Section J approx. 92 km from Magdeburg to Dessau-Roßlau

For around 20 kilometres, the Elbe snakes through the city of Magdeburg, the city of Otto the Great and Otto von Guerick. The water between Magdeburg and Barby is salty - but not that of the Elbe. The saltwater comes from deep in the earth, making local salt banners rich as well as creating the German love of spas. Over the centuries, the salty white gold has defined the history of Schönebeck, a town that honours its salty past in many ways and even offers ‘salt tours’ for visitors. On its way to Dessau Roßlau, the Elberadweg travels through a natural marvel: the Mittelelbe Biosphere Reserve. In 1979, the Steckby-Lödderitz forest was Germany’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and is now the centre of the internationally protected Elbe Floodplain’, one of the last undeveloped floodplains in Central Europe.

Tip: Make the most of the World Heritage Card for the Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg World Heritage Region!

With this visitor card, available as a 24-hour or 3-day pass, you pay once and can experience 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites free of charge, as well as enjoy over 110 other attractions covering art, culture, nature and leisure. You can obtain the World Heritage Card, which includes a guidebook with all the necessary information, from local tourist information offices or order it online at www.welterbecard.de/en. There you will also find the digital World Heritage Card, which can be used immediately in the region.

• Magdeburg is a city of inventors and technicians, of academics and students. You are heartily invited to a rendezvous with unique culture, architecture and nature!
  
• In Pretzien, you will see the pinnacle of flood protection.
  
• Schönebeck’s historic district of Bad Salzelmen features a picturesque Old Town where the houses of salt miners once stood.
  
• Schönebecker Elbaue - a natural idyll and refreshing lake region in summer, bordering on the state capital of Magdeburg.
  
• Walternienburg - between historic castle grounds and countryside relaxation.
  
• The asparagus peeling world champion is crowned right here in Zerbst/Anhalt. Why not try your luck?
  
• The town of Akten (Elbe) - welcome to the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve.
  
• There are over 200 Barbie dolls at the Barbie museum in Barby.
  
• Historic small town set against a lovely rural backdrop.
  
• There’s lots to discover in the Bauhaus city of Dessau.