Elbe Cycle Path
Centre-based cycle tours
Saxon Switzerland
Circular walking tours
Sportive walking tours
Lößnitzgrundbahn: From Radebeul East to Radeburg
East of Dresden, the unmistakable puffing can be heard time and again when the Lößnitzgrundbahn makes its way through the Lößnitzgrund. The starting station of the Lößnitzdackel ("Wiener Dog of Lößnitz"), as the locals like to call the small train, is Radebeul. Enjoy the unique view of the vineyards of Radebeul and the traditional Hoflößnitz winery on the ride to Radeburg, before diving into the forest of the Lößnitz Valley. Via Friedewald and the famous village of Moritzburg, where the former hunting lodge of Augustus the Strong should definitely be visited, you will pass through various smaller villages to Radeburg, the terminus of the Lößnitzgrundbahn.
The construction of the Lößnitzgrundbahn was decided in 1879. Just five years later, the narrow-gauge railroad was also inaugurated. The narrow-gauge railroad runs on the 16.55 kilometers over 19 bridges and through numerous picturesque villages and dreamy forest areas. A ride on the Lößnitzgrundbahn is worthwhile at any time of year, but a trip through the snow-covered winter forest is particularly idyllic.
Weißeritztalbahn: From Freital Hainsberg to Kurort Kipsdorf
The Weißeritztalbahn is one of the oldest narrow-gauge railroads in Saxony that's still in public operation. Since 1882, its route through the idyllic Weißeritztal valley and the picturesque eastern Erzgebirge mountains has been one of the most beautiful railroad lines in Europe.
Close to Dresden, the capital of Saxony, lies Freital, the starting point of the Weißeritztalbahn. From here, the railroad winds its way across the wildly romantic "Rabenauer Grund", past Rabenau and Spechtritz. The landscape in the eastern Erzgebirge is varied, again and again the route leads through mystical forest sections. Via Malter, along the dam and through the heathland of Dippoldiswalde, Dippoldiswalde is soon reached. Since June 2017, the line has been running again to the regular destination station of the idyllic small railroad: Kurort Kipsdorf.
The Weißeritztalbahn invites you on 26 kilometers of nostalgic trips through the Osterzgebirge and is an ideal feeder to the beautiful cycling and hiking areas of the Dresden area.
Fichtelbergbahn: Form Cranzahl to Oberwiesenthal
The Fichtelbergbahn takes you to the highest town in Germany, the tranquil spa town of Oberwiesenthal. The idyllic journey begins directly at the Cranzahl gauge change station. From here, the narrow-gauge railroad winds its way slightly uphill towards Sehmatal. Then it continues to the picturesque village of Neudorf, which has become famous for the production of incense. Via Kretscham-Rothensehma and Unterwiesenthal, the Fichtelbergbahn puffs its way. At the latest when the narrow-gauge railroad then passes over the 110-meter-long and 23-meter-high Hüttenbach viaduct shortly before Oberwiesenthal, the steam train ride becomes a special experience!
Already around 1870 there were first considerations to build a railroad connection to the Fichtelberg. 24 years later the building permit was granted and already in 1897 the railroad operation could be started. Since then, the little train climbs the 17.35 kilometers to the Fichtelberg every day and transports hikers, winter sports enthusiasts and vacationers to the spa town of Oberwiesenthal.
Narrow-gauge railroad of Zittau: From Zittau to spa town Oybin / Kurort Jonsdorf
Since 1890, the Zittau narrow-gauge railroad has been running daily between the city of Zittau and the tranquil spa towns of Jonsdorf and Oybin. The "train without any hurry", as locals affectionately call the Zittau Railway, starts directly at Zittau's main station. Via Olbersdorf it goes to Bertsdorf station, where you can decide whether the journey should go to the spa town of Jonsdorf or to the spa town of Oybin.
Both places are only 6 kilometers apart, so a hike from one to the other is a very good occasion to get to know both sections of the Bimmelbahn. Enjoy a nostalgic ride in the lovingly restored vehicles in the beautiful Zittau surroundings!
Döllnitzbahn: From Oschatz to Kemmlitz/ Glossen
The Döllnitzbahn has been connecting the rural surroundings of Leipzig to the railroad network since 1885. The beautiful narrow-gauge railroad, that operates along the small river Döllnitz, enchants its guests with a charming route past many sights. The Döllnitzbahn starts in Oschatz and leads through a picturesque landscape to Mügeln, where a visit to the former largest narrow-gauge railway station is recommended. The end of the line is Glossen. Here you can visit the light railway display. Hiking enthusiasts appreciate the graceful nature and landscape of the fruit country and like to use the narrow-gauge railroad to reach their hiking destination.
Not only the landscape through which the Döllnitzbahn makes its way is impressive. Its history is also remarkable, as the Döllnitzbahn looks back on a very long tradition of transporting mining goods by narrow-gauge railroad. Kaolin is still mined around Mügeln and Kemmlitz today. Nostalgia and railroad lovers should not miss a ride on this narrow-gauge railroad.
Forest Railway Muskau
The Muskau Forest Railway (WEM) is a Saxon narrow-gauge railroad with a gauge of 600 mm. It was once built in 1895 by decision of Count Hermann to develop the forests, raw materials and the emerging industry around Muskau and Weißwasser as a horse-drawn railroad. The first two steam locomotives were purchased in the same year. Today, the museum railroad is considered the largest in Germany - in 600 mm gauge.
The route from Bad Muskau via Weißwasser to Kromlau is particularly scenic, as the railroad connects two magnificent landscape parks. Both diesel and steam locomotives are used in public service. On selected days, it is possible to travel along the so-called clay railroad on a special train. Then the special train with a historic diesel locomotive travels from the station Weißwasser-Teichstraße to the terminal station Schwerer Berg. The three-hour round trip leads through the Muskauer Faltenbogen Geopark and past the Nochten open pit mine.
