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Elbsandsteingebirge, Dresden, Sächsisches Elbland

The Elbsandsteingebirge/ Sandstone mountain range with its mysterious rock formations has cast its spell on friends of nature for times immemorial. Roaring streams in craggy gorges, table mountains such as Lilienstein, tops on which the trees and rocks jut out from the surrounding forest to form a unique backdrop for tourists and hikers. The fortress Koenigstein and the Bastei rock are the destination of almost all the visitors to this countryside. The Saxon Elbland between Pirna and Meissen beckons with culture, art and history. Palaces and castles with museums, vineyards and winegrower villages, historical towns such as Meissen and Pirna and many pubs along the Saxon wine road along the Elbe. All this is waiting to be discovered on a bicycle. Not least Dresden with the Zwinger, a famous Baroque building, the Semper opera, the Bruehlschen Terrasse, art galleries, collections and exhibitions represent a large part of the cultural experiences on the Elbe. The focal point of cycling tours is the Elbe cycling route between Bad Schandau and Meissen which leads you, in the course of the individual excursions through this countryside of Switzerland of Saxony, to many highlights. Short legs with plenty of time for breaks and sightseeing characterize these tours.

The Elbe cycling tour (Tour ELB 06 oder ELB 07)
Tour length: approx. 260 km
Tour duration: 8 days/7 nights (ELB 06) , 7 days/6 nights (ELB 07)

From Elbsandstein to Wittenberg, the town of Martin Luther (Tour ELB 06 oder ELB 07)

1st day: Arrival in Dresden
in the course of the afternoon. Acceptance of the roadsters. Overnight stay in Dresden.
2nd day: Via Pirna to Bad Schandau approx. 45 km
The tour via castle Pillnitz leads past Albrecht's castles and the royal vineyards to Pirna, the gate to the 'Sächsische Schweiz' / Switzerland of Saxony. Further upstream along the Elbe, you steer your bicycle to Rathen with its famous rock stage. You enjoy a wonderful view of the Elbe valley from the bastion. You continue your tour to Bad Schandau and Krippen. Overnight stay.
3rd day: Bad Schandau – Pirna approx. 30 km
Before making your way back, you should take the lift in the footsteps of painters in Bad Schandau. Or make an excursion to the waterfalls in the Kirnitsch valley. Return trip via Koenigstein. The fortress bearing the same name shelters a 50 m deep well. The best approach to the fortress for sightseeing is on foot. Overnight stay in Pirna. Tour ELB 07 leads up to Meissen. The following leg deals with it.
4th day: Pirna - Meissen approx. 24/45 km
Back to Dresden, either on the right hand side or the left hand side of the Elbe, or the suburban railway as desired. The tour leads to Meissen via Radebeul (Karl May Museum) You get wonderful sights of the Elbe valley when you take a side track through the vineyards near Winboehla. In Meissen the romantic old heart of the town with its winding alleys and the Albrecht castle tempt you to go for a stroll. Last but not least in mind, the porcelain factory. Overnight stay in Meissen.
5th day: Meissen - Strehla approx. 42 km
Alongside the most northern vineyards in Germany to Diesbar-Seusslitz. Apart from the baroque castle with its wonderful gardens, the winegrowers' town has varied possibilities for a stop where you can taste and familiarise yourself with Saxonian wine. Further along the Elbe, past the former steel town Riesa to Strehla. Strehla itself is an idyllic little town with a history dating back more than 1000 years. Overnight stay in Riesa oder Strehla.
6th day: Strehla - Torgau approx. 44 km
Today your destination is the former fortress town of Torgau. At this historical place the Soviet and the American armies met on the Elbe bridge in World War II. This leg leads via the little town Muehlberg with the monastery grounds of the Cistercians and the Treblitz arboretum. Overnight stay.
7th day: Torgau – Wittenberg approx. 66 km
The largest exhibition on reformation history in the Luther Hall in Wittenberg leads you in the footsteps of Martin Luther. You pass castle Lichtenberg and Pretsch along the Elbe on your way to the Luther town Wittenberg,. Overnight stay.
8th day: Wittenberg - return home
After breakfast you return your bicycle and return home under your own steam, or you can book a further night. You can cycle from Wittenberg to the nearby park grounds, the Wörlitzer Park, by ferry across the Elbe along the cycle route in the direction of Coswig. We, upon request, gladly reserve additional nights for you at various other places.

Tour ELB 06 - Elbe cycle tour
8 days/7 nights

please ask for details, dates, price:   colditzcastle@web.de

Services offered
8 days/7 nights/ breakfast room with shower/WC or bath/WC, baggage transport from hotel to hotel, hired roadster with baggage carrier, map with trekking description of the tour

Tour ELB 07 - Elbe cycle tour
7 days/6 nights

Services offered
7 days/6 nights/ breakfast room with shower/WC or bath/WC, baggage transport from hotel to hotel, hired roadster with baggage carrier, map with trekking description of the tour

booking form, booking conditions, more information .....

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