The Elbe from Dresden to Magdeburg

Level 2/5

Easy to moderate

30 to 78km of cycling per day. There are no particular technical difficulties as you follow the river. The route mainly follows cycle paths, greenways or minor roads, with little elevation gain. One stage of 68km between Torgau and Wittenberg can be split into two by stopping in Pretzsch (extra night), and another of 78km can be shortened by 26km by taking the train to Barby.

You carry only a small bag with your picnic lunch and the things you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting at your hotel in the evening: it is transported by the hotelier or by taxi. Maximum weight: 20 kg. We recommend carrying a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare, unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, can sometimes delay luggage delivery. Luggage may arrive as late as 18:00.

8 days / 7 nights; 6 days of cycling or
9 days / 8 nights; 7 days of cycling: stage 5, from Torgau to Wittenberg (75km), is split into 2 (overnight stay in Pretzsch).

This is a self-guided holiday, with no guide accompanying you. You will receive a comprehensive travel pack (1 per room), including a route guide with maps, a list of accommodation and vouchers, among other items. Depending on the arrangements, you will receive your pack before departure or collect it at your first accommodation. Your practical travel documents (vouchers, tickets, etc.) will be waiting for you at your hotel. There is no meeting with a local representative on arrival.

Bookings are possible for 2 people or more; solo travellers can also book, but a single room supplement applies.

Hotel accommodation in rooms for two with a bathroom. Single rooms can be booked for a supplement.

Category A: 3* and 4* hotels (or equivalent), conveniently located in the city centre

Category B: 3* hotels (or equivalent) and guesthouses

Breakfast included. Lunches and dinners are not included. You will have no difficulty finding places to eat along the way.

Please note! People in Germany often eat dinner early. Be sure to keep to restaurant serving hours.

Day 1 in the afternoon in Dresden

Day 8 after breakfast in Magdeburg.

Extend your stay
You can add an extra night before or after your cycling holiday. For example, finish with a journey from Magdeburg to Hamburg (we book your train ticket, approximately 35 €) and spend a day in Hamburg before heading home!

By train

Visit the SNCF website www.oui.sncf or the German railways website www.bahn.de/fr
Approximately 8 hours 35 minutes by TGV, with 1 change in Frankfurt (or 2 depending on your departure time).

For journeys on regional trains and public transport in Germany, consider the Deutschland Ticket, which allows you to travel throughout Germany for 49€ per month. Detailed information here and book here.

By car

Check ViaMichelin
From Paris: approximately 10 hours' drive
From Lyon: approximately 11 hours' drive

Parking your car: you can park at the first hotel or nearby; parking charges are payable locally.

By plane

Dresden Airport

From Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse: connecting flights via Düsseldorf or Frankfurt.

Scheduled airlines: Lufthansa

Low-cost airlines: Eurowings

Prague Airport

Direct flights from Paris and several regional cities (Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Lille and Basel-Mulhouse)

Scheduled airlines: Air France or Czech Airlines

Low-cost airlines: Ryanair, Volotea, Transavia and easyJet.

From Prague, you can take the train to Dresden (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes).

From Dresden, Berlin Tegel Airport is 3 hours 15 minutes away by train (or as little as 2 hours 50 minutes, depending on the service), and there are regular low-cost flights to Berlin from Paris and other regional cities.

Please note: the travel information above is provided as a guide and is subject to change. Please check before departure.

If you would like to return to your starting point (to be booked when signing up):

• Daily train connections: journey time: 2 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours. Visit www.bahn.com/fr.
• Private transfer service (bus for 1 to 7 people) available every day. Quote on request.
• Alternatively, a shared transfer departs from Magdeburg every Sunday at 10 am.

For return transfers by bus, a trailer can carry your own bikes.

Bike hire

These are high-quality bikes (BBF or Kalkhoff), available in men’s and women’s models. The tyres (28 inches) should ensure a puncture-free trip. The bikes will be delivered to your hotel, and you must leave them at your final hotel (there is no in-person handover or collection). All bikes are equipped with:

• a waterproof pannier (10L),
• a handlebar map holder (1 per room),
• a lock
• and a repair kit.

Please note that helmets are compulsory for minors in the Czech Republic. For hygiene reasons, we do not provide helmets.

• Women’s step-through bikes for riders from 1,55m tall (other sizes available on request).
• Men’s bikes for riders from 1,70m tall (other sizes available on request).
• Step-through electric bikes (with coaster brakes) for riders from 1,60m to 1m90 tall (other sizes available on request).
• Rental bikes are available in various frame sizes.
• Children’s bikes and tandems are available on certain routes on request (please specify your height).

Hybrid bikes: 7-speed hybrid bikes with coaster brakes or 21-speed hybrid bikes with handlebar-operated brakes.

7-speed electric-assist bikes with coaster brakes

Men’s Bike

This bike is lightweight (20kg without the battery) and suitable for all-terrain riding. It is equipped with a powerful motor. You can reach speeds of up to 25km/h.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either along the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; you therefore swim at your own risk and remain responsible for your decision.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and in the snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As members of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector develop more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we are committed to:

• Transparency in our practices and pricing
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and make meaningful connections with others.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in environmental protection, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification scheme, recognises our concrete actions in support of responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in accordance with our sustainable development policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and small insects)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder and/or a handlebar smartphone mount (and a power bank)
• A water bottle

Please note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool garments have also become available; they perform very well, are comfortable to wear and have the advantage of not developing sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)!
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

Protection from sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain poncho or a “Gore-Tex” jacket

After exercise

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable trousers for walking
• A pair of shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running shoes for the evening
• Spare clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag
• Swimwear
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin”, gauze, disinfectant, arnica granules and aspirin for minor aches and injuries…

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40l backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier for your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; it will make it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.
• A bag for luggage transfers: a backpack or travel bag in good condition

Germany

Capital: Berlin

Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Bring your European Health Insurance Card, which you should request from your health insurance provider at least 15 days before departure. Health conditions are similar to those in France.

German National Tourist Office
21 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris
Tel. 0140200188, fax 0140201700

Dialling code from France: 0049

Time difference

No time difference from France. GMT +1.

The euro is used in Germany.