Prague to Dresden: Elbe Cycle Path

8 Days & 7 Nights 5 Read 4 reviews
  • Enjoy largely flat riverside cycling from the Czech Republic to Germany
  • Explore historic Prague with its famous castle, museums, art galleries and bridges
  • Sip a cold beer as you admire the golden sandstone cliffs of the Saxon Switzerland National Park
  • Cliff-top castles, cobbled streets and wine cellars abound in charming towns
  • Discover the delights of Dresden; the Zwinger Palace and Frauenkirche Cathedral
Pedal from historic Prague in the Czech Republic to the beautiful city of Dresden in Germany, the Germany Cyclists’ Federation have crowned this route Germany’s Top Cycle Path for 12 years in a row — and with good reason! Cycle beneath green mountains, through lush meadows and vineyards, and in the shadow of impressive sandstone massifs. Stay in riverside towns filled with cliff-top castles, vineyards and charming architecture. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage City of Prague, discover its Romanesque chapels and cellars, Gothic cathedrals, Baroque palaces and gardens, and delightful Art Nouveau architecture, plus a myriad of museums and art galleries. Discover Dresden, the ‘Florence of the Elbe’, you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the spectacular nature of German Bohemia and the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
This tour offers easy cycling on flat paths along the River Elbe between two delightful European cities—what more could you want?! This trip is ideal for leisure cyclists, combining city culture with riverscapes, lovely historic towns and the stunning sandstone cliffs of Saxon Switzerland.

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate.

Experience & Fitness

The first day has a small ascent, otherwise the route is flat. Daily cycling distances are between approx. 21-55km, which is easily manageable if you are a regular cyclist. The cycle path in the Czech Republic frequently follows unpaved field roads or tracks (some of which have a gravel surface), especially along the Vltava River, or along country roads with light to moderate traffic.  Well developed paths can be found between Litomerice and the German border. Once in Saxony the route follows quiet country roads, but mostly runs along even, paved bicycle paths.

Accommodations

The accommodation on this cycling trip consists of 3-star and some 3-star superior hotels. All offer a warm welcome to cyclists, and comfortable en suite rooms.

Single Rooms & Solo Cyclists

Single rooms are available although a supplement is payable. This trip is available to solo cyclists and is perfect as the route is popular so there are plenty of people to chat with every day.

Included
  • 7 Nights accommodation in hand-picked accommodations
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers
  • Information pack, guidebook and route information
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Travel to Prague / from Dresden
  • Bike hire
  • Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance (required)
Extras
  • Additional nights at the start or end of the holiday
  • Bike hire
  • Onward travel transfer from Dresden to Prague

When To Go

This tour is available to start on any day of the week between the beginning of April to the end of October. Please note we require the booking at least 14 days prior to your chosen start date for this trip.

Getting to the Start

By Air - There are plenty of flights from across Europe with scheduled and low-cost carriers into Prague Airport. Then take the Metro (18-24 mins) or Airport Express bus (35 mins) to the main train station.

Getting from the End

By Air - There are direct flights from Dresden Airport to London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Munich. Take an S-Bahn train from the city centre to the airport; the journey is just 12-20 mins. Direct train services to Berlin are also available; approx. 2h10.

By Rail - Both Prague and Dresden are well-connected by rail within Europe, see Deutsche Bahn for train timetables and fares. 

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to 2 x bags (each of up to 20kg) per person.

General Information

All bike tours are unescorted. The mileages and approximations are distances of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen and proper sport shoes. Travel to and from the start/end of your cycle is not included in the tour price and must be arranged on your own.

Equipment

We can arrange bike hire as an optional extra. You can rent comfortable bicycles for your tour along the Elbe Cycle Path. Choose between men’s and women’s bikes in different heights and between 7-gears (with backpedal-brake) and 24-gears (without backpedal-brake). We will need to know your height if you are hiring a bike through us.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Prague Day 2 Explore Prague Day 3 Cycle to Melnik 34.5 miles / 55 km Day 4 Cycle to Litomerice 27.5 miles / 44 km Day 5 Cycle to Decin 32 miles / 51 km Day 6 Cycle to Bad Schandau 13 miles / 21 km Day 7 Cycle to Dresden 25 miles / 40 km Day 8 Depart Dresden

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