Cycling Thread - Europe by bicycle, one route at a time

[simonthread]

Hi everyone! I'm Simon, passionate about cycling tourism and exploring Europe's best cycle routes. I travel by bicycle, take photos and share tips and stories from our trips. I pay a lot of attention to the “technical” side of cycling tourism - safe infrastructure, bike-friendly trains, networks of cyclist-friendly places, etc.

I share our journeys on my website Cycling Thread, but - if you don't mind - I'd also love to post them here. Each trip I'll sum up in a single post in this thread, with notes on riding conditions, interesting sights and tips on getting there. And of course, there will be photos

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To start, a bit of a classic - our May ride along Germany's favourite cycle route, the Elbe Cycle Route (Elberadweg), from Dresden to Magdeburg.

This section of the Elberadweg is a great example of how comfortable long-distance cycling can be when a route is well planned. Most of the time you ride on smooth asphalt bike paths close to the riverbank, with open views of meadows and the slow-moving Elbe. In towns, the route follows riverside promenades or traffic-calmed streets, making even the short on-road stretches feel safe. Right from the start, between Dresden and Meissen, it shows the mix of surfaces you'll encounter along the way: mostly top-quality tarmac, but also stretches of well-packed gravel, short cobblestone passages mostly in historic town centres, and, in the Elbe's floodplain areas, solid concrete tracks.

Navigation is simple - the Elberadweg signage is consistent and visible. Even without a GPS, you can follow the route with confidence. The terrain is almost completely flat, which makes the ride ideal for families and anyone looking for a relaxed pace. Occasional ferry crossings add variety, bridges over the Elbe make it easy to switch between the north and south banks depending on the scenery or attractions you want to visit.

Starting in Dresden means beginning your ride in one of Germany's most beautiful river cities. The Elbe runs right through the centre, with the cycle path passing just below the terraces of the Old Town. From here you can easily admire the Frauenkirche, the Zwinger Palace, the Semper Opera House and the baroque facades that make Dresden so distinctive. The route quickly leaves the center of the city, but the opening kilometres are a treat - wide riverside paths, lively cafés and constant views of Dresden's skyline with its church domes and spires.

After Dresden, the first big stop is Meissen - famous for its porcelain, but equally impressive for its old town with steep cobbled streets, colourful houses and the Albrechtsburg Castle rising above the river. The cycle path runs right along the waterfront, so it's easy to lock up your bike and explore on foot. Beyond Meissen, the route passes quiet farmland and small villages, occasionally stepping into riverside forests. You'll ride through Riesa, a practical spot for a break, and then on to Torgau, where Renaissance facades line the market square and history feels close at hand. It's here, in 1945, that American and Soviet forces met at the Elbe, a moment marked by a riverside memorial. Between these larger towns are countless smaller places with ferry landings, beer gardens and shaded benches - perfect for slowing down and enjoying the Elbe's calm rhythm.

From Torgau, the route runs through open fields and quiet riverside paths before reaching Lutherstadt Wittenberg, known as the birthplace of the Reformation. The old town is small and easy to explore, with the Castle Church where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses and a lively market square.

Both Dresden and Magdeburg are well served by Germany's regional trains, making it easy to start or finish the ride without complicated planning. Trains on this route usually have dedicated bike spaces - just remember to buy a separate bicycle ticket. If you'd like to shorten the journey, there are several towns along the way, such as Riesa, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, and Dessau, with direct train connections to major cities. Services are frequent, and bike reservations are generally not required on regional trains, so you can adjust your plans on the go depending on the weather and your pace.

It's worth picking up the free Elberadweg roadbook - a compact cycling atlas designed for the route. It fits perfectly in a handlebar map holder and includes clear maps, tips and cyclist-friendly places. The maps show both riverbanks, distances, nearby routes and key services along the way - one of those excellent, cyclist-friendly touches that show how well-developed cycling tourism is along the Elbe.

A classic can still be exciting - the Elbe Cycle Route from Dresden to Magdeburg is an attractive ride that proves it. If you're planning a cycling trip in Central Europe, this route definitely deserves a place on your itinerary

You'll find the full report on our website in the Elbe Cycle Route story.

See you on the next ride?

S.

 

[steveindenmark]

I like this. It really helps to plan your own journey if someone has already ridden the route. You can spend time finding points of interest that they did not see and add it to the route for the next person.

 

[simonthread]

I'm always curious about the things I've missed Or the ones someone swears are amazing, but I just thought "boring"

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Which makes a nice lead-in to my next post here - our latest article, published today, about the Carinthian Lake Loop.

Let's start with the places, since that's what we have just been talking about My favourite section was before and in Sankt Veit an der Glan, a new part of the Loop that was added in the past year. In just a few kilometres you get a fairytale castle - Hochosterwitz, a beautiful vineyard Taggenbrunn and the very pleasant town of Sankt Veit.

Before the trip I read about the town hall in Sankt Veit and its beautiful interior hall. And when I arrived not only the town hall was open (Saturday!), but I walked straight into a rehearsal of a local men’s choir singing traditional Carinthian songs.

That short stretch - think about an hour of riding with sightseeing - looked like this:

The rest of the route may not have quite such spectacular spots, but it still passes through plenty of pleasant towns and villages that make for great overnight stops or morning starts - Villach, Klagenfurt, Millstatt, Ferlach, Hermagor...

One of the main attractions of the Carinthian Lake Loop is the scenery: alpine valleys, long view corridors from bridges over rivers and the frequent crossings from one side to the other. For me, the prettiest was the Gail Valley:

I also wrote quite a bit about the boat trip across Lake Weißensee - as that's how the route ran in its original version. And I still think it is the best option. After a long climb, you can relax, have a drink and your bike travels in a specially prepared space - on a boat

And of course, you can't write about the Carinthian Lake Loop without mentioning the section along the Drava, shared with the Drava Cycle Route (Drauradweg). For me it is one of the most beautiful cycling paths in Europe. I've ridden it three times, each in different weather - I've loved it every single time.

(this year in the rainy weather, together with the participants of a cycling rally)

More about the Carinthian Lake Loop is on our site.

S.

 

[simonthread]

Finally, a quick note on something I often pay attention to - cyclist-friendly trains.

One good option there is the long-distance RailJet, a comfortable ÖBB train, though its bike compartment is a bit tight. Another is the local S-Bahn, with a spacious, well-designed area for bikes. And then there's the Micotra - a twice-daily train from Villach to Udine serving the Alpe-Adria route. All of them are comfortable enough to make you feel good with your bike.

S.