From the Elster to the Mühltal valley

The starting point of the route is the Elster bridge in Gera/Untermhaus. We cross the Elster bridge and then turn right towards Schelling bridge - continuing past Kupferhammer - along the Elster riverbank to the equestrian facility in Milbitz, here turn left and continue to the town center. Then turn right towards Thieschitz and continue straight on the main street to Rubitz, then straight ahead via Töppeln – Niederndorf – Harpersdorf to Kraftsdorf. Along this section you will pass very well-preserved half-timbered houses. Continue to Oberndorf. Here turn right and at the entrance to Bad Klosterlausnitz turn left onto the bike path to the leisure pool "Kristall". Then turn right to Weißenborn and ride through the beautiful Mühltal valley. The Eisenberg Mühltal runs along the Rauda stream where former mills stand, almost all of which have been converted into inns/hotels. It is one of the most charming valleys in Thuringia. At the valley exit, continue on the new bike path to Hartmannsdorf. At the roundabout, head towards Tauchlitz - turn right at OA Tauchlitz and keep right at OE Silbitz. In the center of Silbitz, turn right - Elster bridge Silbitz - then turn left towards Caaschwitz. In the center of Caaschwitz, turn left towards Bad Köstritz. At OE Bad Köstritz, ride past the outdoor pool, then go through a narrow alley – past the mill ditch and crossing Heinrich-Schütz-Strasse - At Anger-Brühl. Here the B7 road is crossed. In Bad Köstritz there is quite a bit to see, such as the Heinrich-Schütz House, the park with animal enclosure, the Köstritzer Schwarzbier brewery, and the dahlia center. Continue on the bike path to Gera over the Langenberg bridge – Franzosen bridge and back to Gera/Untermhaus. Between Gera and Caaschwitz or Tauchlitz, this route follows the long-distance cycling routes "Thüringer Städtekette" and "Elster cycle path".

Family tip - sights and leisure experiences nearby/on the route:

• Hofwiesenpark Gera with numerous play, sports and leisure opportunities
• Gera Zoo with the park railway
• Gera caves
• Castle park Bad Köstritz with animal enclosure
• Dahlia center in the Haus des Gastes Bad Köstritz
• former mills in the Mühltal valley