a trip by steam train to Radeburg. At the end of the section, the charmingly renovated metropolis of Dresden is waiting to be discovered.
Overnight stay in Dresden

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Day 7
Rathen

Dresden - Bad Schandau, approx. 45 km

The hills get higher, turning into mountains and you reach the spectacular drop of the Elbe through the Sandstone Mountains. Erosion of the red Bunter sandstone has caused the formation of fantastic shapes. Many of these shapes have been further crafted by human hand, as you can see at Königstein Fort and its famous bastion. Your destination is the spa town of Bad Schandau, close to the former Austrian-Bohemian border, which today forms the border to the Czech Republic.
Overnight stay in Bad Schandau

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Day 8
Bastei

Individual departure or extended stay

Your cycling holiday along the Elbe cycle path unfortunately comes to an end after breakfast. If you like, we can happily extend your stay.

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Brief facts about the Elbe cycle path
  • Start/Destination
    Dessau / Bad Schandau
  • Duration
    8 days, 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 260 km
  • Daily routes
    between 30 and 70 kilometres by bike
  • Profile of the Route
    The route is mostly flat, usually on special cycle paths. Very occasionally on roads with heavier traffic.
  • Return journey to Dessau or Bad Schandau
    Optionally by minivan every Saturday incl. bike; departure in Bad Schandau approx. 8.00, departure in Dessau approx. 14.00, duration of journey approx. 4-5 hours. Please reserve when booking.
    Minimum participants for bus transfer: 2 people.
    Alternatively independent travel by train; connections every hour, including 2 changes. Duration approx. 4 hours. Normal price is about € 40/person excl. bike.
Route | Services and prices | Booking form, Cat. B | Booking form, Cat. A