River Elbe

[Brains]

Anyone done it ?

A few years back my wife and I did the Danube from Revensburg to Vienna B&B'ing with our own luggage.
I'd like to do something similar, so I'm looking for:
As close to 100% as I can get off roads with cars
Flat
Lots of places to stay (B&B's/hotels/hostles etc)
Lots of things to see on the way

The River Elbe seems to tick these boxes, not sure which section though as holiday tour companies (a good indicator of the best bits) seem to do Prague-Dresden, Dresden-Magdeburg and the lower sections closer to Hamburg

Are any of the other German rivers 'better' such as the upper Danube, Moselle, Rhine ?

As an aside we would like to fit Berlin into the trip if possible, even if that means a train trip at some point

 

[snorri]

It's a little difficult to say, as I don't know what you might like to see and how much time you have available.
The Mosel (as they call it in Germany) is certainly scenic, in a twisting valley with vinyards on each side, but the German section is not so long, from Koblenz to Trier.
The route on the upper Danube is quite hilly, and because the river is not so big carries little traffic which for me was a negative point, but I suppose it would be considered scenic.
The Rhine is possibly my favourite with lots of activity all the way from Rotterdam to Mainz, but some might find it too industrialised, although it meets your criteria of 100% off roads.
If you want to include Berlin, the Elbe is really your only practical choice. Regarding the Prague-Dresden section, the Czech portion of the route was a bit rough a few years ago, but a visit to Prague made up for the bad bits.
I cannot recall problems with motor traffic on any of the river routes you mention, these problems evaporate when you leave the UK.
You might like to consider cycling up the Elbe and back down the Spree which flows through Berlin.

 

[Brains]

Thinking of two weeks, so including a few days in Berlin about 7+ cycle days

If were to do the Elbe, Prague to Cuxhaven is 1,000km - which 300km section is the best in terms of geared to cycle tourists, things to see, places to go, good scenery

 

[Bodhbh]

I joined the cycle path at Hamburg and followed it down to Prague earlier this year. The path can be pretty rough in spots even on the German side. The landscape is very flat until just North of Dresden, some might find it a little dull. Around Dresden you hit wine country and the "Saxon Alps" and things become more scenic. I'd probably do the Dresden - Prague section if you wanted to fit the most "things to see" in a short stretch.

 

[Bodhbh]

Regarding the Prague-Dresden section, the Czech portion of the route was a bit rough a few years ago, but a visit to Prague made up for the bad bits.

There's also this interesting section about 10miles north of Prague.

 

[ComedyPilot]

I rode along the Ruhr, Eder, Fulda, Tauber, Woernitz, Lech and Rhine on my tour of Germany.

From my experience, the Ruhr was industrial to start with, but got better after Muelheim with lots of good paths, well signposted.

I rode along the Eder from the Stausee at Herzhausen to Gensungen. Nightmare, hilly and rough until Nieder-Werbe, then smooth and downhill from there on.

Joined the Fulda at Melsungen after replacing a broken front pannier rack (caused by Eder bike path) and follwed it south to Fulda. Well signposted and not too rough.

Rode along the Tauber from Tauberbischofheim to Woernitz - very nice and picturesque, Rothenburg OD Tauber is a must see walled medievel town,

Followed the Woernitz from Woernitz to Donauwoerth. Again a lovely river route to follow no complaints.

After Donauwoerth I rode along the Lech to Augsburg. Flat, wet, pretty uninspiring.

After a few days off in Oberstdorf I rode to Lake Constance and followed the Rhine to Arnhem.

I really liked the stretch to Basel - a bit built up at the lake but became countryside and quaint after Konstanz.

Not too keen on the Basel to Strasbourg part - open and windy (headwind).

Kehl to Phillipsburg was ok - I got 'kidnapped' by a group of drunk German dads celebrating Father's day (another story)

Phillipsburg to Wiesbaden was ok, bit windy and rough path near Mainz but ok.

Wiesbaden to Remagen was what cycle touring was designed for; hot, smooth, tailwinds, sculpted vineyard terraces, boats, ferries....bliss.

Remagen to Duesseldorf was ok to start, but got crowded on the path through Bonn and Koeln - cue dodging weekend warriors.

