Ride the Elbe Cycle Route through Saxony-Anhalt
Bike Touring Collection by Reiseland Sachsen-Anhalt
4-7
days
3-5 h
/ day
227 mi
2,825 ft
3,050 ft
Idyllic river meadows extend for miles along the Elbe. Storks and cranes land on the colorful meadows while you admire the picturesque river landscape with yellow sandbanks and tree-lined banks. Unforgettable moments like these await you along the Elbe Cycle Path in Saxony-Anhalt.
In this Collection, we present the 224-mile (360 km) Elbe Cycle Route in nine stages. Thanks to the flat, well-developed cycle paths in Saxony-Anhalt, the route is suitable for everyone, whether you are a hobby cyclist or an ambitious long-distance rider.
The starting point of the Elbe Cycle Path through Saxony-Anhalt is just south of Pretzsch near Priesnitz. You can travel here on public transport with the bus 333 from Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
The route takes you northwards through beautiful countryside along the Elbe and its surroundings. You pass unique nature such as the Middle Elbe and Elbe River Landscape biosphere reserves.
You can cycle the Elbe Cycle Route in both directions. We’ve chosen to cycle northwards, following the river’s flow. But if you ride from north to south, you can enjoy tailwind most of the way. You can choose whether you prefer to cycle with the wind or the water.
In addition to fabulous nature, there is also plenty of culture to discover. Visit the Bauhaus city of Dessau, explore Magdeburg’s magnificent cathedral, or wander the streets of the island city of Havelberg.
Your adventure finishes in Schnackenburg in Lower Saxony. From here, you can continue on the Elbe Cycle Path or take the 944 bus from nearby Lanz to Wittenberge, where you can connect to long-distance trains.
There are overnight stops and refreshment facilities at all stage destinations. Beautiful campsites are also dotted along the cycle path as well as charming villages with pleasant cafés to take a break.
On The Map
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Last updated: December 8, 2021
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Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate02:2626.0 mi10.7 mph250 ft300 ftFerry
To start your bike tour on the Elberadweg through Saxony-Anhalt, the best way to get from Wittenberg is by bus 333 to Priesitz. You can take your bike with you on the bus for free. Here you can directly enter the Elberadweg or cycle about three kilometers to the south, where the Elberadweg crosses the…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate02:2325.0 mi10.5 mph400 ft425 ftFerry
From Lutherstadt Wittenberg you cycle along the loops of the Elbe through wide meadows and beautiful riparian forests to the west.
After about half of the route you will reach Wörlitzer Park. Here you can take an extensive break and let the highlights in the park, such as the falconry, the palm garden…
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- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate02:2224.7 mi10.4 mph400 ft450 ftFerry
At the start of the third stage, you drive comfortably through Dessau and can make stops along the way at Georgium Castle and the Bauhaus master houses. Then you make a short detour to the banks of the Elbe and then cycle past the Kühnauer See to Aken, where you cross the Elbe by ferry.
You cycle through…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate03:0031.7 mi10.6 mph375 ft350 ft
From Barby you can either take the ferry back to the other side of the Elbe or take the Elbe bridge north of Barby.
Through the wonderful nature of small forest areas and the wide Elbe meadows you drive towards Dornburg. After a scenic dangle along the Dornburg Alte Elbe, you follow the happy loops of…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate02:0119.4 mi9.6 mph225 ft275 ftFerry
After you have left beautiful Magdeburg, you cycle long distances directly along the banks of the Elbe to Hohenwarthe. Here you not only completed half of the stage, but also about half of your bike tour on the Elberadweg through Saxony-Anhalt.
In Hohenwarthe you will find various places to stop for refreshments…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:2125.3 mi10.7 mph300 ft300 ft
From Rogätz the Elberadweg leads you through the rural Altmark, where you can enjoy a lot of nature. You cycle along the Elbe through enchanted forest and wonderfully wide meadows. You can always let your eyes wander across the lush meadows to the water.
On the way there are cozy resting places on the…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate03:3334.3 mi9.7 mph425 ft500 ftFerry
At the gates of Tangermünde you can expect the magical Elbe meadows, over which you can let your gaze wander far into the distance. Passing Storkau Castle and along a very well-developed cycle path, you come to Arneburg, where you can enjoy an unforgettable view of the Elbe and its meadows from a viewing…
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:1924.3 mi10.5 mph350 ft375 ft
After you have left the island town of Havelberg, you follow the course of the Havel through small towns, vast fields and picturesque forests to the mouth of the Elbe. Here you can take an extensive look at the now very wide river and the wonderfully natural banks.
Then you cycle across the border to…
- Intermediate bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Intermediate01:5016.2 mi8.8 mph125 ft125 ft
After you have spent the night in Wittenberge in Brandenburg, you cross the Elbe on a railway bridge at the start of the last stage and return to Saxony-Anhalt. As you cross the river you will enjoy fascinating views of the beautiful Elbe landscape.
Through beautiful nature it goes a little away from…
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Collection Stats
- Tours9
- Distance227 mi
- Duration22:14 h
- Elevation2,825 ft3,050 ft
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