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In no other state are Unesco World Heritage Sites as close together as in Saxony-Anhalt: the Luther sites of Wittenberg and Eisleben, the Bauhaus in Dessau, the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, the Nebra Sky Disc in Halle and the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve are among them, as are buildings in Quedlinburg, Naumburg Cathedral and the Harz National and Nature Park. In Saxony-Anhalt, the D-Route 3/European Cycle Route R1 takes you through German history, through lush greenery and along blue rivers.
Cycling holidaymakers can cycle along Saxony-Anhalt's cycle path network on 18 long-distance cycle paths and around 5,000 km of regional and local routes. Medieval castles and churches line the routes. The state is easy to explore with children on family-friendly and flat routes. And if you need to catch your breath, simply take your bike on local transport free of charge - or stop off at one of the wineries in Saale-Unstrut. The wines that mature in Germany's northernmost wine-growing region are of high quality and a good reason to stop for a bite to eat.
To your Cycling holidays discover wild and romantic riverside paths, green meadows, riverside forests and extensive natural landscapes. Whether cycling along the "Blue Ribbon", following in the footsteps of the Sky Disc or travelling across regions Cycle paths - There is something for everyone in Saxony-Anhalt.
One of the most popular long-distance cycle paths is the Elbe cycle pathwhich celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020. The Elbe flows for over 300 kilometres through Saxony-Anhalt from Pretzsch in the south-east to Wahrenberg in the north of the state, accompanied by the Elbe Cycle Path. The well-developed and signposted route leads right through the unspoilt Elbe floodplain landscape of the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, which is part of the UNESCO Elbe River Landscape Biosphere Reserve. With a bit of luck, you can spot the local Elbe beaver there. Numerous species of fish and water birds also have their habitat on and in Germany's second-longest river.
Those interested in culture will find three UNESCO World Heritage Sites between Lutherstadt Wittenberg and Dessau-Roßlau: the Bauhaus and the Masters' Houses in Dessau, the Luther sites in Wittenberg and the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz. The Hanseatic towns of Havelberg and Tangermünde and the state capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg, are just as worthwhile as a short detour to the ring sanctuary of Pömmelte, the German Stonehenge.
In the south of Saxony-Anhalt, the Sky disc cycle path to the stops on the "Himmelswege" archaeological adventure route. These include the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle (Saale) with the original Nebra Sky Disc (UNESCO documentary heritage) and the "Nebra Ark" visitor centre near Wangen, where exciting stories are told about the history of the discovery and interpretation of the Sky Disc.
The Saale-Unstrut wine region can be explored on the Saale cycle path and the Unstrut cycle path. Vineyards and romantic castles line the route. Along the way, you can sample the delicious Saale-Unstrut wine directly from the winegrower.
On the Garden Kingdom Tour Prince Franz focusses on the art of gardening. Following the English model, landscape parks were created in the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom that are unrivalled in Europe. The Garden kingdom is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
According to myth, witches dance on the noses of visitors to the forest in the Harz Mountains and devils are up to mischief. So it's better to stay on your guard. Perhaps it is no coincidence that the landscape around the Brocken challenges sporty cyclists with its dense forests and many a sweat-inducing climb. The reward is the view of the collegiate church of St Servatius and the historic old town of Quedlinburg.
Information about the cycle paths in Saxony-Anhalt and a free app at www.naturfreude-erleben.de .
The Elbe cycle path Cycling along the "Blue Ribbon"
According to the ADFC, the Elbe Cycle Route is one of the most popular cycle routes in Germany. You can start the Elbe Cycle Path in Prague or Bohemia and then cover almost 1,000 kilometres to the mouth of the river in the North Sea. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Elbe Cycle Path runs for 337 kilometres east from Bad Schmiedeberg to just before Schnackenburg. The starting point of the Elbe Cycle Path is south of the town of Pretzsch and leads past the Düben Heath Nature Park. You then reach the Lutherstadt Wittenberg and cycle through the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom to the Bauhaus town of Dessau. Passing the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve and the mouth of the Saale near Barby, you reach Magdeburg. The route then leads to the Magdeburg waterway junction, cycling right next to the Elbe under the impressive trough bridge. The route then leads through the Altmark region with its rural charm and abundance of nature as well as through the former imperial residence town of Tangermünde. Past the mouth of the Havel and with a detour to the cathedral and island town of Havelberg, the route leads through unspoilt nature. Here, the Elbe cycle path leads through a section where the Elbe was a German-German border river for decades.
You can download or order a comprehensive Elbe cycle path handbook at www.elberadweg.de and digital tour information at www.naturfreude-erleben.de
Start/Finish: Pretzsch (Elbe)/Wittenberge
Arrival/departure by public transport: On-call bus from Kemberg to Pretzsch (Elbe) station, Bad Schmiedeberg, registration at least 1 hour before departure on 08000/366 910. www.insa.de
Special features
- Bed+Bike hosts along the way √
- Continuous signage √
- Signposted in both directions √
- Own route √
- Car-free √
- Bicycle rest areas √
- Connection options to other cycle paths √
Sights along the way
- Düben Heath Nature Park
- Lutherstadt Wittenberg
- Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom
- Wörlitz
- Bauhaus town of Dessau
- Schönebeck
- Auenhaus in the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve
- State capital Magdeburg
- Trough bridge
- The Altmark with its rural charm
- Imperial residence town of Tangermünde
- Havel estuary
- Cathedral and island town of Havelberg with the House of Rivers
Important dates for the 2020 cycling year
21-22 March 2020: 20th anniversary of the "Garden Dreams Initiative". The "Garden Dreams" kick off the anniversary season with the "Spring Awakening" festival in Wörlitz.
