Bike Routes between Dresden and Leipzig
In the past years I have travelled per bike quite a few times between Dresden and Leipzig. Those ways were chosen based on street atlases and always turned out to bring me into close contact with fast, fuming, and loud hunks of mettal (cars). You can start on the Elbe Bike Path, but sooner or later you have to ride on the streets.
In the spring of 2000, I rode my $10 bike that I bought at a police auction in Freiburg caring a backpack from Leipzig to Dresden to hand in my application materials for the University of Dresden. That was my first larger tour, and I have no real documentaion. I think I took the B6 untill Meißen and then the Elbe Bikeway. The next day I rode the whole way back to Leipzig.
In April 2002 I rode with my then new Kreidler again to Leipzig. This time I took the Elbe to Riesa, and then rode over Oschatz and Grimma.
In my efforts to find the all around best bike route from Dresden to Leipzig I have recently tried out a few new routes, and will always be trying new ones!
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Bike Routes between Dresden and Leipzig |
| # | Route | Dist. [km] | Time [h] | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Oschatz-Würzen-Meißen-Elbe | 130?* | ?? | 0 |
| - | Grimma-Riesa-Elbe | 140? | 6? | 5 |
| 1 | Radweit.de Recomendation (Purple) | 134 | 6,0 | 7 |
| 2 | Freiberger Mulde (Red) | 144 | 8,0 | 9,5 |
| 3 | Anti-B6 (Green) | 139* | 6,6* | 8 |
| 4 | Elbe/Leipzig-Elbe-Path (Yellow) | 111** | 5,6** | 8 |
| 5 | Northern Arch (Yellow/Orange) | 167 | 7,8 | 6 |
| 6 | Wermsdorfer Forest (Green/Blue) | 131* | 5,4 | 9 |
April 25th, 2003
Generally following the recommendation of Radweit.de I rode over the following towns: Dresden (Löbtau), Radebeul, Meißen, Zehren, Lommatzsch, Seerhausen, Stauchitz,Stennschütz, Mügeln, Mutzschen, Nerchau, Trebsen, Altenhain, Ammelshain, Naunhof, Größpösna, Liebertwolkwitz, Wachau, Markleberg, Leipzig (Connewitz). This is the Purple path in the map above. The way to Meißen was of course along the Elbe Bike Path and was very nice. Aided by a nice tailwind I Took small steets and a couple field paths from Zehren to Naunhof. Somehow my map flew out of my pocket around Ammelshain, but thanks to a friendly gas station attendant in Naunhof, I found my to Leipzig. This last leg was, however, along some steets with higher traffic levels.
Rating: 7 out of 10
This way is definately better than taking the B6, but it still includes some unpleasant streets. It is pretty flat, with a couple hills after Meißen.
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Löbtau | Meißen | 25,7 | 60,0 | 25,7 |
| 2 | Meißen | Naunhof | 85,8 | 240 | 21,4 |
| 3 | Naunhof | Connewitz | 21,9 | 57,0 | 23,0 |
| Total | Löbtau | Connewitz | 133,5 | 357,1 | 22,4 |
| Driving Time=6,0h | Total Time=8,2h | ||||
Radebeul |
Meißen |
Bei Mügeln |
Bei Nerchau |
Bei Nerchau |
Ammelshain |
Liebertwolkwitz |
Lake Cospuden |
Lake Cospuden |
May 1st, 2003
This time I took the recomendation of Frank (from Frisbee) and rode over the following towns: Dresden (Löbtau), Freital, Tharandt, Kurort Hartha, Mohorn, Neu Kirchen, Nossen, Döbeln, Leisnig, Großbothen, Großbardau, Pomßen, Threna, Größpösna, Liebertwolkwitz, Wachau, Markleberg, Leipzig (Connewitz). This is the Red path in the map above. This tour was plagued with a constant west wind (30km/h!!!). After riding up the hill outside of Tharandt against this strong headwind I was already to give up. Luckily there is still no train connection from Tharandt to Dresden after the flood so I was forced to go on. It was worth it. The trip included some very beutiful terrain including such towns as Kurort Hartha. Once in Nossen, I took the Freiburger Mulde (a river) to Großbothen. The way was nice but some parts were hit pretty hard by the flood and some signs were missing (I think). The way I took to Markleberg also took me over the flat land through small villages with hardly any cars. The biggest problem was the wind, which made me struggle, but made the arrival more rewarding! I have put together a couple maps which shows the way along small streets. Let me know if you want them.
