A get-away on the Elbe
If you want a short get-away to feel a fresh wind in your hair, the Elberadweg is perfect for you. The pedalling will do you the world of good. Being outside in nature makes sure that the stress of everyday life is far behind.
Many places along the Elbe are easily accessed by rail, so you can begin your short cycling holiday or long weekend from a range of different cities.
Indulge in relaxation as you pedal in peace and quiet through one to three stages of the Elberadweg before taking a train, bus or shuttle back.
What about your bike? You can either bring yours with you or hire one.
Breathe deep and set off
- Berlin–Lutherstadt Wittenberg: ca. 40 min (ICE)
- Brandenburg–Burg (Magdeburg): ca. 35 min (RE)
- Braunschweig–Magdeburg: ca. 45 min (IC)
- Bremen–Hamburg: ca. 55 min (IC)
- Bremerhaven–Cuxhaven: ca. 45 min (RB)
- Chemnitz–Dresden: ca. 1 h (RB)
- Chemnitz–Riesa: ca. 1 h (RB)
- Halle/Saale–Dessau: ca. 45 min (IC/RB)
- Halle/Saale–Schönebeck (Elbe): ca. 55 min (RB)
- Hannover–Magdeburg: ca. 1:15 h (IC)
- Kiel–Hamburg: ca. 1:15 h (RE)
- Leipzig–Lutherstadt Wittenberg: ca. 30 min (ICE)
- Leipzig–Riesa: ca. 45 min (RB)
- Lübeck–Hamburg: ca. 45 min (RE)
- Potsdam–Burg (Magdeburg): ca. 55 min (RE)
- Schwerin–Boizenburg (Elbe): ca. 40 min (RE)
- Wolfsburg–Magdeburg: ca. 1 h (RE)
From Hamburg to Cuxhaven
This roughly 130 kilometre section is ideal for a short holiday on the Elbe. You cross the largest fruit growing area in Northern Europe, the ‘Altes Land’ - a special sight at harvest time or in spring when the trees are blossoming. The 1000-year-old Hanseatic city of Stade with its tranquil town centre is definitely worth a stop-off. The cycle path leads you through Kehdinger Land and along dikes straight to the North Sea and the Wattenmeer National Park.
Dem Alltag schnell adé sagen
- ICE Berlin–Hamburg: ca. 1:45 h
- IC Hannover–Hamburg: ca. 1:30 h
- Bremen–Hamburg: ca. 55 min
- Cuxhaven–Hamburg: ca. 1:45 h
From the Elbe Sandstone Mountains to Meißen
A great combination of nature and culture is offered on the approx. 80 kilometre section between Bad Schandau and Meißen. The rocky landscape of Saxon Switzerland is impressive, and the Elbe floodplains accompany the river all the way into the centre of Dresden. Further north west, the river and cycle route are flanked by vineyards.
Out on the Elberadweg in no time
- EC from Berlin to Bad Schandau: approx. 2.5 hours
- ICE/IC from Leipzig to Dresden: approx. 1 hour
- Coach from Berlin to Dresden: approx. 2 hours including bicycle transport
- The S-Bahn train travels between Schmilka and Meißen every 30 minutes. You can take your bicycle on the train.
Travelling from Tangermünde to Magdeburg
The route from Arneburg past Tangermünde to Magdeburg is ideal for a short trip along the middle of the Elbe. Stendal is perfect for arriving by train. The ‘Altmarkrundkurs’ route takes you along the Elbe to Arneburg upstream towards the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt. The highlight of the tour is Tangermünde and the impressive Magdeburg water crossing.
From Prague to Bad Schandau
It’s only around 150 kilometres from Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland to Prague. From the Vltava to the Elbe: this stretch is perfect for a long weekend. If you haven’t been to Prague before, you should definitely plan in a day for a visit.
Bike hire made easy
The Elbe-Rad-Touristik tourism association can provide you with a rental bike at a location agreed on in advance and have it picked up from your final stop.
Most bicycle rental companies require that you drop off the bicycle at the same shop where you picked it up - this is great if you’re planning a cycling holiday exploring several routes from one location. Or you can use one of the shuttles or transport services.