Pirna to Bad Schandau along the Elbe

From the park-and-ride by Pirna station the Elbe cycle path (Elberadweg) leaves the old town, which Canaletto painted in 1753 and 1754, and follows the left bank of the Elbe upstream into Saxon Switzerland. It passes Stadt Wehlen and Kurort Rathen across the river, below the sandstone rocks, then Königstein under its hilltop fortress, and ends at Bad Schandau station, across the river from the spa town.

It is 23.6 km (14.7 miles) one way with 12 m of climbing; allow about 1½ hours of riding. The grade is Easy. It is flat, on tarmac cycle paths and quiet riverside lanes.

In 2026 the path between Königstein and Kurort Rathen is diverted for 1.3 km along an old flood path that passes twice under the railway, where you must push; or take the S1 one stop. The cycle path's own site gives the end of the diversion as 30 November 2026. Ferries cross the Elbe at Pirna, Stadt Wehlen, Rathen, Königstein and Bad Schandau.

Parking at the P+R by Pirna station is free. The S1 runs back from Bad Schandau to Pirna; a bike ticket costs €2.40 for one zone or €7.50 for a day, and space for bikes is not guaranteed. Bad Schandau town is over the bridge or the ferry from the station.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.