

Cycle tour along the river Elbe
The classic route from Dresden to Dessau
Dresden – Meißen – Riesa – Dessau
- Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the porcelain town of Meissen, Saxon Wine Route and the Semperoper
- Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profile ●○○○○
- Bestseller!
Days
8
Ø km per day
45
This stretch forms the heart of the Elbe Cycle Route. On this tour you will cycle through the almost untouched landscapes of the Elbe floodplains and the impressive Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Famous cities such as Dessau, Wittenberg, Meißen and Dresden and the omnipresent legacy of Martin Luther are part of the cultural offering. Dreamy baroque castles and Renaissance gardens will take you back in history. The countless reaction ferries are a true peculiarity – these cable ferries have no motor, but use the reaction of the current against a fixed tether to propel themselves across the river.
Itinerary
- Booking code
NO-ELDD7 - Start / Destination
Dresden / Dessau - Duration
8 days / 7 nights - Length
approx. 245 – 290 km
Daily routes ●●●○○
between 25 and 90 km, Ø 45 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○

Day 1: Individual arrival in Dresden
Dresden’s impressive townscape will beckon to you from afar. See for yourself and explore the elegant Baroque architecture of this cultural centre. Use the time to visit the wonderfully restored historic part of the city and its famous buildings, the Zwinger Palace, Semperoper Opera House and Frauenkirche church, which was completely destroyed in the World War II and has been lovingly rebuilt.
Day 2: Excursion to Bad Schandau, approx. 45 km + train ride or approx. 90 km
Today you will follow the Elbe Cycle Route to Pillnitz. You will then continue cycling upstream to the rugged sandstone rocks of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. A hike up the Bastei rock is worthwhile – it is one of the most striking viewpoints of Saxon Switzerland. From here you will have a beautiful view of the Elbe Valley. We recommend the light rail (S-Bahn) for your journey back (not included).
Day 3: Dresden – Meißen, approx. 25 km
Before the trip really gets going, it´s worth taking a small detour to Moritzburg Castle and then, if you like, a steam train to Radeburg. After that you pedal via Radebeul, which used to be home to Karl May, to Meissen. As you cycle along the Elbe there will be lots of opportunities to try some wonderful local wines. In the porcelain town of Meissen, Albrechtsburg castle and the porcelain factory are a must. It's worth making sure you have enough time to visit them.
Day 4: Meißen – Riesa, approx. 35 km
You cycle from Meißen to Riesa on one of the best-developed sections of the Elbe Cycle Route. The gentle green of the vineyards accompanies you throughout the day as you follow the Saxon Wine Route. Take a break in Diesbar-Seußlitz, home to an enchanted castle with a winding baroque garden. You have reached today's destination in the sports town of Riesa.
Day 5: Riesa – Torgau, approx. 45 km
You will cycle downstream along the Elbe to Mühlberg, where a former Cistercian monastery is located. Maybe you won’t even notice, but you will cycle through a tip of the federal state of Brandenburg. Your destination is Torgau, well-known as one of Gemany’s most beautiful Renaissance towns. The grave of Martin Luther’s widow Katharina von Bora is located in the church St. Marien.
Day 6: Torgau – Wittenberg, approx. 65 km
Today you cycle along the river into the federal state of Brandeburg. Following Luther's traces, Pretzsch and Lichtenburg castles will mark your way. Castle Lichtenburg is home to a museum for local history. Following the Elbe Cycle Route downstream you will soon arrive in Wittenberg, one of the most significant places associated with Martin Luther. He nailed his 95 theses to the door of the local church here in 1517.
Day 7: Wittenberg – Dessau, approx. 30 km
You will cycle downstream along the Elbe directly to the extensive park landscape of the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Realm, also known as the English Grounds of Wörlitz. Soon you will reach Dessau and you will have the opportunity to visit classicistic buildings, countless castles, as well as the Bauhaus – Dessau’s landmark, which was constructed in 1926.
Dates / Prices / Services
Category B
Category A
Services
- 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 2* / 3* level,
Category B (NO-ELDD7b) - 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3* / 4* level,
Category A (NO-ELDD7a) - Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Dessau, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
- Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
- Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
For our younger cyclists
discount-icon discount-icon-baby |
From 0 to 5 years |
-100% |
discount-icon discount-icon-lego |
From 6 to 11 years |
-50% |
discount-icon discount-icon-football |
From 12 to 14 years |
-25% |
discount-icon discount-icon-joystick |
From 15 to 17 years |
-10% |
Additional services
Category B
|
Category A
|
|
---|---|---|
Additional fee single room |
219 € |
249 € |
Return transfer excl. Bike, Dessau - Dresden (Fri, Sat, Sun) |
95 € |
|
Return transfer incl. bike, Dessau - Dresden (Fri, Sat, Sun) |
135 € |
Room
|
Breakfast
|
Category B
|
Category A
|
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Dessau
|
DBL |
|
65 € |
69 € |
SGL |
|
105 € |
109 € |
|
Dresden
|
DBL |
|
59 € |
69 € |
SGL |
|
95 € |
105 € |
|
Meißen
|
DBL |
|
65 € |
75 € |
SGL |
|
99 € |
119 € |
|
Riesa
|
DBL |
|
69 € |
|
SGL |
|
115 € |
||
Wittenberg
|
DBL |
|
55 € |
65 € |
SGL |
|
89 € |
105 € |
Rental bikes
Rental Bikes



Rental bike types
- 7-gear unisex bike, hub gears with coaster brake (men's bike from 1,85 m)
- 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1,85 m)
- 30-gear trapezoid bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
- E-bike / pedelec
Equipment
Pannier, handlebar bag, odometer, air pump, repair kit
Show more Show less
7- / 21-gear rental bike |
99 € |
30-gear rental bike |
169 € |
E-bike / pedelec |
259 € |
Brief info
- Booking code
NO-ELDD7 - Start / Destination
Dresden / Dessau - Duration
8 days / 7 nights - Length
approx. 245 – 290 km
Daily routes ●●●○○
between 25 and 90 km, Ø 45 km
Altitude profile ●○○○○ - Parking information
Category B: Parking spaces in hotel garage, cost approx. 7 € / day, payable on site; free parking spaces near the hotel
Category A: Underground parking, cost approx. 14 € / day, payable on site
No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen - Return to Dresden
Optionally by minibus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, duration approx. 2 hours, must be specified when booking, payable on site
You can also book the transfer from Dessau to Dresden before the cycle tour. This means you can continue your journey from Dessau immediately after the tour. Please specify your booking request in the online booking form in the open text field.
Alternatively on your own by train, hourly connections, duration approx. 3 – 4 hours, 1 change of trains - Tour operated by
Local cooperation partner - Mobility note
The trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. - Print version PDF
