Elbe Cycle Path

Dresden - Wittenberg - Dessau

Itinerary

Route

Tour Profile / Level 1

Flat, some parts slightly hilly.

Route: Dresden – Dessau (8 days)

Day 1: Dresden
Individual arrival. You arrive in Dresden, which is beautifully located in the Elbe valley. Whether the famous Zwinger, the Semper Opera or the Court Church – a tour of the former royal residents by bicycle will take you to many famous sites.

Day 2: Excursion Dresden – Bad Schandau, approx. 45 km
Use your leisure time in Dresden to visit the highlights of the wonderful city. Or take a short train ride (ticket included) to Bad Schandau. The trip will take you along the Elbe past the "Koenigstein fortress" back to Dresden.

Day 3: Dresden – Meissen, approx. 30 km
From far away you can already see the landmark of the city of Meissen: the impressive castle hill with the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg castle. A visit to the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory is also a must. Enjoy good wine in the evening as you are in the heart of one of the smallest yet most distinguished wine-growing regions of Germany.

Day 4: Meissen – Riesa/Strehla, approx. 28-36 km
Today’s tour will take you along the picturesque wine villages located along the Elbe river, especially Diesbar-Seusslitz. Next stop will be Riesa, the city of sports or Strehla with an enchanting rural atmosphere.

Day 5: Riesa/Strehla – Torgau, approx. 40-48 km
Your journey continues to Torgau, a Renaissance town featuring Schloss Hartenfels and the palatial church which is known as the first Protestant church of Germany and which was dedicated by Martin Luther.

Day 6: Torgau – Lutherstadt Wittenberg, approx. 68 km
The city Wittenberg is directly connected to the behalf of Martin Luther. Follow the footsteps of the Reformer and other personalities such as Phillip Melanchthon and Lucas Cranach in an individual city tour.

Day 7: Lutherstadt Wittenberg – Dessau, approx. 37 km
On the stage from Wittenberg to Dessau you will cycle through the world-famous Dessau-Wörlitz garden realm. This 100 hectare complex with islands, canals, temples and sculptures is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and invites you to linger. It is only a short way to Dessau.

Day 8: Dessau
Individual departure or extension of stay.

Route: Dresden – Wittenberg (7 days)

Day 1: Dresden
The "Florence on the Elbe" shines with the world-famous sights of the Church of Our Lady, the Zwinger, the Semper Opera House and the Brühl Terrace and forms a picturesque silhouette.

Day 2: Excursion Bad Schandau, approx. 45 km
In the morning we recommend a ride on the S-Bahn to Bad Schandau (ticket included). Then cycle relaxed past the most famous sights of Saxon Switzerland, such as the Bastei Rock in Rathen or the Königstein Fortress. Soon you will reach Pillnitz with its famous castle. Passing the three Elbe castles you reach baroque Dresden.

Day 3: Dresden – Meissen, approx. 30 km
From Dresden, the day’s stage takes you via the Karl May town of Radebeul to Meissen. Even from a distance you can see the landmark of Meißen, the castle hill with the cathedral and Albrechtsburg Castle. A visit to the world-famous porcelain manufactory should not be missed on this day.

Day 4: Meissen – Riesa/Strehla, approx. 28-36 km
This stage takes you past picturesque wine villages. The sport and noodle town of Riesa or rural Strehla are today’s stage destinations.

Day 5: Riesa/Strehla Torgau, approx. 40-48 km
You cycle on via Belgern, the town with the only Roland statue in Saxony. In Torgau it is worth visiting Hartenfels Castle and the castle church.

Day 6: Torgau – Lutherstadt Wittenberg, approx. 68 km
From the former Saxon royal seat you cycle via Pretzsch to Wittenberg, the starting point of Martin Luther’s Reformation movement 500 years ago.

Day 7: Wittenberg
Individual return journey or transfer service to Dresden.

Services

  • 6/7 nights in the chosen category

  • Daily breakfast

  • Train ticket to Bad Schandau

  • Luggage transport

  • Maps and information material/room

  • 7-day- Servicehotline

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type
    S1   01.04. - 11.05.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category A / 8 days
    S2   12.05. - 13.09.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category A / 8 days
    S1   14.09. - 31.10.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category A / 8 days
    S1   01.04. - 11.05.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category B / 8 days
    S2   12.05. - 13.09.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category B / 8 days
    S1   14.09. - 31.10.25
    Dresden - Dessau / Category B / 8 days
    S1   01.04. - 11.05.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category A / 7 days
    S2   12.05. - 13.09.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category A / 7 days
    S1   14.09. - 31.10.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category A / 7 days
    S1   01.04. - 11.05.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category B / 7 days
    S2   12.05. - 13.09.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category B / 7 days
    S1   14.09. - 31.10.25
    Dresden - Wittenberg / Category B / 7 days

    Extras

    Discount 3rd person (in double room with 2 full paying adults )
    0 - 2,99 years -100%
    3 - 12,99 years -50%
     
