We are delighted that you are interested in holidaying along the Saale River in the beautiful region of Thuringia in the green heart of Germany and would like to provide you with some information:

Excellent quality cycle paths, traffic-free laneways and quiet side roads lead you through a varied landscape in the green heart of Germany. Thuringia’s network of cycling paths stretches from demanding mountainous routes in the Thuringian Forest and Southern Harz regions to easy riverside routes, of which the Saale Cycle Route is the most well-known. Cycling routes through the Hainich National Park or through the Thuringian Basin are easy and rurally idyllic. Thuringia’s most beautiful cities are threaded like pearls along the so-called “Thuringian Chain of Cities". Wartburg Castle above Eisenach is at the beginning of the route. The cities of Gotha and Erfurt with the impressive ensemble of the cathedral and Severikirch Church are also located along the route, as well as the city of poets and thinkers Weimar which has been declared a UNESCO World heritage Site. To this day, visitors can still understand why Goethe and Schiller, among others, felt at home here. The goal of the unusual cultural cycling route is the thousand year old Imperial city of Altenburg.

The Saale Cycle Path
Cycling routes along rivers have always played a special role in cycling tourism. The mix of flowing water, pretty old towns along the riverbanks and romantic landscapes appeal to all. Thuringia and Saxony Anhalt play a leading role in this area in Central Germany: the Werra, Ilm, Unstrut, Gera, Elster and the Saale are the most well-known “cycling rivers” along with the Elbe River. Along its route from the Fichtelgebirge Mountains to where it meets the Elbe, the Saale flows right through Thuringia and Saxony Anhalt from the south to north. Spiritual buildings with an international reputation are located in Naumburg, Merseburg and Magdeburg. Last but not least, the mystical “Nebra sky disk” is now located prominently in the Regional Pre-historic Museum in Halle/Saale.
However, the Saale Cycle Route also offers cyclists a lot of nature. In the Thuringian Schiefergebirge, the river has been dammed a number of times. This has lead to the formation of a Fjord landscape with glittering waters which is unique in Germany. After passing through the modern city of Jena the river continues on through a canyon-like valley, framed by light-coloured limestone cliffs and steep virgin forest hillsides. A little further north, the landscape changes once more. Delightful vineyards and wide meanders of the river lend the region a Mediterranean appearance. Wine also grows along the two tributaries Ilm and Unstrut and wineries tempt with their wares. Natural river-scapes abound in the biosphere reserve of Mittelelbe, which combines culture and nature. In the Lutheran city of Wittenberg and Dessau-Rößlau you will once again be astounded by World Heritage Sites.  

What ever it is you are looking for: from “family friendly” to “physically challenging” we have the perfect cycling holiday in Thuringia and Saxony Anhalt for you.

As you can see, there is a lot to discover along the Saale Cycle Path, we look forward to hearing from you!