Dresden and Saxon Switzerland

Individual arrival in Dresden. Your accommodation is in Dresden-Neustadt, known for its subculture and its international gastronomy.

After breakfast you get on your bike for the first day’s stage. You leave the urban surroundings and discover the former hunting grounds of the Saxon nobility, passing fish ponds and the famous hunting seat Moritzburg Castle. The track guides you through mixed forests and across fields until you reach Pulsnitz, the city of gingerbread. There are different restaurants and cafés where you can refresh. In the palace garden of Pulsnitz you get off your bike and you’re rewarded by the look at an extraordinary hornbeam alley. You continue through the historical woodland of Massenei. After about 100 km, you reach your first day’s stage: Stolpen.

Altitude difference: 950 m – Level of difficulty: 2-3/5

After a large breakfast, you can visit the impressive, 800 years old Stolpen Castle. After this, you enter the Saxon Switzerland National Park (free access). You make a side trip to the famous Bastei Bridge, because it’s a must-see when you are in the Saxon Switzerland. After visiting the Bastei, you discover the national park enjoying many breathtaking views over Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland. Beautiful gravel roads through vast forests invite you to slow down. Enjoy the fresh air and look for sources with clean drinking water. Having passed bizarre and impressive rock formations you finally reach your day’s stage Bad Schandau at the Elbe river.
In order to discover Saxon Switzerland on foot, we recommend to extend the stay in Bad Schandau (see “Extras”).

Altitude difference: 1.310 m – Level of difficulty: 2-3/5

Today’s track starts to the nice Bielatal valley, where you might see some climbers. Soon, through the trees, you catch a glimpse of the imposing Königstein Fortress that finally appears in its full size. A visit is highly recommended. After Königstein, you slowly leave the Saxon Switzerland in the direction of Dresden. The area gets more and more urban and you reach the city of Pirna. You pass the historically interesting Sonnenstein Castle and the old town centre with its many restaurants and cafés. You follow the track back to the other side of the Elbe river and you see many vineyards on your way to Pillnitz. The amazing Pillnitz Castle is characterized by its late Baroque architecture with East Asian influences. If you have time left, it’s worth it visiting the beautiful castle complex. You finish your journey with a final ride on the Elbe Cycle Route to the old town (Altstadt) of Dresden.

Altitude difference: 850 m – Level of difficulty: 2/5

If you have time, you can discover the old town of Dresden by foot after your breakfast. The historical center of the Saxon capitol was rebuilt after its total destruction in World War II. The Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), Brühl’s Terrasse, the Royal Palace and the palatial complex “Zwinger” are in immediate proximity to your hotel. Individual departure or extension of stay.