RockHead
Craft your Gravel Story
In Saxon Switzerland and Upper Lusatia, a new gravel bike dimension unfolds with the Rockhead, a 320 km round tour that combines freedom, adventure, and nature experience.
320 km
Gravel loop between Stadt Wehlen, Königstein & Zittau
4690 m
athletic challenge from the Elbe to the Hochwaldbaude
7 stages of gravel biking in Saxon Switzerland & Upper Lusatia
The route leads through the impressive landscapes of the two regions in the east of Saxony, passing bizarre rock formations, deep forests, and picturesque villages.
The Rockhead is a challenge for all gravel bikers who want to experience nature up close. With over 4,600 meters of altitude, the route offers diverse trails ranging from steep climbs over vast panoramas to rapid descents. Whether in multiple stages or in one go, the RockHead promises unforgettable moments and the opportunity to test your limits.
Don't miss
Our gravel bike tips for the tour
The RockHead traverses four of seven stages through the Saxon Switzerland. These are our highlights for a stopover between Stolpen, Wehlen, Bad Schandau, Sebnitz, and Neustadt i.Sa.
Countess Cosel sends her regards
Castle Stolpen, majestically perched on a basalt rock, is a historical jewel in the Saxon Switzerland and a proper ascent on the RockHead. Known as the decades-long prison site of Countess Cosel, lover of Augustus the Strong, the castle tells tales of turbulent times and royal intrigues. From the castle towers, a 360-degree view opens up over Saxon Switzerland. The impressive complex and its fascinating history make Castle Stolpen an essential destination for culture and castle enthusiasts. Castle Stolpen is located on the blue and purple stage.
Elbe village with charm
The town of Wehlen, idyllically situated on the Elbe, is an ideal starting point for cyclists in the Saxon Switzerland. The town offers direct access to the Elbe Cycle Route and is the start and end point of the RockHeads. The town center with its alleys and the market square with the cyclists' church invites you to relaxed breaks. Thanks to good connections to public transport, Wehlen can be easily integrated into larger bike tours. For a rest day, a side trip to the Bastei via the Painter's Path is also worthwhile. Wehlen is the starting point of the yellow stage and the end point of the purple stage.
Highlight - Side Trip
The Königstein Fortress is one of the highlights in Saxon Switzerland. The fortification on the table mountain towers over the Elbe and offers a stunning 360° panoramic view. Not only is a tour worthwhile, but also a visit to the exhibitions, the well house, and the casemates. The Königstein Fortress can be accessed via a detour from the yellow stage.
Experience, understand, preserve nature
The Saxon Switzerland National Park Center in Bad Schandau is the ideal starting point to learn more about the flora and fauna of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Here, the fascinating nature of the park is brought to life in an illustrative manner. Interactive exhibitions and informative films convey knowledge about the rock world, animals and plants, as well as the region's geology. Visitors can embark on exciting discovery journeys and learn how nature is protected. The National Park Center is located on the yellow and green stage.
Sporty relaxation
The SoliVital in Sebnitz is a sports and leisure center. It offers a wide range of activities for the whole family—from a modern climbing hall to the herbal vitality bath, fitness, and wellness offerings. The highlight will be the brand-new cross-border bike project "BorderLess Trails," opening in summer 2026, thrilling adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts alike. RockHead riders will also find a culinary rest stop here: in the in-house restaurant Flowers. The SoliVital is located on the green stage.
Silken Flower Dreams
For more than 180 years, the Deutsche Kunstblume Sebnitz has maintained the art of silk flower manufacturing and is thus one of the few workshops worldwide that still practices this traditional craft. In the museum and demonstration workshop, visitors can experience firsthand how the delicate blossoms are made and can also try their hand at it. These artistic flowers are strikingly realistic and a popular souvenir. The demonstration workshop is located on the green stage.
Ascent with Panorama
The Ungerberg near Neustadt in Saxony is a hidden gem in Saxon Switzerland and a great ascent, rewarded with an impressive panoramic view from the Ungerturm. This is a historic observation tower on the summit of the 537-meter high mountain, offering views over the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Upper Lusatian highlands, and in good weather, as far as the Zittau Mountains. At the foot of the tower, the inn of the same name invites you to take a break. With regional specialties and a relaxed atmosphere, it is an ideal place to reflect on the impressions of the surroundings after a bike tour. The Ungerberg is located on the green stage.
The RockHead in Upper Lusatia
In five stages, the RockHead leads through Upper Lusatia, a region that impressively combines nature, culture, and history. Gravel bikers will not only find challenging terrain here but also an impressive cultural diversity.
Zittau, as the largest town along the RockHead in Upper Lusatia, is the perfect starting point for tours in the Zittau Mountains. Germany's smallest low mountain range, with its steep climbs and striking rock formations, challenges even experienced bikers. Even Caspar David Friedrich captured places like the Oybin castle and monastery ruins in his works. Peaks such as the Hochwald and Johannisstein offer panoramic views at the border triangle of Germany - Poland - Czech Republic, which more than reward the efforts of climbs with gradients of up to 18%.
Along the route, you will find the traditional half-timbered houses in villages like Großschönau, Cunewalde, or Sohland an der Spree. These typical regional constructions have been and still are used for living, weaving, working, and sometimes housing animals. Herrnhut is also noteworthy, with its Moravian Church settlement awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024. Herrnhut is also the origin of the globally renowned Herrnhut Stars, which can be found not only during the Christmas season.
Route profile
The route profile of the Rockhead is as versatile as the landscapes of the Saxon Switzerland and Upper Lusatia themselves. From river valleys to steep climbs and rapid descents, the profile offers everything to make the hearts of gravel bike enthusiasts beat faster.
The route covers various terrains, including gravel, forest, and natural paths, which make up about 47% of the trail, as well as asphalt and little-traveled roads. Quiet sections along small rivers alternate with challenging passages through dense forests and over rocky trails. Especially the climbs to the peaks of the route, such as Johannisstein, Hochwald, or Czorneboh, demand full commitment but reward with spectacular views.
WARNING: The RockHead is not signposted. Gravel bikers can use the GPX data of the route and individual stages to explore the trail with the help of GPS devices or smartphones.
RockHead starter package
The RockHead starter packages are perfect for preparing for the gravel adventure between Stadt Wehlen and Zittau. With extensive map material, souvenirs, and some helpful items for the road, gravel bikers are well-equipped to embark on their tour.
By the way: For each starter package, we donate €2.50 to reforestation projects of the Foundation Forest for Saxony.
Gravel biking on the RockHead
in Saxon Switzerland
The RockHead leads through Saxon Switzerland on four of seven stages. Sebnitz, Stolpen, Stadt Wehlen, Struppen, the left bank Elbe region around Königstein with Rosenthal and Bad Schandau are among the places you pass by. However, most of the time it goes up and down through forests and meadows.
