Tour 3: Cycling Tour through Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland

Our tour starts at the market square in Bad Schandau. From here we cycle to the Elbe cycle path, which takes us in the direction of Schmilka. We cycle directly along the river below the Schrammstein massif. In Schmilka, we change to the road and cross the German-Czech border. In Hřensko, we turn left and follow the road through the lively town. We pass old mills and wind our way uphill bit by bit, while hikers walk alongside us on the footpath towards the Prebisch Gate.

The tree stumps that remained standing after the forest fire in 2022 are striking. Lots of greenery winds its way through. It is probably only since then that we have had a clear view of the back of the Prebischtor above the turn-off for the hikers. A first beer garden awaits us in Mezní Louka, and there are more places to stop for refreshments in Vysoká Lípa a few kilometers further on. Here we have almost reached the highest point of the tour. We turn left at the Hotel Kortus and leave the road. Cycle route 3029 is well paved and takes you into the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The view of the Šaunštejn rock castle is impressive. The cycle route is also part of the Bohemian Road nature trail and numerous information boards bear witness to life in Bohemian Switzerland in past centuries. For example, we pass an old charcoal burner's hut directly under a rock.

At Hühnerstein, we do not turn right, but change to cycle route 3030 and continue through the forest on excellent gravel. We follow the cycle route and turn right at a large crossroads towards Hinterhermdorf or Bad Schandau. Directly at the green border, we come across the Kirnitzsch below the Rabensteine. A narrow bridge takes us from the Czech Republic to Germany, from Bohemia to Saxony.

At first, the national park cycle path along the Kirnitzsch is still quite narrow, but soon changes to better terrain. At the next junction, we turn left and follow the Kirnitzsch cycle path further and further, passing the Niedere Schleuse lock, which tells of earlier rafting days. Continuing along the stream, we reach the Kirnitzschtalstraße after a while, where we turn left. This leads us through the valley of the same name towards Bad Schandau. Buschmühle, Neumannmühle, Mittelndorfer Mühle - there are plenty of places to stop for refreshments and rest while we let ourselves roll down to the Elbe. Our tour ends at the market square in Bad Schandau.