Elbe Unczeched

Introduction

Ten years ago we cycled the Elbe cycle path and we wanted to do it again but with a bit more Czechia! So we combined parts of three previous trips, namely: Elbe, Vltava and Sieben Flüsse. To mitigate any Covid-related disruption over the summer, we made a plan that – even at the last minute – could omit foreign countries without requiring rebooking long-distance train trips and could start from our own front door if necessary. So was born “Elbe Unczeched”! Assuming no Covid-related disruption, the route starts at Marktredwitz (on the German/Czech border), enters Czechia, returns to Germany and finishes in Hamburg, a total distance of 1261Km.

Our plan was to cycle the distance in 19.5 days (average 65Km/day) and to rest for 4.5 days in Mariánské Lázně, Plzeň, Dresden, Magdeburg and Hamburg (but definitely not in Praha, in which you can’t move for all the tourists). In reality, we cycled 1378Km in 19.5 days (average 71Km/day).

The Good, the bad and the ugly

bad: north of Dresden the Elbe landscape is fairly monotonous (just river, dykes and fields) but it’s still relaxing cycling (Alexis)
bad: some rough paths in Czechia not suitable for loaded touring bikes (Suzie)
good: some lovely towns and beatiful scenery (Suzie)
ugly: campsites in Mělník and Litoměřice (Alexis)
good: lots and lots of ferries! (Suzie)