Rockhead Gravel Bike Tour Compact

All applicable guest taxes are NOT included in the travel price and must be paid on site.

Please refer to the Information sheet for travelers on package tours according to § 651a of the German Civil Code

• For organizational reasons, this bike tour can only be booked up to 10 days before the arrival date.
• The complete overview of the booked accommodations is noted on the travel confirmation/invoice and will be sent to the guest by the tour operator by mail along with the documents after the booking.
• Communication during the trip is possible in the following languages: German
• The journey is unsuitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• Please also consider the notes in the general terms and conditions of the tour operator CORSO ...die reiseagentur
• The Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association is only an agent for this trip.

• Day 1: Individual Arrival in Pirna
  Due to excellent transport connections, traveling to Pirna by train or car is easily feasible. Discounted parking spaces are available in the parking garage for the entire duration of the trip.
  Stroll through the picturesque historic old town with its elaborately decorated townhouses and discover unique details such as the Devil's and Angel's oriels. In addition, the Canaletto House is located at the market, named after the creation of the painting "The Marketplace in Pirna." The Saxon court painter Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, immortalized Pirna as the only small town in his works.  Overnight stay in Pirna
• Day 2: Pirna - Bad Schandau (approx. 45 km | 680 meters elevation gain)
  Warm-up with a rock view: Pirna is the ideal starting point to begin the gravel bike tour on the Rockhead. Initially, you follow a few kilometers on the Elbe Cycle Route to Obervogelgesang to reach the starting point of the Rockhead gravel bike tour.
  With noticeable inclines, the route leads to Krietzschwitz and Leupoldishain. A detour to the Nikolsdorfer Walls offers an initial impression of the impressive rock formations in Saxon Switzerland. At the Forest Experience Center Leupoldishain, not only are interesting nature experiences available but also a panoramic view of the Königstein Fortress and the Lilienstein. The route continues on moderate gravel paths through the forest to Rosenthal, passing initial rock formations, through Cunnersdorf and into the Krippenbachtal to Krippen. The last section briefly returns to the Elbe Cycle Route and takes you calmly to Bad Schandau. Overnight stay in Bad Schandau
• Day 3: Bad Schandau - Sohland an der Spree (approx. 60 km | 1,030 meters elevation gain)
  Wild Saxony: The Green Stage offers you a wonderful cycling stage through the quiet and untouched nature of the Saxon Switzerland National Park region, where the landscape continues to be characterized by impressive rock formations.
  The stage starts in Bad Schandau, where you ride on narrow paths through the idyllic Schwarzbachtal. The route continues along the narrow "Sebnitz" river to the town of Sebnitz. A special highlight is the observation tower on the Ungerberg near Neustadt. From here, you have a great panoramic view of the gentle hills and impressive table mountains. The route takes you from the Saxon Switzerland region through Rugiswalde and Steinigtwolmsdorf into the Upper Lusatian Highlands to Sohland an der Spree. Overnight stay in Sohland
• Day 4: Sohland an der Spree - Großschönau (approx. 52 km | 740 meters elevation gain)
  Gravel, Asphalt & Village Idyl: The Red Stage continues through a diverse landscape characterized by gravel paths, asphalt roads, and the charm of small villages.
  Gentle ups and downs alternate here, ensuring the route is never dull but continually offers new perspectives and views. At the beginning, you immerse yourself in the forests of Upper Lusatia, where coarse gravel paths wind through the tranquil nature. As the journey progresses, you discover picturesque villages that seem to be from another time. The traditional half-timbered houses, typical of this region, give the route a very special charm. Along the way, you pass places like Beiersdorf and Kottmarsdorf, with the distinctive post mill inviting photography and wonder. Watch out for the Spree springs you pass – a fascinating moment when you think about how this marks the origin of a river that later reaches the capital Berlin much broader. Your stage destination is the textile village of Großschönau, known for its long history of textile production. A special highlight is the German Damask and Terry Museum in Großschönau. Overnight stay in Großschönau
• Day 5: Großschönau - Zittau (approx. 32 km | 610 meters elevation gain)
  The Border Crossing: The Black Stage, with its challenging sections, is the greatest challenge of the Rockhead. The route begins in Großschönau and steadily ascends through Waltersdorf to the spa town of Jonsdorf.
  From here, it becomes more demanding, especially in the border area with the Czech Republic and Poland. The climb to Johannisstein navigates narrow trails and grass paths. It continues with a steep, paved route up to the Hochwald (749 m), the highest point of the Zittau Mountains, offering stunning views up to Zittau and into the Isar Mountains in good weather. After this highlight, the route descends through the spectacular rock landscape of the Zittau Mountains to Zittau. In this former cloth-making and merchant town at the tri-corner area, a visit to the Cultural and Historical Museum in the Franciscan Monastery and the "Church of the Holy Cross" Museum, where the famous Great Zittau Lenten Veil of 1472 is displayed in the world's largest museum showcase—a fascinating testament to biblical storytelling—is worthwhile. Overnight stay in Zittau
• Day 6: Zittau - Löbau (approx. 39 km | 520 meters elevation gain)
  Pure Gravel Biking: On the fifth stage, you can expect a mix of dense forests, open landscapes, bumpy tracks, and fast asphalt sections – a true experience for gravel fans.
  From Zittau, the route takes you over trails and meadow paths to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Herrnhut. It is known for its historical significance as the center of the Moravian Church and the world-famous "Herrnhut Stars," which are found in many homes, especially during Christmas time. After about 15 km, the climb to Löbauer Berg challenges your strength once again, but the view from the 35-meter-high Iron Tower of Löbau compensates for the effort. The final meters to Löbau then take you on a steep descent to the stage destination. Overnight stay in Löbau
• Day 7: Löbau - Stolpen (approx. 66 km | 1,060 meters elevation gain)
  Race Track & Climbing Mountain: The Blue Stage starts with a relaxed section on the Oberlausitz Railway Cycle Path, where you can enjoyably ride through the landscape of Upper Lusatia without significant ups and downs and without car traffic.
  Then it goes up the "Czorneboh" mountain (556 m), offering magnificent panoramic views. The descent takes you steeply down to Cunewalde, known for having the largest village church in Germany. The final kilometers offer a varied hilly landscape until you reach the stage destination, the mountain town of Stolpen, with its impressive castle complex, a truly crowning conclusion. Overnight stay in Stolpen
• Day 8: Stolpen - Stadt Wehlen - Pirna (approx. 50 km | 250 meters elevation gain)
  From Basalt to the Elbe Valley: The final stage on the Rockhead begins with a rapid descent from Stolpen to the banks of the Wesenitz. The ride through the idyllic Wesenitz Valley is one of the landscape highlights of the Rockhead gravel bike route.
  Shortly before Dorf Wehlen, the final, moderate ascent awaits, before descending swiftly into the Elbe Valley to the town of Stadt Wehlen. Here you can visit the cyclist's church at the marketplace and the Wehlen Castle ruins with a fantastic view over the town and the Elbe. You then comfortably roll along the Elbe Cycle Route back to Pirna, the starting point of your gravel adventure. Overnight stay in Pirna
• Day 9: Individual Departure from Pirna