Experience Region Dresden Bike Route 3: In the footsteps of famous poets, painters and musicians Route length: 64 km Profile: moderate, gradual ascent from the Elbe valley Starting point: Dresden-Neustadt (Elbe Cycle Route, near Augustus Bridge)
Route 3 branches off from the Elbe Cycle Route on the Neustadt side in Dresden city center and passes the Golden Rider to Albertplatz. Following in the footsteps of famous poets, painters and musicians, a visit to the Museum of Dresden Romanticism or the Erich Kästner Museum is worthwhile on this section. The author born in Dresden in 1899 wrote many well-known children's books, such as "Emil and the Detectives" or "The Flying Classroom."
From Albertplatz, the route runs through the trendy district of Outer Neustadt into the Dresden Heath and the Prießnitz valley. There is a left detour to the former Klotzsche forest pool, where a climbing forest is now located on the premises. The route follows the stream and crosses historic stone bridges to the Heath Mill. After leaving the Dresden Heath, the route follows the cycle path on the track of the former Weißig–Dürrröhrsdorf railway line, which existed from 1906 to 1951. In Schönfeld, you can take a detour to the Renaissance castle, which was built in the 16th century on the site of a medieval water castle. Since 2005, it has presented itself as a magic castle with events and exhibitions. Continuing on the old railway embankment, you reach Wünschendorf, where you have a beautiful view over the Elbe valley between Pirna and Dresden at the town’s exit.
In Porschendorf, you leave the former railway track and ride to Mühlsdorf. Here, a descent into the Liebethal valley to the Richard Wagner Monument is possible. With a total height of 12.50 meters, it is the largest Wagner monument in the world and depicts the composer as a Grail knight. Following the route, you reach the Pirna district of Graupa. In 2013, a new multimedia permanent exhibition on Richard Wagner's life and work was opened in the hunting lodge there.
Passing the Pirna-Copitz natural lake, you soon reach the Elbe Cycle Route and ride to Dresden-Pillnitz. Originally a small Elbe fishermen and farming village, Augustus the Strong had it rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century as a summer residence for the Saxon court. You have the option to either walk through Pillnitz Castle and park or ride around the facility. Slightly off the route is the Carl Maria von Weber Museum. The composer rented a vintner's house here in the summer months of the early 19th century and composed parts of "Der Freischütz", "Oberon" and the opera "Euryanthe" here.
Passing the Maria am Wasser boatmen's church, you reach the Loschwitz district on the Elbe Cycle Route with its suspension and funicular railway, the Leonhardi Museum and the Loschwitz Elbe bridge. Finally, on the Körnerweg, you ride below vineyards and the three Elbe castles Eckberg Castle, Lingner Castle and Albrechtsberg Castle back to the starting point.
Note: You can purchase the brochure "Cycling & Discovering in the Experience Region Dresden" with further information at the town halls in the experience region.
www.erlebnisregion-dresden.de
