Pretzsch Ferry – View of Pretzsch Castle loop from Elster (Elbe)

Bike touring routes & trails

Pretzsch Ferry – View of Pretzsch Castle loop from Elster (Elbe)

Hard

4.5

(589)

2,433

riders

Pretzsch Ferry – View of Pretzsch Castle loop from Elster (Elbe)

06:32

113km

230m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 19.7 km for 100 m

Open: • Monday-Friday: 5:00 AM-7:00 PM • Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM (otherwise closed)

After 94.0 km for 100 m

Open: • Monday-Friday: 5:00 AM-7:00 PM • Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM (otherwise closed)

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.48 km

Black Elster River

Highlight • River

The river rises in the Lusatian Mountains (Upper Lusatia) at an altitude of 317 m above sea level on the eastern flank of the 396 meter high peak, a secondary peak of the Hochstein.

The source is located about 1.5 kilometers south of the town of Kindisch, which belongs to Elstra. From there, the Black Elster initially flows north through Elstra, Kamenz, Milstrich and Wittichenau. From Hoyerswerda, it flows west to Elsterheide. After 63 kilometers, it then crosses the Saxon-Brandenburg border. Immediately after the border, the Black Elster crosses the Koschen Canal between Groß- and Kleinkoschen at a waterway junction. It then flows through Senftenberg and Ruhland to Lauchhammer. There it reaches the Schraden, which covers around 15,000 hectares, and the mouth of the Pulsnitz.

After the Black Elster has passed the narrowest point of the Breslau-Magdeburg glacial valley at Elsterwerda (7 km), it turns to the northwest and flows through the towns of Bad Liebenwerda, Herzberg and Jessen in the Elbe-Elster lowlands. It flows into the Elbe at river kilometre 198.5 at an altitude of 69 m above sea level near the municipality of Elster (Elbe).
Source de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarze_Elster

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.9 km

Kleindröbener Riß

Lake

19.9 km

Pretzsch Ferry

Highlight • Structure

The Pretzsch ferry can be used to switch to the right-bank Elbe Cycle Route in the direction of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It connects Pretzsch with the Jessen district of Mauken.
A reaction ferry is a type of ferry that uses the river's current. The ferry is suspended on a long wire rope, which splits shortly before the vehicle. One end of the rope is attached to the bow and one to the stern of the ferry. The wire rope is anchored on the riverbank so that the fairway remains clear and is marked with a buoy for shipping. By changing the length of the ends relative to each other, the angle of the ferry to the current changes. The pressure of the incoming water pushes it to the bank. The adjustment of the rope ends is done today by motor power; otherwise, the ferry does not require an engine.

Source: Elberadweg

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20.0 km

Schloss Pretzsch

Highlight • Castle

More information at schloss-pretzsch.de

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Tip by

20.1 km

View of Pretzsch Castle

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

East of Pretzsch you have a very good view of Pretzsch and its beautiful castle from the road.

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26.5 km

Great Lausiger Pond

Highlight • Lake

A beautiful lake with several seating areas for resting and enjoying, and right next to it a camping park.

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56.9 km

Glacis

Forest

93.0 km

Pretzsch Castle

Highlight • Castle

After the ferry, a short detour to Pretzsch Castle is worthwhile. Especially in summer, when it's hot, cyclists will find a cozy café with outdoor seating and, of course, a restroom in addition to food and drinks. After the break, you can then continue directly back to the Elbe Cycle Path towards Torgau.

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Tip by

94.0 km

Elbe River

Highlight • River

Ferry times can be found online

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Tip by

94.2 km

View of Pretzsch Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

A very beautiful view and the ferry is running again.
Here you will find current times for the ferry service
xn--fhre-pretzsch-bfb.de

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Tip by

113 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

61.1 km

20.7 km

15.8 km

14.1 km

1.18 km

338 m

132 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

89.7 km

16.3 km

5.43 km

1.16 km

690 m

240 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Monday 5 October

22°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 9, 2025,Elberadweg Etappe Torgau -Lutherstadt Wittenberg

Today we started early to catch the midday train in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, because the trains were expected to be full.
That worked out perfectly; the wind was still strong and, as always, from the wrong direction. Luckily, we were spared the rain, but it was noticeably chilly.
Overall, it was a lovely three days on the Elbe.

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August 21, 2024,Von Wittenberg nach Torgau

Elbe Day 10
Wittenberg – Torgau
We always planned ahead as far as possible and so today we first took care of the tickets for the return journey by train from Dresden. In Wittenberg there is actually still a DB customer center with expert advice.
After that was done, our route led us to the right bank of the Elbe …

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September 11, 2024,Von Lutherstadt Wittenberg nach Torgau

Very nice cycle path, only the weather today spoiled the fun...

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July 26, 2023,Elbe 5 : Torgau-Wittenberg

5. Part Elberadtour: Lots of history, beautiful towns and run through lonely landscapes on top bike paths. Definitely recommendable. Torgau and Wittenberg absolutely great cities!

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April 28, 2022,5.Tag Torgau - Wittenberg

The last stage is done. With the best cycling weather, we started early in Torgau after a good breakfast in the Hotel Brauhof, with a small unplanned city tour. Because of the State Horticultural Show, parts of the Elbe Cycle Path are closed within the city. So already 2 km more on the clock. But it doesn't matter, the journey …

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June 30, 2023,Fahrradtour von Torgau über Bad Schmiedeberg nach Wittenberg

Very rural area of the Elbe was nothing to see except for the ferry crossing. Many villages here you can still see the contrast between old and new (DDR and now). Unfortunately, about 10 km before our destination, a downpour caught us and washed us properly. Thank God we had great weather again the next day during the city tour. …

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July 25, 2026,Von Lutherstadt Wittenberg nach Torgau

Short break on the Elbe Cycle Route. Unfortunately, in a rather arid and dry landscape. But definitely great infrastructure with many rest stops, cafes, guesthouses, and campsites. Let's see what tomorrow's stage brings...

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June 11, 2023,7. Torgau nach Lutherstadt Wittenberg

In flat Elbe meadows we continue from Torgau. The landscape never gets boring. From Dommitzsch, the cycle path runs parallel to a disused railway line. You can see fields, different types of forest and ponds and lakes. Bird lovers will get their money's worth. Kites, buzzards, storks, herons, swans, ducks and various birds (e.g. red-backed shrike, chaffinch, sparrow, yellowhammer, goldfinch, …

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