2023
Cycle tour along the river Elbe from Dresden to Dessau

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 Road and the Semperoper
  • Daily routes ●●●○○
  • Altitude profile ●○○○○
  • Bestseller!

days
8

km / day avg.
45

This stretch forms the heart of the Elbe cycle path. 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 ●○○○○
Cycle tour along the river Elbe from Dresden to Dessau

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, Semper Opera House and the Frauenkirche, which was completely destroyed in the Second World War and has been lovingly rebuilt.

Day 2: Saxon Switzerland approx. 45 km + train journey, or approx. 90 km

Today you will follow the Elbe cycle path 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

From Meißen to Riesa you will cycle along one of the most well developed stretches of the Elbe cycle path. The soft green of the vineyards will accompany you all day as you follow the Saxon Wine Road (Sächsische Weinstraße). Diesbar-Seußlitz is perfect for a break, here you can find a dreamy castle with a labyrinthine Baroque garden. The sports town Riesa is today’s destination.

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 Path 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.

Day 8: Individual departure or extended stay

Your holiday on the Elbe cycle tour unfortunately comes to an end after breakfast. If you like, we can happily extend your stay.

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Dates / prices / services

Season times and prices 2023

Arrival daily from 01.04.2023 to 07.10.2023

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Category B

Season A
01.04. - 28.04.
24.09. - 07.10.
from599 €
Season B
29.04. - 16.06.
03.09. - 23.09.
from699 €
Season C
17.06. - 02.09.

from729 €

Category A

Season A
01.04. - 28.04.
24.09. - 07.10.
from699 €
Season B
29.04. - 16.06.
03.09. - 23.09.
from769 €
Season C
17.06. - 02.09.

from799 €

All prices per person in a double room.

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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 number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • GPS-tracks available on request
  • Cycle route description with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service Hotline (7 days, 8 AM - 8 PM)
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Not included:

  • light rail (S-Bahn) journey Bad Schandau - Dresden, approx. 10 Euro per person excl. bike
  • city or visitor's tax (if payable)
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Child reduction on basic price

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%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

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Additional Services

Additional bookable services

Category B
Category A

Additional fee single room

199 €

229 €

Return transfer excl. own bike, Dessau – Dresden

89 €

Return transfer incl. own bike, Dessau – Dresden

119 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Category B
Category A
Dessau
 DBL

55 €

65 €

 SGL

89 €

99 €

Dresden
 DBL

59 €

69 €

 SGL

89 €

105 €

Meissen
 DBL

59 €

65 €

 SGL

89 €

99 €

Riesa
 DBL

59 €

65 €

 SGL

99 €

Torgau
 DBL

59 €

 SGL

95 €

Wittenberg
 DBL

55 €

65 €

 SGL

89 €

99 €

All prices are per person

Rental Bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
239 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 7-gear unisex bike, hub gears with back-pedal brakes (men’s bikes from 1.85 m)
  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with free-wheel (men’s bikes from 1.85 m)
  • Electric bike
Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, pump, repair kit

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Rental Bike

7- or 21-gear Rental Bike

99 €

E-bike

239 €

Brief Information

  • 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 in garage of the hotel. Cost: approx. 10 € / day, no reservation necessary, payable on site.
    Free-of-charge parking nearby the hotel available.
    Category A:
    Underground parking at the start hotel. Cost: 24 € / day, no reservation necessary, payable on site.
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Returning to Dresden
    Optional with a minibus every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Duration: about 2 hours.
    If you do not want to continue your journey directly after the transfer, you can book additional nights in Dresden.
    You can also book the transfer from Dessau to Dresden before the bike tour. So you can continue your tour from Dessau right after the tour. Please write your booking request in the online booking form in the free text field.
    Alternatively organize your own return journey by train, connections leave every hour, duration approx. 3 – 4 hours, involves changing 1 times.
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
    Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
Cycle tour along the river Elbe from Dresden to Dessau

days
8

km / day avg.
45