The Elbe Cycle Path - Enjoyment by the River

Zwei Radfahrer fahren am Fluss entlang, im Hintergrund ein Hügel mit Bäumen. — © Felix Meyer

With few inclines and the river often in view, this is how the Elbe Cycle Path can be characterized in the section between Dessau and the Czech border. Along the gently flowing Elbe, you cycle through vast floodplain forests, green meadows, past steep vineyards, impressive sandstone rocks, charming small towns, and world-famous sights. The route is paved, mostly car-free, and thus ideal for leisure cyclists, families, and anyone who wants to travel in a relaxed manner. Along the way, many places to stop and historical sites invite you to take a detour.

Discover the Elbe Cycle Path

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

Radfahrer fahren an moderner runden Architektur des Kornhaus Dessau am Flussufer der Elbe vorbei. — © Felix Meyer

The Bauhaus city shows itself from two sides: On one hand, you can discover one of the most exciting art and cultural periods of the last decade at its place of origin; on the other hand, you cycle through a surprisingly green city with many parks and well-developed bike paths. The Elbe Cycle Path leads along the main sights of the inner city, the alternative route directly along the water.

Junge sitzt auf einer Säule auf dem Sieglitzer Berg, blickt auf eine Wiese, neben ihm steht ein Fahrrad. — © Felix Meyer

Beautiful parklands modeled on English examples shape the face of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom. This UNESCO World Heritage site makes the small town of Wörlitz world-famous and attracts visitors with a relaxed break on foot, by bike, or on the water. A true highlight on the Elbe Cycle Path, which leads directly through it.

Historischer Altmarkt von Wittenberg mit roten Dächern und Türmen und Kopfsteinpflaster. — © Felix Meyer

There's no way around him: Martin Luther is omnipresent in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. In this Elbe town, he lived, worked, and preached - and nailed his famous 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church. Cycling between this church and the Luther House, which is only one kilometer away, you breathe in true world history. A must-stop on the Elbe Cycle Route.

Zwei Radfahrer fahren mit Fahrrädern in Torgau mit dem historischen Gebäude des Schloss Hartenfels im Hintergrund. — © Felix Meyer

Torgau is a truly underrated city beauty on the Elbe Cycle Route in northern Saxony. The former residence of Saxon electors boasts one of the most beautiful old towns along the Elbe cycle tour. Absolute highlight: Hartenfels Castle with the Wendelstein and Hausmann Tower.

Zwei Radfahrer fahren am Fluss entlang, im Hintergrund Meißen mit der Albrechtsburg Burg und bewaldete Hügel. — © Felix Meyer

From afar, the castle hill with Albrechtsburg Castle and the cathedral towers over the landscape, showing cyclists their next destination. Meissen is the cradle of Saxony and combines two worlds of enjoyment: Saxon wine and world-famous Meissen porcelain. Both are definitely worth discovering.

Radfahrer auf dem von einer Baumallee gesäumten Elberadweg, im Hintergrund die historische Altstadt von Dresden — © Felix Meyer

Dresden - in the Elbe metropolis, you can comfortably cycle along the Elbe through the city and take in almost all the highlights directly. The Old Town with Zwinger and Frauenkirche, the New Town with Baroque and trendy districts, Elbe castles, Blue Wonder, Pillnitz: All this can be discovered directly from the bike. Tip: A break at least one of the beer gardens along the route is a must.

Zwei Radfahrer auf dem Elberadweg in der Sächsischen Schweiz, im Hintergrund die bewaldeten Elb-Hänge und Felsformationen des Elbsandsteingebirges. — © Felix Meyer

Finish line on the German part of the Elbe Cycle Path: The Saxon Switzerland is truly the highlight of the southern section. Here, the Elbe cycle path runs close to the river, while the view sweeps over the rocky landscape to the right and left. Numerous ferries invite you to change your perspective. And if you haven't had enough yet, simply continue cycling towards the source of the Elbe in the Czech Republic.

Titelbild der Elberadweg-Broschüre 2026 — © Koordinierungsstellen Elberadweg

Official Elbe Cycle Path Handbook

available to order online as a free brochure

In the free Elbe Cycle Route Guidebook you will find maps, tips, and a list of all bike-friendly hosts along the Elbe from the Giant Mountains to the North Sea. The DIN A5 sized booklet fits in every handlebar bag and supports Elberadweg cyclists both on multi-day bike tours along the Elbe as well as on short trips or day excursions for orientation.

All bike-friendly hosts meet the criteria for bike-friendly accommodation, gastronomy businesses, or camping sites. The criteria are based on the "bett+bike" certification of the ADFC and ensure, for example, that bicycles can be parked overnight under cover and locked securely and guests can be accommodated even for just one night.

Order Elbe Cycle Path Handbook

Route Profile

About 80 percent of the well-developed Elbe Cycle Route, marked with the blue "e," runs on a separate path. The surface is mostly paved or has a mineral coating and is very easy to ride on. Short sections are cobblestoned. Occasionally, the cycle path changes riverbanks. And where there is no bridge, ferries cross.

In Saxon Switzerland, the Elbe Cycle Route runs on both sides of the Elbe - with one exception: on the right bank between Kurort Rathen and Königstein, there is no path. Here, at the latest in these two places, you can change sides by ferry and enjoy the view of Lilienstein from the left bank of the Elbe.

Current information on detours can be found on the Elbe Cycle Route website.

Elbe Cycle Path Website

grünes Titelbild der Elberadeweg-Faltkarte Streckenabschnitt Magdeburg-Cuxhaven vor verschwommenen Hintergrund — © Verlag Barthel

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

grünes Titelbild der Elberadweg-Radwanderkarte des Streckenabschnitt Bad Schandau bis Magdeburg vor verschwommenen Hintergrund — © Verlag Barthel

Titelbild des Elberadweg-Broschüre von Sachsenkartografie Riesa bis Usti nad Labem vor verschwommenem Hintergrund — © Sachsenkartografie

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 accommodations & arrangements

Book in advance now!

Tip

Tours on the Elbe Cycle Path

The Elbe Cycle Path is very well signposted and in large parts of Saxon Switzerland can be cycled on both sides. An exception is the section between Königstein-Halbestadt and Kurort Rathen, where you are only allowed to travel on the left side of the Elbe (downstream). For orientation, you will find some tour suggestions here.