The Elbe Cycle Route – riverside enjoyment

Two cyclists ride along the river, with a tree-covered hill in the background.

Few inclines and frequent views of the river characterise the Elbe Cycle Route on the section between Dessau and the Czech border. Following the gently flowing Elbe, the route passes through extensive floodplain forests and green meadows, alongside steep vineyards, impressive sandstone cliffs, charming small towns and world-famous sights. The route is paved and largely traffic-free, making it ideal for leisure cyclists, families and anyone wishing to travel at a relaxed pace. Along the way, numerous places to eat and historic sites provide tempting opportunities for a detour.

Discover the Elbe Cycle Route

…between Dessau and Saxon Switzerland. These are our top highlights.

Cyclists ride past the modern, rounded architecture of the Kornhaus Dessau on the banks of the River Elbe.

The Bauhaus city has two distinct sides: on the one hand, visitors can explore one of the most fascinating periods of art and culture of the past decade at its place of origin; on the other, they can cycle through a remarkably green city with numerous parks and well-developed cycle paths. The Elbe Cycle Route passes the city centre's principal sights, while the alternative route runs directly alongside the river.

A boy sits on a column on the Sieglitzer Berg, looking out over a meadow, with a bicycle beside him.

Beautiful parks modelled on English landscape gardens define the character of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has made the small town of Wörlitz world-famous and invites visitors to enjoy a relaxing break on foot, by bicycle or on the water. A true highlight along the Elbe Cycle Route, which runs directly through it.

Wittenberg's historic Old Market Square with red roofs, towers and cobblestones.

There is no escaping him here: Martin Luther is omnipresent in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. He lived, worked and preached in this city on the Elbe – and nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church. Cycling between the church and the Luther House, just one kilometre away, brings you face to face with world history. An essential stop on the Elbe Cycle Route.

Two cyclists ride their bicycles in Torgau, with the historic Hartenfels Castle in the background.

Torgau is a truly underrated gem of a town on the Elbe Cycle Route in northern Saxony. Once the seat of the Saxon electors, the town boasts one of the most beautiful historic centres along the Elbe cycling journey. The absolute highlight is Hartenfels Castle, with its Wendelstein staircase and Hausmann Tower.

Two cyclists ride along the river, with Meissen, Albrechtsburg Castle and wooded hills in the background.

Visible from afar, the castle hill, crowned by Albrechtsburg Castle and the cathedral, towers above the landscape, revealing cyclists’ next destination. Meissen is the cradle of Saxony and brings together two worlds of indulgence: Saxon wine and the world-famous Meissen porcelain. Both are well worth discovering.

Cyclists on the tree-lined Elbe Cycle Route, with Dresden's historic Old Town in the background

Dresden – in this city on the Elbe, you can cycle comfortably through the city along the river while taking in nearly all of its highlights. The Old Town, with the Zwinger and Frauenkirche, the New Town, with its Baroque quarter and vibrant cultural district, the Elbe castles, the Blue Wonder and Pillnitz: all of these can be explored directly by bicycle. Tip: stopping for a break at at least one of the beer gardens along the route is a must.

Two cyclists on the Elbe Cycle Route in Saxon Switzerland, with the wooded slopes of the Elbe Valley and the rock formations of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the background.

The finishing stretch of the German section of the Elbe Cycle Route: Saxon Switzerland is truly the highlight of the southern section. Here, the Elbe Cycle Route runs close to the river, while rocky scenery unfolds on both sides. Numerous ferries offer an opportunity to experience the landscape from a different perspective. Those who have not yet had enough can simply continue cycling towards the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic.

Cover image of the Elbe Cycle Route brochure 2026

Official Elbe Cycle Route guide

available to order online as a free brochure

The free Elbe Cycle Route handbook contains maps, tips and a list of all cycle-friendly hosts along the Elbe from the Giant Mountains to the North Sea. The A5-sized booklet fits into any handlebar bag and helps cyclists find their way, whether they are embarking on a multi-day cycling tour along the Elbe or taking a short trip or day excursion.

All cycle-friendly hosts meet the criteria for cycle-friendly accommodation, catering establishments or campsites. The criteria are based on the ADFC's "bett+bike" certification and ensure, for example, that bicycles are kept under cover and securely locked away overnight and that guests are accepted for stays of just one night.

Order the Elbe Cycle Route guide

Route profile

Approximately 80 per cent of the well-developed Elbe Cycle Route, marked with a blue ‘e’, runs along a dedicated path. The surface is mostly asphalt or compacted aggregate and is very easy to cycle on. Short sections are paved. From time to time, the cycle route switches from one side of the river to the other. Where there is no bridge, ferries provide a crossing.

In Saxon Switzerland, the Elbe Cycle Route runs along both sides of the Elbe – with one exception: there is no path on the right bank between the spa town of Rathen and Königstein. Cyclists can cross by ferry in either town at the latest and, in between, enjoy views of the Lilienstein from the left bank of the Elbe.

Up-to-date information on diversions is available on the Elbe Cycle Route website.

Elbe Cycle Route website

green cover image of the fold-out Elbe Cycle Route map, Magdeburg–Cuxhaven section, against a blurred background

In our shop:

Elbe Cycle Path - Magdeburg to Cuxhaven

Cycling map with zig-zag fold Elbe Cycle Path - Magdeburg to Cuxhaven
along the Elbe via Tangermünde, Havelberg, Wittenberge, Geesthacht and Hamburg to Cuxhaven and Brunsbüttel
with distance information, city map of Hamburg and accompanying booklet with text-image part
Scale: 1 : 50 000

Order here in the shop

Elbe Cycle Path - Bad Schandau to Magdeburg

Cycling map with zig-zag fold Elbe Cycle Path - Bad Schandau to Magdeburg
along the Elbe through the Central German cultural landscape
with distance information, city maps and accompanying booklet with text-image part
Scale: 1 : 50 000

Order here in the shop

green cover image of the Elbe Cycle Route map for the section from Bad Schandau to Magdeburg against a blurred background

Cover of the Sachsenkartografie Elbe Cycle Route brochure from Riesa to Ústí nad Labem against a blurred background

Elbe Cycle Path between Riesa and Ústí nad Labem

Covers the area of the Elbe and the Saxon Wine Route between Riesa and Ústí nad Labem.
Includes the Elbe Cycle Path with connecting cycle paths and their signposting, as well as the course of the Saxon Wine Route with the Saxon Wine Trail.
Detailed maps of Meißen, Radebeul, Dresden, Pillnitz, Pirna, Decín, and Ústí nad Labem make orientation in urban areas easier.
By presenting natural history, geological, and historical information among others, the map user is made aware of the large and small sights to the right and left of the path.

Order here in the shop

Suitable accommodation & packages

Book in advance now!

Tip

Tours along the Elbe Cycle Route

The Elbe Cycle Route is very well signposted and, throughout much of Saxon Switzerland, can be cycled on both sides of the river. One exception is the section between Königstein-Halbestadt and the spa resort of Rathen, where cyclists must remain on the left bank of the Elbe (when travelling downstream). Several suggested tours are provided here for guidance.