Duesseldorf to Arnhem was open, flat and (shhhhh) a bit boring - I rode round the Netherlands last year so had already done a lot of this part.

Hope that helps.

CP

 

[snorri]

There's also this interesting section about 10miles north of Prague.

On looking back at my tour diary, I did the Hamburg to Prague route in 2003 so the memories are fading, but I remember that bit!

 

[gary in derby]

from Berlin follow the river spree through to cottbus via spreewald. lots of lovely villages, my favourite is leipe but anywhere along the spree is stunning. then cut across to the elba. to my favourive city in Germany, Dresden. if y6ou go say hello from me.

 

[howlonghowfar]

Hi,

I’ve cycled many of Germany's cycle routes and of the river routes the Spree is my absolute favourite, it includes many gems unknown outside Germany and I don't just mean the local beer and gherkins.

As another member has already suggested start in either Dresden or Berlin and finish in the other city.

There are a number of notable places to stay at the source of the Spree - yes most of the way up the hill but well, well worth it.

Depending on time and inclination you could easily include side trips to the Czech republic and Poland. This area of the Czech republic is my favourite.

enjoy,
peter
howlonghowfar.org

 

[psmiffy]

On looking back at my tour diary, I did the Hamburg to Prague route in 2003 so the memories are fading, but I remember that bit!

Cycled along there in 2009 - very narrow, occasionaly rocky with a few tree roots - suitable for MTB - not good for a loaded bike - If you are bright enough you buy the bikeline guide - Elbe Prague to Cuxhaven - which shows an alternative route - the sign though is new

The Elbe below Magdeburg is a bit samey (although I glad that ive been and seen) - above is more interesting and Prague is not to be missed, Dresden is worth the visit, nice piece of gorge between Bad Schandau and Decin.

 

[Brains]

OK peeps, we have decided we are going to 'do' the Elbe.
Driving London/Harwich one night, sleep on the ferry and Hook of Holland/Magedeburg in one day.
We are going to start in Magdeburg and the head south to Dresden and to Decin (Czech rep) and then on to Berlin (maybe partially by train) and then back to Magedeburg for outward journey in reverse

What I'm after is a 'Car friendly' place in Magedeburg where I can leave the car for a couple of weeks in May, whilst we cycle.

So the ideal place would be a hotel, a B&B or even a campsite within striking range of the the Magedeburg main railway station which is not only cycle friendly where we can stay a couple of nights at the beginning and one night at the end with a couple of bike, but also leave the car.

Anyone any ideas ?

 

[snorri]

The Youth hostel is centrally located, I have stayed there with my bike.

http://www.jugendherberge.de/en/hostels/search/portrait/jh.jsp?IDJH=333

It might be an idea to 'phone them beforehand to see if they can help with the car parking.

Note you have to be a member of a hostel association affiliated to Hostelling International, perhaps you can join on arrival.

 

[Andy in Sig]

The Fulda route leading to the Weser (the Weser is formed by the junction of the Fulda and Werra at Hannoversche Münden) is largely unbumpy, very picturesque and has lots of nice old towns. You could follow it down to Bremen and then cut across to Hamburg.

Another lovely route is the Main from Bayreuth down to the Rhine at Mainz and then down to the Hook of Holland. An alternative to that is to go to Lake Constance (airport at Friedrichshafen), which is fed and drained by the Rhine and then follow the Rhine north.

The above options are each covered by only two of the relevant Bikeline guide books.

 

[TheDoctor]

I've never had a problem leaving a car at a hotel if I'm staying there at the start and end of a trip. Just ask them if it's OK - they always say 'Yes' IME.
You'd be best off in a small town or suburb rather than in a city centre, I expect.

 

[Fandango]

I am hoping to persuade my wife and kids to do some cycle touring this summer and as they are completely allergic to hills, cycling alongside rivers seems good as long as you start at the top end, they must surely go mainly downhill

I would prefer to use B&B's or small hotels rather than camping if possible but has anyone done one of the German river tours with a family? - kids are 13 and 16. We get away with family rooms staying in the UK but if we have to pay for two rooms in Germany I suspect this is going to be expensive. Do they have many family rooms? I quite like the sound of going to the Czech republic or Poland too, I imagine it is cheaper.