Gravel Tour 2: Valleys on the Left Bank of the Elbe

The loop tour begins at the “An der Festwiese” parking lot in Radebeul. Right from the start, you can enjoy the charming landscape of the Elbe Valley. You’ll first head west on the Elbe Cycle Path, riding alongside the picturesque Elbe meadows. The nearly flat paved surface makes it easy to pick up speed right away. After passing Kaditz, you’ll cross the Elbe and enter the idyllic villages and valleys on the left bank of the river. The route passes by the Zschonergrund Nature Reserve. For your first break, it’s worth making a detour to the Zschonergrund natural swimming area or to the historic Zschoner Mill, where you can enjoy a cold drink in the beer garden. You can also stop by the Vorwerk Podemus organic farm for a snack and enjoy the natural surroundings.

You’ll begin to gain elevation as you continue through the tranquil villages of Dresden-Pennrich, Gompitz, and Freital-Wurgwitz. From Wurgwitz to Kesselsdorf, the route then follows the Edgar-Rudolph-Weg, a former railroad line that connected Freital with Wilsdruff until 1972. The old railroad embankment, with its path through woods and meadows, serves as a reminder of this region’s past.

The route continues to wind its way along old country roads around Klipphausen, past the edges of the forest, and through the countryside dotted with historic farmsteads, mills, and well-maintained village churches. The ride to Naustadt follows a gently descending stretch, where varied small undulations provide frequent opportunities for short bursts of effort. Finally, you can enjoy the descent to Gauernitz. After one last short climb, take a detour to Eichhörnchengrund near Gauernitz for a rest; this is also where the Schulzemühle is located—Germany’s smallest, walk-in, still-operational watermill, built on a 1:5 scale. From here, the tour continues through the wild and romantic Regenbach Valley to Constappel, where you’ll meet the Elbe again and can enjoy an impressive panoramic view along the riverbank. After crossing the river near Niederwartha, the loop is complete: you return to the Elbe Cycle Route and follow it at a leisurely pace to Radebeul.

If you’d like to wind down the day here in the historic village center of Altkötzschenbroda, you’ll find plenty of cozy cafés, bars, and restaurants. Lovers of Saxon wine are spoiled for choice thanks to the many idyllic wineries in the area. For example, you can stop by the Hoflößnitz Winery and marvel at the viticulture museum there as well.

If you have more time and want to immerse yourself in the history of Karl May and his adventures, the Karl May Museum is the place to go.

Trail Conditions:

32.8 km of

paved road

, 11.1 km of road, 5.2 km of gravel path, 3.7 km of nature trail, 1.0 km of other terrain

moderate to steep climbs on paved and loose surfaces