Saale Cycle Path part 2 – culture and nature along the river

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Bike Touring Collection by Saaleradweg

days

1-3 h

/ day

165 mi

4,100 ft

4,575 ft

This section of the Saale Cycle Path (Saaleradweg) is ideal for easy-going cyclists and beginner cycle Tourers. Totalling 267 kilometres (166 miles) and 1,260 metres (4,133 feet), the stages are moderately long and don’t have too many metres of elevation gain. You can ease yourself into cycling whilst enjoying the beautiful landscapes of the Saale Valley in eastern Germany.

The Saale Cycle Path is a varied long-distance route with gentle meadows and cultural cities such as Jena and Naumburg. You’d be hard pushed to find a similar route in Germany. There are some beautifully preserved and located castles en route too. Accommodation, beer gardens and refreshment stops are also plentiful along the Saale Cycle Path – staying overnight at a campsite or guesthouse is very convenient.

This section of the route leads on from the first four stages of the Saale Cycle Path. Alternatively, you can catch a train to the start point in Saalfeld. You often have the possibility to shorten the distance of the stages by catching a train en route. At the finish, you can cycle a few more kilometres along the Elbe Cycle Path to catch the train home from Schönebeck.

If you want to extend this route, you can combine the Saale Cycle Path with other bike paths like the Unstrut Cycle Path (Unstrut-Radweg) and the Elbe Cycle Path (Elberadweg). You can find both cycle paths here:

komoot.de/collection/547/unstrut-radweg-4-tage-durch-thueringen-und-sachsen-anhalt
komoot.de/collection/380/elberadweg-teil-i-grenzueberschreitendes-radvergnuegen

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Saaleradweg

254 mi

9,850 ft

12,125 ft

Last updated: November 29, 2021

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Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 5 Von Saalfeld nach Jena – Saaleradweg
03:29
36.5 mi
10.5 mph
1,100 ft
1,325 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The 57 kilometers from Saalfeld to Jena are mostly downhill today, only a few short climbs will make you sweat.

The cycle path meanders via Volkstedt and Rudolstadt from Saalfeld to the Saale until it continues its way through wide fields and meadows parallel to the course of the river. Hitting the Saale…
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Etappe 6 Von Jena nach Naumburg – Saaleradweg
03:20
33.4 mi
10.0 mph
1,150 ft
1,200 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Today you cycle 49 kilometers from Jena to Naumburg. You come through the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region. This stage is all about pleasure cycling, because on the route you always have the opportunity to try the delicious wines.

After you have left Jena, you will find yourself in a beautiful landscape…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 7 Von Naumburg nach Halle – Saaleradweg
03:46
38.9 mi
10.3 mph
925 ft
1,000 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Today it's 60 kilometers from Naumburg to Halle an der Saale. The route leads you through beautiful nature, but also through many urban sections when you pass cities such as Weißenfels, Merseburg and the foothills of Halle.

After Naumburg, you can first cycle comfortably along the banks of the Saale and…
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Etappe 8 Von Halle nach Bernburg – Saaleradweg
03:25
36.5 mi
10.7 mph
750 ft
775 ft
Ferry
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
You cycle 58 kilometers on the penultimate stage of the Saale Cycle Path from Halle to Bernburg. The cycle path leads through the unique landscape of the "Lower Saale Valley" nature park.

Behind the gates of the city you have a beautiful view of the Brachwitz Alps nature reserve, which impresses with…
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Etappe 9 Von Bernburg zur Saalemündung – Saaleradweg
01:50
19.8 mi
10.7 mph
175 ft
275 ft
Ferry
Easy
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
Today is the last stage on the Saale Cycle Path, which will take you from Bernburg to the mouth of the Saale on the Elbe. At 31 kilometers, it is one of the shorter and also one of the flattest stages of the bike tour. A really nice end to enjoy.

From Bernburg you roll along the banks of the Saale in…
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