Full steam ahead – cycling through railway history around Dresden

Bike Touring Collection by Kristof

Tours

21:07 h

192 mi

7,925 ft

Is spring calling bringing with it a renewed ache for adventure? If you are itching to get back on your bike but are struggling to find inspiration for your next ride then I have something for you. In this Collection, I will unveil eight cycle paths around Dresden which will take you through hidden corners of Saxony. Following former railway lines, you’ll learn more about this historic city in the East of Germany.

In the mid-19th-century, the railway arrived in Saxony and before long an expansive network was built in the region. With the arrival of cars, however, it disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived from the 1940s. As railway lines are usually completely flat, they make ideal cycle paths once the tracks are removed. In Dresden, many of the old railway lines have been converted into cycle paths and more are being created. In this Collection, you’ll find well-known, paved cycle paths as well as hidden tracks through deep gorges and dense forests.

As you ride, you’ll spot clues from the railway’s history such as tunnels, converted train stations, railway museums, and signal boxes. Even if railway history doesn’t interest you, the routes will take you to beautiful corners in and around Dresden. Wide fields, dreamy hills, magnificent castles and charming towns will accompany your ride.

The start and end point of the routes can be reached by tram or train, meaning you can easily take your bike with you. You’ll find a suitable route for your fitness level as the distances vary from 10 to 40 miles (17 - 60 km). Some of the Tours are slightly more demanding with challenging climbs and segments along dirt tracks whilst others are perfect leisurely rides. There are exciting things to discover on every route like museums and castles so try to allow some extra time for exploring. Along some sections, you may even find a historic train still operating, but make sure you do your research in advance to see if it’s open. Now, nothing stands between you and your adventure in and around Dresden – full steam ahead!

P.S.: This Collection is dedicated to my fellow students from the Faculty of Transport at the University of Dresden.

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Durch das Schönfelder Hochland – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Easy
01:01
10.5 mi
10.4 mph
450 ft
450 ft
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Until the 1950s, you could take the tram from Dresden Neustadt to Weißig and change there to Dürrröhrsdorf. Since many railway lines were destroyed in the Second World War and the material was scarce, the decision was made to dismantle the tracks from Bühlau to Weißig and on to Dürrröhrsdorf.

A wonderful…
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An der ehemaligen Schwarzbachbahn – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Intermediate
02:20
22.2 mi
9.5 mph
850 ft
1,500 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
The road to Hohenstein was difficult for people and goods for a long time. That is why the railway had to be built in the 19th century. Originally the route from Dürrröhrsdorf should have been led through the Polenz Valley, but Prince Georg did not want "the romanticism of the Polenz Valley to be disturbed…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Entlang der Lößnitzgrundbahn – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Expert
02:37
23.1 mi
8.9 mph
700 ft
500 ft
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
At the end of the 19th century, the narrow-gauge railway to Radeburg was opened after decades of planning. After the decommissioning was often in the room, it is all the more gratifying that the “Loessnitz Dachshund” still breathes and steams between Radebeul and Radeburg. On this tour you always ride…
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Entlang der Windbergbahn – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Expert
02:22
21.8 mi
9.2 mph
1,150 ft
1,125 ft
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The Windbergbahn between Freital and Possendorf was opened in the middle of the 19th century to better develop the many coal mines. After a turbulent history, the museum railway has recently been running on a small section. Most of the route was converted into an excellent bike path and named after Guido…
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„Wilsdruffer Netz”: Von Freital nach Nossen – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Expert
02:45
25.2 mi
9.1 mph
1,200 ft
975 ft
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Shortly before the beginning of the 20th century, a network of narrow-gauge railways was built around Wilsdruff. After it was decommissioned in the 1970s, great bike paths emerged, on which you can explore the highlands around Wilsdruff excellently. On this tour you will get to know the route from Freital…
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„Wilsdruffer Netz”: Von Freital nach Meißen – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Expert
02:07
21.1 mi
10.0 mph
775 ft
950 ft
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Shortly before the beginning of the 20th century, a network of narrow-gauge railways was built around Wilsdruff. After it was decommissioned in the 1970s, great bike paths emerged, on which you can explore the highlands around Wilsdruff excellently. On this tour you will get to know the route from Freital…
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„Wilsdruffer Netz”: Von Meißen nach Döbeln – Bahnradwege in und um Dresden
Intermediate
03:31
29.7 mi
8.4 mph
1,250 ft
1,075 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Wilsdruffer narrow-gauge network was expanded to include the route from Wilsdruff via Meißen and Lommatzsch to Döbeln. This bike tour takes you from Meißen to Döbeln. The tour starts at the terminus of the S-Bahn in Meißen-Triebischtal. If you want to stroll…
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„Wilsdruffer Netz”: Von Frauenstein nach Nossen – Bahnradwege rund um Dresden
Expert
04:25
38.3 mi
8.7 mph
1,575 ft
2,475 ft
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
For this wonderful and extraordinary tour, you should best take the whole day. It is not always easy to drive due to the vertical meters and the forest paths, but you will discover rare treasures along the former narrow-gauge railway from Frauenstein to Nossen. You can also shorten the tour well and…
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