© F. Meyer/Elberadweg

Cycling in Saxon Switzerland

Cycle tours are an ideal way to extensively explore Saxon Switzerland

Guests preferring a relaxed and pleasurable cycling style find the Elbe Cycling Path to be an ideal combination of unhurried activity and grand nature experience. Cyclists hungry for altitude differences can be thrilled by panoramic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains away from the river bank.

The route conditions are sometimes rough and now and then there are some ascents to be mastered. But there are always fantastic views and gorgeous descents as an instant reward for all efforts. Many hosts have adapted to cyclists and provide suitable lodging. It goes without saying that even without their own bike, tourists can enjoy cycling pleasures. There are many specialised businesses renting bicycles or offering package deals for cyclists.

 

Adrenalin rush in the National Park

Radtour im Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz© Daniela Pensold

A particular insider’s tip is the cycling routes through the National Park. On certain hiking trails marked as cycling routes – at the moment about 50 km in all – you cycle right through untouched nature. The bicycle should however be well-suited for off-road use. And you should be prepared for steep ascents and descents, narrow sections and rough terrain. But this is exactly what makes these tours so interesting.

 

Cycling routes in the National Park

Kirnitzsch Valley Cycling Path

Krásná Lípa - Kyjovské údolaí - Zadní Doubice - Hinterhermsdorf - Neumannmühle - Bad Schandau

Neumannmühle im Kirnitzschtal© Andreas Balko

The Kirnitzsch Valley Cycling Path is a wonderful cross-border route through the unique countryside of both National Parks.  Cycle along this trail to enjoy unique nature, at times still completely untouched by human intervention. You also cross areas where human civilization and landscape come together tastefully and harmoniously. The cycling path follows the Kirnitzsch Stream which rises near the town of Krásná Lípa, passes through the wild nature of the National Park und finally flows into the Elbe River in the town of Bad Schandau.

Kirnitzsch Valley Cycling Path (only in German or Czech)

 

 

Cycle Bus

Achieve altitude differences - save your breath

Der FahrradBus wird mit Rädern beladen.© Marko Förster/RVSOE

Cycling in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a wonderful thing to do: You glide through the countryside from one panorama to the next and never stop marveling. And those who prefer it more comfortably take the cycle bus.

Special bus offers for cyclists

Cycle buses are an alternative for families and cyclists who like it the easy way. The idea is to provide a relaxed bus ride with your bicycle on the trailer and overcome uphill altitude differences effortless. Then with fresh energy you enjoy a relaxed downhill cycle ride through ever-changing panoramic sceneries. Exploring Saxon Switzerland also off the Elbe Cycling Path is like child’s play.

Route options

Four tours are offered in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains: Königstein and Pirna are starting points for bus lines No. 216, +219, 242 and 245 with the destination of Rosenthal/Bahratal. Bus No. 217 even runs to Tísa in Bohemia. 

Cycle buses are available on weekends and holidays from the beginning of April to the end of October.

VVO (Transport Network) Cycle bus service
Bus timetables

Bicyle Tours Saxon Switzerland:

Order cycling map for Elbe Sandstone Mountains now

Fahrradkarte Sächsische Schweiz© Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V.

Cycling in Saxon Switzerland is not restricted to the Elbe Cycling Path. Our new cycling map provides an overview of cycle tour options in Saxon Switzerland. 12 cycling routes criss-cross the Elbe Sandstone Mountains’ rocky landscape and their surroundings. The tours vary from short and easy loops of 20 km length to physically challenging 80 km tours and provide a way to extensively explore by bicycle the area off the hiking trails.

Excursion recommendations indicate which cycle tours can be linked with places that are already on your to-do-list. South of the Elbe River cycle buses regularly provide transport with your bicycles to some trail heads to reduce some of the uphill rides. These routes are specifically marked on the map. Links can download the routes to your GPS device or smartphone to keep you oriented during the tour. Service tips regarding bike hiring, electric bike recharging stations, repair shops and other services help you to plan your day trips.

Saxon Switzerland Tour Planner

Why plan a tour on your own if you can find the best routes on the internet? There are more than 200 hiking and cycling tour options in our tour planner complete with comprehensive information about arrival directions, altitude profiles, etc. as well as tips for maps and printed materials. No more than a mouse click is needed to download the complete route. For those who prefer to hike on a GPS basis, .gpx and .kml data are available for downloading, too. The less tech-savvy hikers or cyclists can fall back on PDF files provided in the download content of each tour. They include tour descriptions and an overview map which can be printed out and taken on the tour

 

 

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