This gentle tour
(no day is longer than 30 miles) follows the
route of the river Elbe north
from Dresden to the garden city of Dessau.
Most of the route is a well built, dedicated
cycle path. In many cases, you have the choice
of cycling along either the left or the right
bank of the river.
You can add extra nights along the way, or at the
end, as you wish. You also have the choice of doing the trip in
the opposite direction, north to south. The advantage of this is
that the prevailing wind tends to be from the north or northwest.
The disadvantage is that the guidebook is written as described below
starting in the south.
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Day 1. Arrival in Bad Schandau.
Day 2. The first day sees you first cycling through the towering Elbe Sandstone
Massif of Saxon Switzerland, climaxing with your journey below the Bastei high above
Rathen, then through delightful water meadows to Dresden, locally known as
"Florence on the Elbe" (about 27 miles).
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Day 3. As this is one of the shorter days, you have time to explore
Dresden before leaving, if you want. If you want a longer trip,
you can make a detour to the gorgeous Moritzburg Palace, a striking
baroque water palace.
First cycle to Radebeul, in the most north easterly wine growing area of Europe,
known for its sparkling wines. This is also the terminus of one of Saxony's
famous narrow gauge steam railways. From here you continue along the river
bank to Meissen, famous throughout the world as the site of the first porcelain
manufactory in Euope. less well known, but just as worthy of a visit are the
cathedral and many other architectural monuments (about 19 miles).
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Day 4. Leave Meissen, passing the last couple of vineyards on the Elbe
as well as some dramtic cliffs. On the left bank there are two fine castles,
while on the right there is a third castle as well as a number of riverside cafes
for relaxing. The day ends either at the attractive small town of Riesa
(about 17½ miles) or you continue to Strehla
(about 22½ miles).
Day 5. If you have overnighted in Riesa, then Strehla is your first stop.
This is where the first meeting between the US Army and the Soviet Army
took place in 1945. However, this has long been overshadowed by the "official"
meeting in Torgau (today's destination). A memorial was only recently built
by the ferry crossing.
From Strehla the route takes you mostly away from the river for the first
time. You cycle across flat meadows through villages and small towns to
end at Torgau (about 30 miles from Riesa, or about 25 miles
from Strehla).
Torgau, over one thousand years old, is one of the finest Renaissance towns
in the whole of Germany. In the sixteenth century it was the preferred home
of the Electors of Saxony, and Martin Luther built the very first protestant
church here. There is also a memorial to Luther's wife here.
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Day 6. This is a peaceful days cycling across flat meadows near
the river. Storks can be seen nesting here, as you pass through the
attractive villages. In Priesitz there is a river boatmen's church.
The day ends at Pretzsch (about 24 miles).
Day 7. Today you return to cycling close to the river for much
of the way. En route you pass the fine windmill in Elster, before reaching
your destination - Wittenberg (about 22 miles).
Now officially known as Lutherstadt Wittenberg (Luther's City of Wittenberg), the university city offers much more than just memories of Martin Luther himself. There are also the former workshops of the great artist Lucas Cranach the Elder and the house of Luther's colleague Melancthon to visit. Day 8. The final day takes you through the watermeadows to the west of
Wittenberg to Wörlitz. The countryside here is characterised by a number
of long, narrow lakes that were once part of the river, before its course changed.
The last few miles to Dessau are wooded (about 23 miles).
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The area is known for its gardens, parks and palaces, now a UNESCO World Heritage
site. This whole area is very popular in summer and the cycle paths can be very busy.
Dessau, though, is also known for its technological achievements, particularly
the Bauhaus school of architecture.
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