Elbe Cycle Route: From Pirna to Děčín

From Pirna station, it goes down to the Elbe Cycle Route. We now follow this to Děčín. The signage is simple - either the blue "e" or the green-white intermediate signs with the Saxony coat of arms show us the way. On the opposite bank of the Elbe, the rock world of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains begins. Shortly after Obervogelgesang, we cross the railway embankment. Please be sure to pay attention to the on-site instructions and oncoming traffic at this point!

In Stadt Wehlen, a short stop in the adventure pool is recommended in summer to cool down. Then it continues towards the spa town Rathen. A few small elevations let us gain altitude meters and then roll rapidly into the spa town Rathen. The view goes to the left up to the Bastei Bridge, which towers here over the Elbe on the rock massif. 

It continues to Königstein. The fortress of the same name comes into view after a bend in the river, on the other bank the Lilienstein rises. From Königstein, it always goes along the water to Bad Schandau. We cycle over Krippen further towards Schöna and enjoy the panoramic views of the Schrammstein walls. Those who wish can make a detour to the other bank of the Elbe to Schmilka. From the ferry in Schmilka, two things change: The Elbe canyon becomes even narrower than before, and the Czech Republic already begins on the other bank, while we still have a few kilometers on the German side ahead of us. 

Have you already enjoyed rock views? Then the last stretch to Děčín is the cherry on top. The Elbe winds through the mountains, and with each bend, a new rock massif appears that you can hardly get enough of. In Schöna, we cross the German-Czech border. A border stone marks the point of the country change. The Elbe Cycle Route is now called Labská stezka and the signage changes from white-green to yellow-black. In the Czech Republic, the Elbe Cycle Route is signed with the number 2. Via Dolní Žleb, where there is an e-bike charging station at the beer garden by the way, it goes through the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the final sprint to Děčín. There, the castle towers above the city, and opposite on the Schäferswand, climbers test themselves on the rock.

Our route ends at the station in Děčín.

The Elbe Cycle Route runs on both sides of the river up to Schmilka with one exception: Between the spa town Rathen and Königstein-Halbestadt, we switch to the southern side of the Elbe. In the Czech Republic, the Elbe Cycle Route runs only on the left bank on the way to Děčín. In general, the bank can be regularly changed with the help of many ferries.

• The Elbe Cycle Route is partially also used by local residents with cars.
• In the evenings or on weekends, groups of road cyclists are often on the way.
• In the spa town Rathen, a railroad crossing is crossed twice.
• Please watch out for each other before bends with poor visibility.