Saale Cycle Path — 9 stages from the source of the Saale to the Elbe
Saale Cycle Path — 9 stages from the source of the Saale to the Elbe
Cycling Collection by Saaleradweg
Saale Cycle Path — 9 stages from the source of the Saale to the Elbe
9 days
1-3 h/day
418km
2,770m
3,430m
The Saale Cycle Path takes you from Bavaria to Saxony-Anhalt on over 400 kilometers (250 miles) of breathtakingly beautiful bikeways. Starting in the Fichtel Mountains in Upper Franconia, it winds you alongside the Saale river to the cities of Jena and Naumburg—leading you to the point where it joins the Elbe near Barby.
Along the cycle path, you'll find countless accommodation options, such as hotels, guesthouses and campsites. As the regions is fairly popular amongst cyclists, these places are also specially prepared for the specific needs of bikepackers/long-distance tourers. You will also find many restaurants, cafés, beer gardens and wineries as well as beautiful resting places in the middle of nature where you can enjoy a quick rest stop or picnic while you ride. Allowing you to cut the ride short should you suddenly need to head home, you'll also pass numerous train stations which will allow for a quick getaway from any of the individual ride stages.
To get to the start of the ride, you can take the train to Münchberg, which is about nine kilometers (six miles) from the source of the Saale. If you don't want to cycle this section, you can also start the first stage at Seulbitz, where there is a train station, and skip the first 15 kilometers (9 miles). At the end of the Saale cycle path, you can simply continue down the road a little further until you get to Schönebeck. From here, you can take the train to wherever you're headed—whether that be back home or off to your next adventure.
If, after all this biking, you're not quite done yet, you can also combine the Saale cycle path with other long-distance bike routes, such as the Unstrut Cycle Path and the Elbe Cycle Path. You can find our Collections detailing these potential add-ons here:
komoot.com/collection/547/unstrut-cycle-path-4-days-through-thuringia-and-saxony-anhalt
komoot.com/collection/380/elbe-cycle-path-part-i-cross-border-cycling-pleasure
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Saale cycle path
407km
2,860m
3,520m
Last updated: September 12, 2025
Do it yourself!
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Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full route below as a template.
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Activities
36.6km
02:22
220m
460m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
30.0km
02:07
360m
410m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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45.7km
03:15
530m
670m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
43.1km
02:52
670m
740m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
58.6km
03:24
220m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
51.2km
02:58
220m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
62.6km
03:46
280m
310m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
58.8km
03:25
230m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
31.8km
01:50
60m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Collection Stats
Activities
9
Distance
418 km
Duration
25:59 h
Elevation
2,770 m
3,430 m
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