The Elster Cycle Route leads about 250 km from the source near the Czech town of Aš to the confluence of the White Elster into the Saale near Halle in Saxony-Anhalt.
The route guidance was chosen mostly along the riverbank, it is characterized by different surface conditions and sometimes leads along quiet small country roads.
After starting on the Czech side, it goes about 15 km to the German border at Bad Elster. Numerous vitality and cultural offerings as well as the historic spa park invite for a relaxing stay at the spa. Just a few kilometers away lies Adorf, where there is a miniature exhibition with sights of the Vogtland and a botanical garden.
The Elster Cycle Route leads above the river valley through small villages to Oelsnitz. Here you will find Voigtsberg Castle with three museums and events. Past the idyllic Pirk Dam, you cycle via Weischlitz and Kürbitz into the leading city Plauen, where a stop is highly recommended. The historic old town and the newly opened in 2023 "Thread Factory", the Renaissance Town Hall and the newly designed market square invite you to stroll. Upstream, a detour to the Pöhl Dam is worthwhile before cycling further initially to Elsterberg with the mighty castle ruins, before leaving Saxony and visiting the Thuringian residential city Greiz. You should definitely plan time to visit the Upper and Lower Castle, the summer palace and the Greiz Park. The same goes for a detour to Nitschareuth with its farmers museum or Wünschendorf with the Mildenfurth Monastery and the fairy tale forest.
From there it is not far to Gera with the historic town hall, cave museum (underground tunnel and cellar system) and the Otto Dix House.
In Saale land, the cycle route opens up the picturesque Elster valley between Bad Köstritz and Crossen on the Elster. This about 11 km long section of the Elster Cycle Route begins in the sightseeing-worthy dahlia, Heinrich Schütz, and "beer town" Bad Köstritz. It is worthwhile to first visit the Heinrich Schütz House or the traditional brewery. The Köstritzer Schwarzbier Brewery is one of Germany’s oldest breweries, going back to 1543. At the Dahlia Center, visitors can learn interesting facts about the long-standing cultivation of dahlias in the town and admire the various dahlia varieties in the teaching and demonstration garden.
The cycle route leads through the extensive Köstritz Park, past lush meadows and forests and gentle hills along the charming Elster floodplain to Crossen on the Elster. A detour to the baroque castle complex of Crossen Castle and to the historic market square in the town is worthwhile. A few kilometers later, the cyclist also crosses the state border to Saxony-Anhalt.
The Haynsburg castle tower is accessible – then a detour from the Elster Cycle Route is also worthwhile to enjoy the wide view over the land. Directly on the cycle path at Neumühle, you can watch water sports enthusiasts on the slalom course with a bit of luck. And then Zeitz greets you with the Moritzburg Residential Castle and its German Pram Museum and the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. So definitely leave the cycle path and visit Moritzburg Castle.
Peaceful small villages line the further course of the Elster Cycle Route. At Zangenberg, the cyclist will have to park the bike and "climb" the small hill to the treetop path. Pure joie de vivre spreads. Cross-country through the green Elster valley, bordered by horse pastures and meadows, the cycle route leads to the Göbitz Water Mill - a former manor house. A break should be planned. In Draschwitz you cross the "green wonder". The iron steel bridge built in 1892, a steel truss with rivet technique, spans 25 meters width of flow over the White Elster.
Further in the Elster valley, the cycle route winds through the floodplain landscape towards Profen. A welcome resting place with observation tower directly on the White Elster and then it goes towards Leipzig. The story “Der Freischütz” written at the Ermlitz manor house by Apel became the basis of the famous opera by his friend Carl Maria von Weber. Visits to the manor house are possible on request. Here the "Song of the Bridesmaids" blows through the rooms…
Thus "inspired" it goes past the Raßnitzer and Wallendorf Lakes. The viewpoint on Raßnitzer Lake and the Deer Hill at Wallendorf Lake allow panoramic views from Halle to Leipzig.
The path leads through the floodplain forest to Halle before the White Elster flows into the Saale.
