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Hartenfels Castle in Torgau

Elbe Cycle Path sporty, Dresden – Dessau

Elbe cycle path sporty

6 Days / 5 Nights
Athletic
Hartenfels Castle in Torgau

The essentials at a glance

Cycle along the Elbe River from Dresden to Dessau through Saxon vineyards and historic towns. Daily distances range from 60-90 km on mostly flat terrain. Highlights include Dresden's baroque architecture, Meissen's porcelain manufacture, Saxon Switzerland's sandstone formations, Luther's Wittenberg, and Dessau's Bauhaus buildings. The route follows car-free paths along Germany's scenic Elbe valley through the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe.

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Superb master builders created a multitude of magnificent buildings for August the Strong along the Elbe. They designed the medieval ambience of the porcelain city of Meissen, built piece by piece the Renaissance city of Torgau or the Luther city of Wittenberg. Your journey begins in Dresden. Buildings such as the Church of Our Lady, the Dresden Zwinger, the Semper Opera House and the Residence Palace reveal the aesthetics of high-class architecture. The tour through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains with its bizarre rock worlds, overhangs and crevices proves that nature does not have to hide as a master builder. Descending the Elbe, you will visit stations such as Radebeul, the home of Karl May, and the wine villages near Meissen. Your journey ends in Dessau or Wittenberg.

Vineyards along the river Elbe
View from fortress to the river Elbe
Bikes in front of castle in Dresden
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Antonia Kreiseder
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This cycling tour starts in Dresden and leads through to Saxon Switzerland. Take the Elbe ferry to Pillnitz Castle and see the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, before returning to Dresden via Bad Schandau. The next day, cycle via Radebeul and Meißen to Riesa. Then the route leads to Torgau, Bad Schmiedeberg, Wittenberg and to the destination of Dessau.

Dresden: The baroque Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden is one of the largest sandstone buildings in the world. Other attractions include the Semperoper Opera House and the museums in the Zwinger palace site.

Radebeaul: Fans of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand should visit the Karl May Museum, which you can find in Villa Shatterhand where the world-famous author last lived.

Meißen: This city is known for its fine porcelain, which is displayed in the local factory. You can also explore with a long walk in the historic city centre.

Dessau: The Bauhaus city with 1920s buildings is a highlight for architectural fans. There you can follow in the footsteps of Walter Gropius, and take a look at the Bauhaus Museum. For cultural delights for the eyes and ears, there is the Anhalt Theater.

This is an easy cycling holiday in well-developed areas that are flat and slightly hilly. The daily stages are 65km – 90km each. It’s particularly straightforward cycling along the car-free Elbe cycle path. The other stages are also uncomplicated, since they lead on quiet roads and lesser-used trails.

Vineyards along the river Elbe
View from fortress to the river Elbe
Bikes in front of castle in Dresden

Itinerary at a glance

Gorgeous architectural wonders meet pure joie de vivre in Dresden, and in Meissen, the old town is as beautiful as the famous porcelain. In Saxony, grapes thrive – be sure to taste the wines as you pass through the vineyards.

Individual arrival to Dresden, distribution of rental bikes (if booked) and welcome briefing in the hotel. Afterwards possibility to stroll through the baroque old city of Dresden. Discover the well-known beauty and magic of the city with places of interest as Zwinger, Frauenkirche, palace and Semper opera.

The bicycle path leads directly along the Elbe to Bad Schandau. By ferry cruise to palace Pillnitz, enjoy the unique view onto the baroque building. You continue by bike upstream to the bizarre sandstone mountains. A short climb onto Bastei Mountain is worth it. A wonderful view onto the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the course of the river reward you for your efforts. Return journey from Bad Schandau to Dresden by bike (approx. 90 km) or suburban train (approx. 45 km).

You cycle in the Elbe valley along the Saxon vineyards and pass the city of Radebeul, which is associated with Karl May. Within a few more kilometres you reach Meißen. The picturesque alleys of the historic old city invite for a stroll. Worth while: Albrechtsburg and the world famous Meissen chine manufacture! Then you go a bit more through Germany’s most northern vineyards. Taste the regional wines! The baroque castle Diesbar-Seußlitz with its wonderful park is a good place for rest. Accommodation is in the town of Riesa or Strehla.

You follow the Elbe river downstream to Mühlberg with former Cistercian monastery and Electoral Saxony’s milepost. You should not miss the Treblitz Tree Park with trees and bushes from five continents. Destination of the day is Torgau with nice town hall in renaissance style, residence palace Hartenfels and church St. Marien. From Saxony-Anhalt you cycle via palace Lichtenberg in direction Bad Schmiedeberg.

After your arrival in the city where Martin Luther posted his theses, you have the possibility to make a trip down memory lane. The Luther Hall, Wittenberg’s most interesting building, has the biggest historic collection on the Reformation. The old city of Wittenberg was restored lovely too. The beautiful shops and restaurants are guaranteeing a wonderful evening.

Individual return journey or additional nights in Dessau.

Other variants of this tour

The Albrechtsburg in Meissen
Elbe Cycle Path, Dresden – Wittenberg
7 Days

Difficulty level

Athletic

Daily routes from 65 to 90 km in flat and slightly hilly terrain. The Elbe cycle path offers the possibility to cycle on car-free roads along one of the most beautiful and most important rivers in Germany. Other sections lead along small country roads and paths with less traffic through diversified river landscape.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Our Rental Bikes

The different types of rental bikes at a glance

Unisex Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Unisex bike

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Men's Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Men's bike

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Renatl bike PLUS - Symbol photo
Rental Bike PLUS

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with men's or unisex frame

Available gear and frame options can be found in the price table

 

E-Bike rental bike - Symbol photo
Unisex Electro bike

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in category A in hotels and guesthouses, mainly at 3***- and 4****- level and in category B in hotels, inns and guesthouses, mainly at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing
  • Luggage transfer
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service-hotline

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return journey by minibus to Dresden every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Wittenberg EUR 90 per person, from Dessau EUR 105 per person, extra EUR 45 for your own bike, reservation is necessary, to be paid in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Dresden train Station
  • Dresden airport
  • Category A: Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 24 per day
  • Category B: Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 16 per day, Hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 13 per day free public parking
  • Good train connections from Dessau to Dresden

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Special dates on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in category A in hotels and guesthouses, mainly at 3***- and 4****- level and in category B in hotels, inns and guesthouses, mainly at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Welcome briefing
  • Luggage transfer
  • Digital travel documents incl. navigation app, GPS-data, route book
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Printed route book, per room EUR 20
  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance
  • Return journey by minibus to Dresden every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dessau EUR 109 per person, extra EUR 50 for your own bike, reservation is necessary, to be paid in advance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Dresden train Station
  • Dresden airport
  • Category A: Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 24 per day
  • Category B: Hotel parking garage, costs approx. EUR 16 per day, Hotel parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 13 per day free public parking
  • Good train connections from Dessau to Dresden

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Special dates on request
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Antonia Kreiseder

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Antonia Kreiseder
Travel Specialist
One call to vacation bliss
+43 6219 60866 140
Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM
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