A more challenging but beautiful bike ride begins in Děčín. Here, join bike route No. 23, known as the Krušnohorská magistrála, and then you’ll face a roughly 5-kilometer climb to Maxičky. On this stretch, you’ll climb about 340 meters in elevation. From Maxičky, you’ll ride along a scenic forest path all the way to Soví brána. Here, you’ll cross the border and continue on to Großer Zschirnstein, which you can also climb on foot if you wish. In good weather, the summit of Saxon Switzerland’s highest table mountain offers a beautiful view of the nearby and more distant surroundings. Another table mountain that can be visited without a bike is the Kleiner Zschirnstein. This table mountain also offers beautiful views and unique rock formations. From the Kleiner Zschirnstein, the route leads to the small German town of Schöna. Here, you’ll join the Elberadweg, the German section of the Elbe Cycle Route. Head back upstream along the Elbe River toward the Czech Republic. On the opposite bank, you’ll see Hřensko, which is connected to Schöna by a ferry. Continue your trip, however, on to Dolní Žleb. Here you can stop for a break and some refreshments. After your break, continue along the Elbe Cycle Route through Europe’s deepest sandstone canyon—the Elbe Canyon—until you reach Děčín.

Route: Děčín – Maxičky – Großer Zschirnstein – Schöna – Děčín

Trip length: 40 km

Ascent: 564 m, Descent: 564 m