The Röder River Trail follows the course of the Große Röder along idyllic, nature-oriented paths from its source in Western Lusatia to near its mouth in southern Brandenburg.
This 106-kilometer cycling route winds through Saxony’s natural landscapes, idyllic forests, and river meadows, connecting not only numerous towns in the region but also offering the chance to discover its rich culture through historic castles and museums. The route begins at the source of the Große Röder in Western Lusatia near Rammenau. From here, the route runs through Bretnig-Hauswalde to Großröhrsdorf, where a stop at the local history museum or the Technical Museum of Ribbon Weaving is well worth it.
Cycling along the Heinrichsthaler Teiche, you reach Radeberg, the town world-famous for its brewery. Right on the Röder, you can visit the municipal swimming pool after passing Klippenstein Castle. The river winds its way out of the town alongside the bike path. In Seifersdorf, you cross the idyllic Seifersdorf Valley, and at Hermsdorf Castle, the Röder River winds its way around the historic buildings and the castle pond.
The Röder Cycle Route continues through other villages to Radeburg. Here, at the entrance to the town, the river forms a large reservoir on the right-hand side. In Radeburg, you can visit the local history museum with its Heinrich Zille exhibition or take a detour on the Lößnitzgrundbahn to Moritzburg or Radebeul. Further along the route, the town of Großenhain is also on the way. Worth seeing here is the charming old town with the Kulturschloss, whose historic keep offers a magnificent view of the town and the Großenhainer Pflege in the summer. St. Mary’s Church, the “Old Latin School,” and the Garden Show Park—a modern open-space design built for the State Garden Show—are also worth a visit. The route now continues along the Röder River toward Zabeltitz. Here you’ll pass the Große Gabelwehr, where the Röder splits. You’ll then reach Zabeltitz with its Baroque garden, featuring the Old Castle and the Palace. Also worth seeing in Zabeltitz are the Farm Museum and St. George’s Church. The Parkschänke at the northern end of the Baroque garden is a great spot for a break in the beer garden.
The idyllic Röderaue nature reserve, with a total of 25 ponds and its wonderful floodplain landscape, is one of the natural highlights of this route. In Tiefenau, the castle church and the adjacent rose garden with its pavilions are well worth seeing. In the summer months, you can take a relaxing break here at the café on Sundays.
The route finally ends in Brandenburg, in the small village of Kosilenzien, where a stop at the Burgwall Café on the weekend is a must.
