Cycling holidays from Dresden to Hamburg

Detailed tour description

Day 1: Individual arrival in Dresden
You arrive in the Florence of the Elbe, Dresden, which is beautifully located along the Elbe valley. Whether the famous Zwinger, the Semper Opera or the Court Church – a tour of the former royal residence by bicycle will take you past many sites.

Tip: We recommend an extra night in Dresden for a day trip to the Saxon Switzerland. You will get back by local train to Dresden (approx. 45 km)

Day 2: Dresden – Strehla (approx. 66 km)
The first leg of the bike tour along the Elbe river cycle trail will take you through the beautiful meadows of the Elbe valley. From far away you can already see the landmark of the city of Meissen: the impressive castle hill with the cathedral and the Albrechtsburg castle. A visit to the world-famous Meissen porcelain factory is also a must. On this stage of your bike tour you pass picturesque wine villages before you get to the City of Sports Riesa. Here the popular noodle producer is at home and in the pasta museum you will learn about the rich pasta shape. Should you be on a weekday in Riesa, even a glance at the current production is possible.

Day 3: Strehla – Torgau (approx. 40 km)
On the way along the Elbe river cycle path you will be enjoying the enchanting rural atmosphere of the Elbe town of Strehla. You cycle tour continues to Torgau, a Renaissance town featuring Schloss Hartenfels and the palatial church which is known as the first Protestant church of Germany and which was dedicated by Martin Luther.

Day 4: Torgau – Lutherstadt Wittenberg (approx. 68 km)
First you will have a ride passing through the floodplains of the river Elbe until Pretzsch. Today you will be staying in Wittenberg, a town which became famous through Martin Luther. As the historic, spiritual and cultural centre of Europe, Wittenberg was influenced by such important historical figures as Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger. In 1996 the Luther memorials were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This bike tour can be shared by an extra night in Pretzsch (approx. 37 km/35 km). Price see extra nights (Category B).

Day 5: Lutherstadt Wittenberg – Dessau (approx. 37 km)
This leg will take you through the beautiful meadows of the Elbe and past the world-famous Woerlitzer Park and Gardens. The 100-hectare large park offers numerous attractions including islands, canals, temples and statues. With Dessau you will enter a town which played an important role for a new architecture style including a whole life philosophy occured in the 1920s, the so called "Bauhaus".

Day 6: Dessau – Magdeburg (approx. 78 - 88 km)
Between Barby and Magdeburg you will cycle across another biosphere reserve along the river Elbe giving home to lots of vulnerable species of birds. Magdeburg offers lots of rambling parkways where you can relax. Experience also the famous Cathedral and the Monastery.

Day 7: Magdeburg – Tangermünde (approx. 80 km)
Today you will pass the impressive and technical challenging construction of the waterway junction - a gigantic building project to conect the waterways of Hannover, Magdeburg and Berlin. Milestone of this cycling day will be the famous monastery of Jerichow. The Elbe river cycle path takes you further to Tangermünde. By walking through the town you will discover the traces of 1000 years of history. The most impressive building is the 24 meter high town hall with its opulent decorated front created in the 15th century.

Day 8: Tangermünde – Havelberg (approx. 50 km)
Today Elbe river cycle path takes you to Havelberg. Havelberg is another round village with half-timbered houses. Do not miss the Romanesque cathedral. 

Day 9: Havelberg – Wittenberge (approx. 38 km)
We recommend to make a break in the town Ruehstaedt. It is known for its big stork population. Every year in spring time about 70 storks turn back from their winter time overseas to live on roofs, pylons or towers. Wittenberge with its numerous towers can already be seen from a distance.

Day 10: Wittenberge – Hitzacker (approx. 78 km)
Recreative hours in untouched nature will define your cycling day. Only from time to time you will pass through dreamy villages.

Day 11: Hitzacker – Lauenburg (approx. 55 km)
You will pass through an unique landscape called "Wendland" which is characterized by a special form of settlement - the round villages. The landscape is flat and dominated by huge floodplains. They are a paradise for birds like storks, sea eagles or cranes. Lauenburg is an old skipper's town with a lot of beautiful restored half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th century.

Day 12: Lauenburg – Hamburg (approx. 55 km)
Most of the time you will cycle along the Elbe riverbanks. Before entering the metropole you will pass a calm area with small villages. You can see Hamburg already from far away. Do not miss the opportunity to take part in a roundtrip by boat. You will get an impression of Hamburg harbor seen from the water with its huge ocean liners and container terminals.

Day 13: Individual departure
Your bicycle holidays from Dresden to Hamburg are now over. If you wish to extend your cycle tour along the Elbe river cycle path with extra nights in Hamburg or other towns along the way, we will be pleased to arrange additional accommodation for you.

This cycle trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.

Services included

• 12 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star-standard
• 12 x continental breakfast
• Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation during your cycle tours
• GPS data on request
• 1 package with maps and information material per room (in English language)
• telephone-service-hotline during your cycling holidays

Bookable value-added services for the bike tour Dresden – Hamburg

Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package to personalize your cycling holidays from Dresden to Hamburg:

• Additional nights at every overnight location according to the tour description
• Rental bikes or electric bicycles for the duration of the tour (more about our rental bike service)
• FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)

Prices of these value-added services are detailed under the tab "Quotes" of this tour information.

Further advice on the cycling tour from Dresden to Hamburg

Please note that in certain cities along the Elbe Cycle Path compulsory city, tourist or occupancy taxes may be required to be paid. Unless otherwise indicated, those taxes are not included in our prices and have to be paid directly to the hotel.

This cycle trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.