Elbe Cycle Route - Dresden Elbland Section - Left Bank of the Elbe

The starting point is in Pirna, where the Old Town—with its historic market square, town hall, St. Mary’s Church, and city museum—provides an impressive backdrop right from the start. From here, the route follows a very well-maintained bike path through Heidenau toward Dresden, where a wealth of sights awaits.

In Dresden, the first thing to catch your eye is the “Blue Wonder,” the Loschwitz Elbe Bridge, before the route leads to the highlights of Dresden’s Old Town. The Baroque Frauenkirche, the Zwinger, the Semper Opera House, and the Royal Palace are just as worth seeing as the Transportation Museum and the City Museum. The diverse dining scene in the city center also invites you to linger, while Dresden’s Neustadt on the opposite bank of the Elbe entices visitors with a lively trendy neighborhood, creative art projects, and a vibrant nightlife.

A little further out of town, after cycling along the green Elbe meadows, the Gohlis Windmill offers another opportunity to take a break and explore.

The route continues through Klipphausen, where, for example, the Schulzemühle miniature mill is open on the first Sunday of every month during the summer. A short detour to Scharfenberg is well worth it to visit the former Grube Güte Gottes mine and take a look inside the Hoffnungsschacht shaft. You then continue on to Meissen, famous for its porcelain tradition and winegrowing. Here, the historic old town, Albrechtsburg Meissen, the imposing cathedral, and the medicinal and herb garden of the Meissen Social Projects Foundation beckon visitors. The HAUS MEISSEN experience center offers insights into the art of porcelain making, and the winemakers at Rothen Gut Meissen invite you to visit their winery on the left bank of the Elbe.

From Meissen, the route continues through picture-perfect countryside to Zehren and Hirschstein, where idyllic villages and vast fields line the way. In Riesa, visitors can explore the Nudelcenter Riesa, the City Museum, the monastery, and the zoo. The city also offers an exciting mix of industrial history and recreational opportunities. Further north, the bike path leads to Strehla and the legendary Nixstein. Here, stories abound about the“Nixe”(mermaid), which is nestled in the landscape and sparks the imagination. A little further on, you’ll reach the “Am Nixstein” inn, the ideal spot for a break. The Nixenbad, complete with a campground, also invites you to relax. The Strehla ferry connects the left bank of the Elbe with Lorenzkirch on the right bank and is the only crossing point for cyclists between Riesa and Mühlberg.

The final section runs along the Elbe to Torgau, the northernmost point of the route. The 1,000-year history of this Renaissance town can be explored at numerous historic sites. The Renaissance market square forms the heart of the old town, and Hartenfels Castle—the most significant early Renaissance castle in Germany—is a must-see highlight. From the castle’s Hausmann Tower, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the countryside and the green meadows along the Elbe. Torgau marks the end of this impressive route, before you can begin your return journey to Pirna via the route on the right bank of the Elbe.

You can find all the latest information on detours along the bike path on the official Elbe Cycle Route website:

https://www.elberadweg.de/news-service/aktuelle-informationen-und-news/