The Mittelland Route, also called the D4 route, runs across Germany - from Aachen to Zittau - thus connecting the western and eastern borders of the country. Part of it also runs through the Saxon Switzerland.
Along country roads, but also old railway embankments and some unpaved paths, we cycle once along the northern edge of Saxon Switzerland.
A convenient starting point is at the Heidenau - Birkwitz ferry, near the Heidenau or Heidenau Süd S-Bahn stops. First, we cycle to Graupa and pass the Richard Wagner sites. Via Bonnewitz we reach Liebthal, where the route above the Wesenitz, parallel to the Malerweg which runs here in the Liebthaler Grund, leads us to Mühlsdorf. There is a small resting place and a quaint library by the roadside here. Via Porschendorf we reach Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach and take a short ice cream break at the station.
Next destination: the basalt town Stolpen, visible from afar. Those who wish can take a detour into town, visit the castle or drink a motivational beverage of their choice. Shortly after Stolpen, we enter the Polenz valley, where we turn off and follow the Polenz river to Neustadt. From here you can either return by train to Pirna or continue towards Zittau.