Rating: 9,5 out of 10
This is the best way yet! Somewhat hilly at the begining and not protected from strong winds, but very beautiful and away from the large streets.
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Löbtau | Nossen | 44,8 | 148,5 | 18,1 |
| 2 | Nossen | Leisnig | 44,1 | 154,5 | 17,1 |
| 3 | Leisnig | Connewitz | 54,6 | 180 | 18,2 |
| Total | Löbtau | Connewitz | 143,5 | 480 | 17,9 |
| Driving Time=8,0h | Total Time=10,0h | ||||
Freital |
bei Kurort Hartha |
Kurort Hartha |
Bei Kurort Hartha |
Nossen |
|
Bei Nossen |
Leisnig |
Windy Day! |
Großbothen |
Markleberg |
June 15th, 2003
As a part of my tour from Heidelberg, I tried ot a new route to Dresden, with the goal of avoidin the B6. I rode through: Leipzig (Connewitz), Probstheide, Holzhausen, Brandis, Polenz, Muldentalradweg, Würzen, Roitzsch, Körlitz, Dornreichenbach, Meltewitz, Schwarzer Kater, Dahlen, Lampertswalde, Liebesschütz, Clanzschwitz, Leckwitz, Strehla, Strehla Ferry, Riesa, Radebeul. This is the Green path in the map above. I rode through small villages to the Mule and then took that River to Würzen. I had to use the B6 for the few meters to get across the Mulde with a Bridge. It would have also been possible to have taken a ferry, which will avoid the B6 completely. Afterwards I stayed north of the B6 untill Strehla, where I took the ferry over the Elbe. Then the Elbe Bikeway to Radebeul. The streets between the villages were very nice and well paved. I saw many race bikes on the streets, and I definately had a chance to use my 3rd gear. Sadly enough I broke my axel on this tour. I could have made it to Radebeul faster, but I rode slowly after Riesa to try to keep my wheel in takt. There were also many bike jams along the bikeway on this pretty sunday.
Rating: 8 out of 10
This way is a little longer, but the streets travel fast and you spend more time on the Elbe Bikeway. The biggest advantage is that you do not have to travel along the busy B6!
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leipzig | Riesa | 89,0 | 252 | 21,2 |
| 2 | Riesa | Radebeul | 49,5 | 142 | 20,9 |
| Total | Leipzig | Radebeul | 139 | 394 | 21,1 |
| Driving Time=6,6h | Total Time=7,5h | ||||
October 30th, 2003
On my way to a Frisbee tournement to Leipzig, I decided to ride one last time this year to Leipzig. This time I took the Elbe-Radweg past Riesa and Strehla to Schirmenitz. From there I took the Leipzig-Elbe-Route. I really wanted to make it to Leipzig Connewitz, but being so late in the year, it got dark earlier than I thought, and I had to take the trainfrom Wurzen to Leipzig. It is hard to find information about the Leipzig.Elbe-Route on the Internet, so I will give the route here: Schirmenitz, Trepitz, Olganitz, Reudnitz, Zeuckritz, Schamannwitz, Ochsensaal, Frauenwalde, Kühnitzsch, Körlitz, Wurzen, Grubtz, Nepperwitz, Lübschutz, Machern, Brandis, Beucha, ALbrechtshain, Kleinpösna, Leipzig. The whole way is flat and easy riding except for some small slopes around Dahlen. This is, however, a part of the Route, which goes through the Dahlener Heide. It is especially pretty now, as the colors change on the trees. This route is, however, quite long.
Rating: 8 out of 10
This way is longer and doesn't travel very fast except for on the Elbe-Radweg, but it is pretty and avoids large streets!
