The way to conquer Bikes change, the landscape cycling is timeless. is on foot. FAIRY GROTTO TO FINNE HIKING TRAIL | 90KM UNSTRUT CYCLE PATH | 200KM ELSTER CYCLE PATH | 250KM SAALE CYCLE PATH | 427KM KYFFHÄUSER TRAIL | 240KM 90km, including 60km in the nature park The route connects the regions of Thuringia and Saxony- The lower reaches of the Elster Cycle Path from around The Saale Cycle Path begins in Zell in the Fichtel Moun- Saalfeld to Bad Frankenhausen, about 240km, of which The Finne is the easternmost foothill of the Harz Anhalt. It goes alongside the river from its source in Berga are for the most part near the banks of the River tains in northeast Bavaria, winds its way along the River 70km is in Saale-Unstrut-Triasland Geo Nature Park. mountains and is actually a ridge running through the Eichsfeld to its confluence with the Saale near Naumburg. Elster. This is not always the case in the upper reaches Saale through Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt, and ends The trail follows the River Saale between Saalfeld and Saale-Unstrut region. A section of the Finne Hiking Trail It then continues through varied scenery such as Reiser because the river valley is narrow and rather steep. up in Barby on the Elbe. We recommend the section from Naumburg, and from Naumburg stays close to the River leads from Weissenfels to Rastenberg. Enjoy magnificent Valley (Reisersches Tal), the Unstrut Valley Nature Reserve This section is rather hilly and more suitable for athletic Jena to Wettin or Bernburg, which you can enjoy on well- Unstrut. It switches back and forth across the rivers, views from the castles and walk along paths steeped in (NSG Unstruttal), the Thuringian Gate (Thüringer Pforte) cyclists. Families with children should start further down surfaced paths over two or three days. Towns like Jena, offering wonderful views of the valleys, castles, palaces history. For example, during the twin battles of Jena at Heldrungen, and Saale-Unstrut-Triasland the valley in Gera or at the Fairy-Tale Forest (Märchen- Naumburg, Weissenfels and Halle all have glorious tales Enjoy the great outdoors and vineyards. and Auerstedt in 1806, the royal Prussian headquarters Geo Nature Park. wald) in Wünschendorf. of the Saale and its history to tell! As a result, the Saale were based in Auerstedt. Cycle Path is one of the most fascinating cycle trails Route in the Saale-Unstrut region Route | 55km in the nature park Route | 112km Gera – Bad Köstritz – Crossen – anywhere in Germany. Route Camburg – Kaatschen – Saaleck – Bad Kösen – Rossbach – Weissenfels – Leissling – Schönburg – Bad Kösen – Rossleben – Memleben – Kleinwangen (turn-off onto Salt Wetterzeube – Zeitz – Profen – Pegau – Lake Cospuden Cycling, hiking and canoeing Rudelsburg Castle – Saaleck Castle – Himmelreich – Road Cycle Trail) – Nebra – Karsdorf (turn-off onto Salt (Cospudener See) – Leipzig – Schkeuditz – Halle Route | 170km Jena – Dornburg – Camburg – Kleinjena – Grossjena – Freyburg – Zscheiplitz – Weischütz – Sonnendorf – Bad Sulza – Auerstedt – Eckartsberga – Road Cycle Trail) – Burgscheidungen (Figure of Eight/ Kleinheringen – Bad Kösen – Naumburg – Schönburg – Laucha – Dorndorf – (Gleina Hills, Gleinaer Berge) – MILL HIKING TRAIL | 18KM Marienthal – Rastenberg Rad-Acht cycle path intersection) – Laucha – Weischütz Key facts Hilly in the upper reaches, alternating Leissling – Weissen fels – Grosskorbetha – Bad Burgscheidungen – Tröbsdorf – Nebra – Wippach – (turn-off onto Goethe Cycle Path) – Freyburg – Naumburg between natural paths, surfaced cycle paths, and roads Dürrenberg – Merseburg – Halle – Wettin – Bernburg Nine impressive windmills and watermills can be explored Memleben – Wendelstein – Rossleben – Bottendorf – in the Saale and Wethau Valleys. Kroppenmühle Mill can Key facts Easy to challenging; mostly natural paths (start of the Saale Cycle Path) with little traffic. In the lower reaches almost exclusively Schönewerda Key facts be visited once a year on Mill Day (Whit Monday). The between Leissling and Schönburg as well as from surfaced cycle and farm paths, low gradients, suitable Close to the river, few gradients, Bad Kösen; very varied; about 1,500 vertical metres Key facts Mostly near the river, surfaced throughout, for young families, partly barrier-free. mostly surfaced, easy route is also suitable for cyclists, but you’ll need to switch Key facts Some challenging sections, mostly natural easy, almost flat, suitable for young families. Mostly to the southern side of the stream between Lochmühle hiking trails; partly surfaced in the Unstrut Valley; TIP Take the geological trail in Schönburg and explore barrier-free in the nature park. TIP Plan time in the upper reaches to explore the TIP Travellers with children, heavy luggage or trailers Mill and Boblas. The link to the Saale and Figure of Eight excellently signposted and marked, including alternative the village, the castle, and the geological features. viewpoints as well as the Elster Valley and its side are recommended to take the L203 with little traffic cycle routes enables tours heading for Weissenfels, routes; about 1,300 vertical metres; good transport links, TIP Treat yourself to an overnight stay at Memleben Osterfeld, Zeitz and Bad Kösen. valleys by bike or on foot. between Saaleck and Bad Kösen (pedestrian bridge) as runs partly on local round hiking trails such as the Quarry Abbey and learn about its history, the Nebra Sky Disk, the route via Rudelsburg Castle isn’t easy to cycle on. Trail, Vineyard Trail, Rudelsburg Castle Trail, etc. and Nebra’s historical red sandstone quarries. Route (mills in brackets) WEB www.elsterradweg.de In Bad Dürrenberg, directly on the cycle trail, there’s a bicycle service station with an information desk, toilets, Naumburg – Grochlitz – Kroppental (Neumühle, TIP From Bad Kösen, take the Finne Hiking Trail (Finne- WEB www.radweg-unstrut.de showers, bicycle shelter and luggage storage (open daily Kroppenmühle) – Wethau (Bachmühle) – Mertendorf – wanderweg) to Pforta Monastery (Kloster Schulpforta). from 10am, May to October). Wetterscheidt (Untermühle, Walkmühle, Herrenmühle) – Head back to the hiking trail via Fischhaus or Almrich Boblas (Lochmühle, Neumühle) – Naumburg along the Kleine Saale Canal. The route includes Zschei- plitz Geological Trail (Geopfad Zscheiplitz) with several WEB www.saaleradweg.de Key facts Gentle climbs, 200 vertical metres, about half interesting geological highlights as well as unique views surfaced and half unsurfaced of the Unstrut Valley and the former monastery. LAKE GEISELTAL DOLMEN ROUTE | 52KM LAKE GEISELTAL LOOP | 25KM Lake Geiseltal (Geiseltalsee) is the largest artificial lake The Dolmen Cycle Route (Dolmenradweg) connects the Lake Geiseltal (Geiseltalsee) near Mücheln in southern Greatest however is water. in Germany. It’s ideal for water sports enthusiasts Sky Disk Cycle Route (Himmelsscheiben-Radweg) in Saxony-Anhalt is the biggest artificial lake in Germany. (amateurs and professionals alike) as well as those Querfurt to the Saale Cycle Path (Saale-Radweg) near The trail around Lake Geiseltal connects beautiful vantage seeking relaxation. In recent years, two marinas have Goseck. It begins in Querfurt and leads via Langeneich- points. The three observation towers with a height of been built there, from where you can set off on a städt to the Dolmen Goddess (Dolmengöttin) – a menhir 14m provide a unique panoramic view of the lake and delightful sailing trip to enjoy the fresh breeze out with an etched fertility symbol near a burial chamber. the neighbouring villages. The route around Lake Geiseltal on the water. Cyclists, skaters and hikers love the After cycling alongside Lake Geiseltal and passing has a length of about 25km. Although you’ll need to ALONG THE RIVER UNSTRUT ALONG THE RIVER SAALE 25km-long trail around the lake. They often stop for through Rossbach, you’ll reach the village of Goseck. overcome a difference in altitude of 70m between the Places of interest en route include Querfurt Castle Wünsch viewpoint and the vineyard, cycling around Lake FROM MEMLEBEN TO NAUMBURG Canoeing on the River Saale is a great way to see the a break at a very special vineyard on the southern , the burial chamber near Langeneichstädt, Geiseltal is otherwise really easy. The route is connected heart of central Germany from an unusual angle. The face of the hillside, whose 30% gradient and reflection (Burg Querfurt) Right at the beginning of your canoe tour, we recom- the solar observatory near Goseck, and Lake Hasse in to several other cycle trails, namely Salt Road (Salzstrasse), landscape is dotted with castles and palaces open to of the lake are probably unique in Germany. To the north, mend visiting the museum at Memleben Abbey (Museum Lunstädt. Goethe, Three Towns (Drei Städte Radweg), Dolmen, visitors such as the three Dornburg Castles (Dornburger the Geisel Valley including the Klobikauer Halde slag Kloster und Kaiserpfalz Memleben) and also Memleben Lauchagrund-Schwarzeiche, and Salt and Coal History Schlösser), the ruins of Rudelsburg Castle (Rudelsburg), heap borders on the town of Bad Lauchstädt, famous Adventure Zoo. The scenery changes continuously before Route Querfurt - Langeneichstädt - Lake Geiseltal Loop - (Sole-Kohle-Geschichte Radweg). and Saaleck Castle (Burg Saaleck). On arriving in for its associations with early Romantic writer Johann the red sandstone cliffs of Steinklöbe Nature Reserve Braunsbedra - Rossbach - Pettstädt - Goseck Naumburg, you’ll see the famous cathedral with statues Wolfgang von Goethe.