One of my favourite tours starts in Pirna. First it heads north over small, winding roads out of the Elbe valley, then across the countryside through small villages to the first stopover in Stolpen. The route continues to Neustadt and then over a long climb to Sebnitz. Behind the silk flower town, we crank our way up over the Hochbuschkuppe to one of the most beautiful panoramic roads in the region. From Altendorf, it feels like we are heading straight for the Lilienstein, but then we take a detour towards Bad Schandau, where we cross the Elbe. On the other side of the valley, the road climbs again towards Gohrisch. Just below Papstein we turn left and let the bike roll past Pfaffenstein with a view of Königstein Fortress. One of the last climbs is mastered shortly after Leupoldishain. Via Struppen we whirr down with wonderful views over the region directly into the Elbe valley, where we either cross over again to Wehlen or roll back on the Elbe cycle path directly to Pirna to end the day's tour enjoyably in the old town.