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Löbtau | Meißen | 25,1 | 64 | 23,5 |
| 2 | Meißen | Riesa | 26,2 | 74 | 21,2 |
| 3 | Riesa | Schirmentiz | 15,8 | 51 | 18,7 |
| 4 | Schirmenitz | Wurzen | 44,3 | 134 | 19,8 |
| Total | Löbtau | Wurzen | 111,4 | 333 | 20,1 |
| Driving Time=5,6h | Total Time=7,3h | ||||
My Bike on the Elbe |
Osterich |
Dahlener Heide |
March 5th, 2004
There was another tournament in Leipzig, a Kaltimate, so I decided to make sure it was cold enough and kick off the bike season with a tour to Leipzig. Indeed the temperature was about 0°C when I left Dresden Löbtau in the morning. Because I had alot of time, I decided to take the Elbe Bike Path as far as I dared. The further I took it, the longer my trip would be, but the path is so nice to drive along. This time I took it to Torgau and then curved southwards taking nicely paved side roads to Eilenburg. From there, I thought I would leave the nice roads and take the Muldentalradweg a bit south towards Wurzen. This was a mistake! The path was often closed and I had to carry my bike over a smallcreek with slipery mudy banks. I also had to ride for long distances across muddy fields. By the time it got dark, I had finally made it to Taucha, and then entered Leipzig through Eilenburg. It should be noted, that the repairs to the Elbe Bike Path around Riesa are complete and you can now drive through with out a problem.
Rating: 6 out of 10
This way is very very long! It is however nice to avoid cars and doable in the presence of an east wind. The Rating would improve to an 8 or 9 if a better way between Eilenburg and Leipzig is taken.
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Löbtau | Meißen | 26,3 | 59,8 | 26,3 |
| 2 | Meißen | Strehla | 34,2 | 85,0 | 24,2 |
| 3 | Strehla | Schildau | 40,2 | 107,7 | 22,4 |
| 4 | Schildau | Eilenburg | 26,4 | 65,4 | 24,3 |
| 5 | Eilenburg | Leipzig | 40,0 | 146,9 | 16,3 |
| Total | Löbtau | Leipzig | 167,1 | 464,7 | 21,6 |
| Driving Time=7,8h | Total Time=9,0h | ||||
The manditory picture of Meißen |
August 7th, 2004
Usually I ride by bike to Leipzig for Frisbee Tournaments, but this year I will be already living in Leipzig for the yearly Leipzig Outdoor Tournament. That is why I had to find another reason to drive to Leipzig. I decided to participate in the Leipzig City Man Triathlon. What better way to arrive for a Triathlon, than whith your bike! I was lucky on this sunny saturday, because I had a very rare East-Wind, which explains the very fast time to Leipzig. I started in Radebeul and took the Elbe all the way to Riesa. Then I rode via Canitz to Oschatz. After that, the path was very nice. I rode via Lamopersdorf to Wermsdorf and then to Sachsendorf. This whole stage between Oschatz and Sachsendorf was on paved streets through the Wermsdorfer Forest, which was very nice and there where very few cars on the streets. I decided that I could also be a bit more advernturesome, so I turned left at the beginning of Sachsendorf and then imediately right on to an agricultural path towards Niechen (it is sign posted). Then I took a nice and familiar route along the streets: Trebsen, Altenhain, Ammelshain, Naundorf. At Naundorf, decided not to take the large busy street to Leipzig, rather I took a nice forest/field path starting in Erdmannshain toward Fuchshain. Then I took a medium sized road to Liebertwolkwitz and then through Meusdorf and Probstheide before turning left onto the Connewitzer Straße, whick eventually led to my new appartment in South Leipzig.
Rating: 9 out of 10
This route is quite direct and has a nice variation between nicely paved streets and forest/field paths. I had luck this time with the wind, and there weren't many autos along the way. Othwerwise it wouldn't have been so nice!
Tour Statistics
| Stage | Start | End | Distance [km] | Time [min] | Speed [km/h] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radebeulk | Canitz | 52,8 | 122,4 | 25,5 |
| 2 | Canitz | Trebsen | 41,0 | 105,6 | 23,3 |
| 3 | Trebsen | Leipzig | 36,9 | 95,8 | 23,1 |
| Total | Löbtau | Leipzig | 130,7 | 323,8 | 24,2 |
| Driving Time=5,4h | Total Time=6,5h | ||||