    Bicycles & equipment*
    7/21-speed-bike (6/7 nights) 90/105
    E-Bike (6/7 nights) 180/210
    * Bike rental valid from arrival day to last cycling day
     
    Additional nights Dresden
    Dresden Cat A (dbl/sgl) 80/117
    Dresden Cat B (dbl/sgl) 66/89
    other destinations Cat A (dbl/sgl) 72/100
    other destinations Cat B (dbl/sgl) 62/82
       
    Transfers Dessau or Wittenberg to Dresden
    Individual transfer Dessau-Dresden (2 people minimum, flat rate) 230
    Individual transfer Wittenberg-Dresden (2 people minimum, flat rate) 190
    Collective transfer Dessau-Dresden (SAT) 100
    Collective transfer Wittenberg-Dresden (WED) 95
    own bike on trasfer 25

    Best - Price - Guarantee

    If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!
    All prices per person in EUR

    Accommodation

    Hotel samples

    Category A 
    3-4* hotels, located in the center

    Dresden: Park Inn by Radisson Dresden
    Meißen: Dorint Parkhotel Meißen
    Riesa: Mercure Hotel Riesa Dresden Elbland
    Torgau: Hotel "Goldener Anker" Torgau
    Lutherstadt Wittenberg: Best Western soibelmanns Lutherstadt Wittenberg
    Dessau-Roßlau: Radisson Blu Fürst Leopold Hotel


    Category B 
    3* hotels uor guest houses, partially a bit outside of town

    Dresden: Pension Füg
    Meißen: Pension "Zum Goldenen Anker"
    Strehla: Ambiente Hotel Strehla
    Torgau: Hotel-Pension zum Markt
    Lutherstadt Wittenberg: Best Western soibelmanns Lutherstadt Wittenberg
    Dessau-Roßlau: City-Pension Dessau-Roßlau


    Note: Please be informed that these are hotel samples and therefore subject to alteration! Find Your final hotel bookings at Your hotel list after/at booking.

    Bicycle

    Bikes including pannier

    The following bikes (men’s and women’s) are available for rent:

    • 7-speed with back pedal (hub gears)
    • 21-speed (derailleur)
    • E-bikes

    E-Bikes | Electric bikes | Pedelecs

    This makes every bike tour a breeze! If you perhaps had little opportunity to cycle in the last few weeks before the bike tour, if you are not quite sure of your strength, but also with physical limitations, every bike tour will be a pleasure for you! The switchable, almost silent electric drive of our modern bike takes some of the work off your hands, and amplifies the pedal power by 3 times. So now cyclists with different fitness levels can book a bike tour together. Gradients are mastered with ease.

    Useful

    Arrival - Parking  Departure

    Arrival by plane

    Airport: Dresden (DRS)
    Airport Dresden - Dresden: Line S2 approx. 40min
    Dessau - Airport Dresden: with the "Deutsche Bahn" (www.bahn.com) - RE/ICE until "Bahnhof Dresden Neustadt" and with the line S2 to the airport. approx. 3h


    Arrival by train

    Train station: Dresden, Dessau, Bad Schandau, Wittenberg
    With the "Deutsche Bahn" (www.bahn.com)


    Arrival by car

    Dresden is connected to the national highway system by three highways. Depending on the hotel, there are often parking options available directly at or near the hotel. Please be aware that parking options near the hotel are limited, especially in the city center. Please inquire directly with your hotel about parking options. At www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of other parking options and prices.


    Transfer

    Individual transfer by bus Dessau - Dresden or Wittenberg - Dresden bookable, departure times freely selectable

    or: collective transfer every Saturday 10 am from Dessau and every Wednesday 10 am from Wittenberg back to Dresden.

    It is possible to take your own bike for an extra charge. For prices, see price table

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,4 of 6 Stars | 4
    We really enjoyed this tour. Cycle paths were excellent...K.M. 04/23
    5,3 23.05.2024 | Karen M. Elbe Cycle Path

    Elbe River Cycle

    We really enjoyed this tour. Cycle paths were excellent. The towns and their history were particularly interesting. Recommend that you extend your stay and enjoy walks around Saxon Switzerland
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 4
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 4
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    5,4 05.07.2022 | Jon Valur F. Elbe Cycle Path / Dresden - Dessau

    An easy trip, with a beautiful landscape.

    The trip was well organized by Rad und reisen and the trip was easy to cycle. The hotels were mostly good but there were not air-conditions in all of the hotels. Nearly all bikes were good but my e-bike was to small for a 2 meters high man. All the ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 5
    • Board 6
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 4
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    5,6 18.10.2019 | Frank O. Elbe Cycle Path

    Nice trip. Will be even better in the future.

    The route is getting needed upgrades because it includes both cobblestone and field stone sections. Several times we had to make detours because new asphalt sections were being laid. The start of the trip stays near the river. Later on you move away from ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 6
    • Luggage transport 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    load more travel stories

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