Cycling the Elbe Valley from Prague to Dresden

Take time to discover Prague and its superb Baroque architecture by exploring the Old Town, where you can admire the Astronomical Clock. Stroll over the famous Charles Bridge, for breathtaking views of the Vltava River and the cityscape. Make your way to Prague Castle, the largest castle dating from this period, and don't miss St Vitus Cathedral and the Little Golden Street. Finish your day with a traditional Czech dinner in a local restaurant, accompanied by the famous Czech beer, and for dessert treat yourself to a Trdelník  (or Chimney cake) national speciality. Weather permitting, take an evening stroll along the river to enjoy the magical lights of Prague.

Today's stage follows a pleasant path to the heart of Bohemia's wine-growing region: the town of Mělník. You leave the centre of Prague easily by taking the cycle path along the Vltava river. Your mainly flat itinerary takes you along the river throughout the stage, although you will have to climb a fine ascent at Klecánky before descending back into the valley. Don't hesitate to make a little detour to see Nelahozeves castle and its Renaissance-style architecture, or stop off at the birthplace of composer Antonin Dvorak, now a museum. You'll then arrive in the historic town of Mělník, situated on a hilltop with a breathtaking view of the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers. This first stage is probably the most demanding, so we recommend you don't leave too late to make the most of the day.

This second day takes you to the country’s most fertile region, the Elbe Plains (Polabská nížina), nicknamed the Garden. Throughout the day you can see the Říp volcanic cone on the horizon, a hill where, according to legend, the Slavs arrived on Czech (Bohemian) soil. Take a break to watch local champions practising their rowing skills in the Račice sports complex. Stop at Roudnice, one of the oldest towns in the Czech Republic, and indulge in the local pastries in one of their numerous cafés. Continue on to the impressive 18th-century fortress of Terezín, which became a concentration camp during the Second World War and today bears witness to this dark period through its museum. You will end your day on a lighter note in Litoměřice, a charming town of pastel colours and Baroque architecture.

Today you pedal through the Czech Central Massif and enter the volcanic Central Bohemia region.  Although you'll be surrounded by lush green mountains, overlooked by several castle ruins, your route continues along the river and thus over mostly flat terrain. Steeper climbs will have to be conquered if you want to visit various sites such as the castle of Velké Březno or Střekov, with its lovely restaurant and a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. Or the recently renovated 19th-century villa Větruše, with its magnificent views and one of the best restaurants in the region, also accessible by cable car (bicycles accepted). Finally, you arrive in Děčín with a superb view of its castle perched on a rock and opposite it a cliff where via ferrata is practiced for the bravest! 

You leave Děčín and quickly reach the banks of the Elbe, this short stage allows you to take full advantage of the peace and quiet of the region and put the bike down for a while for a hike or a relaxing session at the Bad Schandau thermal baths. Don't miss Hřensko, a small border town in the heart of the Czech Switzerland National Park, where you'll need to take the ferry to the other side of the river. From here, it's a short hike (around 1 hour round trip) to the impressive Pravčice Gate, the largest natural sandstone bridge in Europe, and a magnificent panorama of the region. Don't hesitate to start early to avoid the crowds and take advantage of the cool morning air.  You cross the river again and finish a few kilometres further on in Germany in the charming town of Bad Schandau.

On this last stage, filled with historic sites, you'll cross from one bank to the other several times by bridge or ferry. Once again, you'll be able to see many historic sites perched high up, starting with the Königstein fortress. To get there, the most courageous can tackle a demanding climb.  In Kurort, we highly recommend crossing the river and hiking to the Bastei bridge, for a magnificent view of the Elbe and its sandstone massifs, and a visit to the ruins of Neurathen castle. Stop for lunch at Pirna's historic market square before continuing on to the charming Pillnitz castle and its gardens. You'll catch a glimpse of Dresden's impressive historic buildings before arriving at the famous promenade known as the “Balcony of Europe” to end the stage and your stay on a high note!

Take advantage of this last day to visit the city and its many historic sites before setting off again. Dresden epitomizes the country's turbulent history. Heavily bombed during the Second World War, turned into ruins overnight and after decades under Communist rule, it was rebuilt to regain its original splendor. Don't miss Our Lady of Dresden (Frauenkirche) and its impressive dome, the Baroque Zwinger Palace and its many museums, the Royal Palace, the Museum of Military History, the Pfunds Molkerei the world's most beautiful creamery, and many others that could keep you busy for days!