This past spring had a bit of a hit-and-miss weather and I was desperate to get out for a longer ride. And I was really looking forward to be able to ride this route specifically.
Part 1: rolling hills
The start is not the best, since you have to fight your way through motorized traffic during the climb out of Dresden.
But after Bühlau the route gets on a beautiful bike path that replaced an old railway and goes through fields and small villages.
Both the views and the silence are amazing and, especially during spring, this stretch is really a joy to ride and a great way to unwind from the work week.
Soon enough you are going around Stolpen and, after turning into a small steep road to the right, you are again pedaling through cultivated fields. Finally there is a nice and fast, albeit short, descent followed by a steep climb: the first crossing of the Polenztal.
Part 2: saxon switzerland
After a smooth coast on a larger road, the route turns to the right, into a small village and a narrow valley. In case you are short on water fear not: there is a nice biergarten on the left, right at the beginning of the village :)
After another nice stretch of farm road with zero traffic, the route glides to Hohnstein and its castle. And now you get to my favourite part: the winding drop into the Polenztal (again). There are a couple of switchbacks to get right and, if there are no slow cars in front, it is a fast and very enjoyable descent.
After a proper descent into a valley there is always, of course, a proper climb out of it and this is no exception. Even climbs can be enjoyable after all :)
Part 3: either swim or get food
At this point most of the ride is done: now it’s time to enjoy the coast down to Pirna, zooming past the gliders’ airfield and going around the lake.
If you are either melting or into triathlon, this is the perfect time for a swim!
Otherwise, just try to push the last 20 km back to Dresden as fast as you can. And enjoy a well deserved falafel wrap, at last.
If you enjoyed the read, I hope you will enjoy the ride as well. Here is the komoot track: