Length 204.7 km

Altitude difference: 3140m

Time limit: 13.5 hours

Checkpoints:

• km 0: Start, Heidenau cycle track
• 3.5 km: Baroque garden Großsedlitz
• km 62: Šluknov market square
• Km 103: Hrad Sloup
• 158 km: Decínský Snežník
• 205 km: Finish, Heidenau cycle track

Actually, I wanted to start with a route that wasn't too hilly, but instead led along quiet side roads. I did the second very well. The former rather less, although there is only one real mountain. So we drive from the velodrome straight out to Großsedlitz. Here we visit the baroque garden and enjoy the view of Saxon Switzerland, hopefully the weather will be nice. After a short descent we are back in the Elbe valley and cross the Elbe in Pirna. On the right we see Sonnenstein Castle enthroned above the Elbe. A complex from the 13th century with a very varied history. It has been used over time as a castle, garrison, sanatorium and, in its darkest times, as a killing center. After the reunification in 2011, the district office is housed in it and shines again in its old glory.

On remote farm roads, it now goes up to Lohmen. Due to the heavy traffic to the bastion, we have to accept a small detour to Hohnstein. I would love to make a short detour to the Bastei and enjoy the view. If I ever consider an evening start, that would be an option. So we drive down the wide and completely quiet road in Polenztal and then immediately climb the serpentines to Hohnstein. Again and again we see the castle from the 12th century flashing out. We ignore the small market square with the entrance to the castle on the right and meander through the narrow streets towards Sebnitz.

Here we leave Saxony and drive to Bohemia. Passing the kite shop, it goes onto the lonely streets of the Schluckenauer Zipfel. It is a Czech enclave that juts out into Saxony like a pointed cap. Since the Germans were expelled after the war, there hasn't been any significant influx here. The area is correspondingly empty and remote. At the same time, the next 50 km are very hilly from here. A constant up and down until half time. In Šluknov we reach the north-easternmost point of today. The beautiful market square, typically designed for Bohemia, is our checkpoint here. It should be easy to find food here, in case all reserves have been used up. Via Krásná Lípa, on the edge of Bohemian Switzerland, we continue to Noví Bor. Here, too, there are other opportunities to stock up on food.

In Sloup v Čechách we finally reach today's most south-easterly point. At the rock castle Hrad Sloup we have to take a photo as a control at km 103. halftime. From here it's mostly easy going downhill to Děčín. On the way you will find typical Czech villages. In Děčín we cross the Elbe again, which is still called Labe here. Actually, the river should be called Vltava (Moldau), since this is the longer and larger river at the confluence of the Moldau and Elbe.

From the lowest-lying town in the Czech Republic, it goes up to the highest mountain in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the Decínský Snežník (High Snow Mountain). On the next 15 km we will have to overcome around 570 meters in altitude. But the climb is worth it. A beautiful view towards Bohemia awaits us. In good weather you can see Jested (Jested) from here. But also on the approach, shortly before you are at the top, there is a great view towards Saxony. Only the road at the end is not the very best. But since hikers are usually also on the move here, you shouldn't drive too fast anyway. It may be a little awkwardly located on the climb, but the restaurant in the Hotel Zlatá Lípa at km 144.6 is highly recommended.

From the Schneeberg it tends to be all downhill to the destination. In practice, however, we still have to master a few small counter climbs. At the Tiské Stěny (Tyssaer Walls), a huge rock labyrinth of up to 30m high rocks, which is well worth seeing, we pass to Petrovice. If you want, you can eat here in an old plane. At km 173 we cross the border to Saxony again. From here we unfortunately have to cycle from one valley to the next. Unfortunately, the main road to Pirna is not recommended because of the heavy border traffic. This is how we finally reach Burkhardswalde. From here it only goes down into the Müglitztal and back to Heidenau. The road we are on here was completely flooded in 2002. Only the houses and of course Weesenstein Castle on the right could be seen.

As already described, there should be no problems with food along the way. Petrol stations are mostly open around the clock. Supermarkets also on Sundays and public holidays. There are small potravinies in every small town and they are open very late. The numerous restaurants (Czech Restaurace) along the way are highly recommended. In practice, you can very rarely go wrong here.