45 km – along the Elbe

The weather was fine in the morning, just some cooler as the days before. After leaving Königstein the cycle path under crossed the railway, so the nice view to the Elbe disappeared. The next village was Kurort Rathen with the famous sandstone pillars called Bastei. Actually they are more impressive if you look from the top down as from The Valley upwards. Only one of the arches of the artificial bridge is visible from the river side. Then further in the next bend already approaching Pirna , the cycle path changes to the Elbe bank again. Some canoeists were moving through the water with similar speed as cyclists.

In Pirna I took the old stone Stadtbrücke to change to the east bank, that has more attractions then the left bank in this part.

First there were some small Elbe villages with an agricultural note, then Palace Pillnitz with a stairway to the Elbe.

Next are the water works for Dresden, where Elbe water is filtered and prepared as drinking water.

In Blasewitz I crossed the Elbe via the Blue Wonder Bridge, to have a better view to the Elbeschlösschen, three imposant mansions on the high bank with vineyards underneath one of them. Finally I reached the center of Dresden.

83 km along the Elbe

In order to leave Terezin one has to cross the fortress buildings. It was a military town also before the use as Ghetto and concentration camp.

Between the green of a Golf Ressort I reached the Elbe again and crossed to Litomerice, then following the right bank. It is interesting what fruits could be harvested below the railway. I saw hops, raisins, apples, elder berries, plums and much more.

I also crossed towns with nice names, but uninteresting buildings like Usti nad Labem.

In Decin a big palace is overlooking the valley and I made a short loop through the city. There were some interesting parts, but not inviting for a stay.

After some kilometers I passed the border to Germany. Only cyclists and pedestrians can pass here.

During the last part the weather changed to ‘there could be a thunderstorm’, but I had luck. Only after pitching my tent opposite to the Lilienstein some drops came down.

In Königstein I looked around and learned that a lot of restaurants, that existed originally, closed down. Also a lot of buildings are not in use anymore, maybe due to high water risks of the Elbe.