This route requires some fitness. There are various ascents to master. The landscape is very scenic.
Our suggestion starts in Stadt Wehlen at the ferry. Of course, the start is also possible in other places, such as Hohnstein or Kurort Rathen.
From the market, the route goes up a few meters along the main street and then reaches the right into the Wehlener Grund. The area belongs to the Saxon Switzerland National Park. About 50 kilometers of cycling routes are signposted there. The section in the Grund is one of the impressive parts. Below cliffs, the path winds its way up to Basteistraße. The view down to the Elbe remains unforgettable; the detour to the Bastei viewpoint is therefore almost mandatory.
The bike path to Rathewalde, Hohburkersdorf, Heeselicht, and further to Hohnstein is well developed and marked with a yellow dot. The switchbacks up to Hohnstein are challenging; a rest at the castle or outdoor pool is therefore recommended. At the outdoor pool, the route turns left onto Sebnitzer Straße and later right onto Lohsdorfer Weg. From Lohsdorf, the route leads through Großdorf to Kohlmühle. The path continues on the Panorama street to Altendorf, Mittelndorf, and Lichtenhain. There, a small circular route over Saupsdorf, Hinterhermsdorf, through the Kirnitzschtal to the Lichtenhain Waterfall returns to Lichtenhain.
Back at the starting point in Lichtenhain, the route follows the familiar way to Kohlmühle. Along the Sebnitzbach, the path leads to the Polenztal. Follow the Polenztal to the height of Waltersdorfermühle. There, the route turns left to S163, which is followed a short distance to the left before turning right onto Rathener Straße. From there, you roll down comfortably to Kurort Rathen and follow the Elbe back to Stadt Wehlen.
