Cycling through the Labe Sandstone Mountains

Děčín - Dolní Žleb - Krippen - Kleingießhübel - (Großer Zschirnstein) - Česká brána - Maxičky - Děčín

From Děčín, take the Elbe cycle path towards Dolní Žleb. Just after Děčín you will enter the Elbe Canyon, the deepest sandstone canyon in Europe.

You will follow the Elbe, or rather the Elbe Cycle Path, all the way to Krippen. Here you will join the little-used road S169.

Along the Krippenbach stream you will climb up to the turn-off to Kleingießhübel. After that, you'll have the hardest hill of the whole trip, but it's not terrible (2.5 km, 150 m elevation gain).

About 4 km after Kleingießhübel there is a turn-off to the Großer Zschirnstein (560 m). If you like impressive views, don't miss it!

If you don't want to pedal up to the top (it can be ridden up or down, but the road is broken in places), you can leave your bike below the summit climb. Many cyclists do this.

From Zschirnstein it is only a short walk to the Czech Gate. This is the way back to Bohemia. Before and after the Bohemian Gate you will have to walk a few hundred metres along a forest path, but it is not difficult. Then there is an asphalt road that will take you to Maxičky. From there, it's only a short walk to Decin and it's downhill.

You can also take this route with your children if you take it in reverse and use the Sněžník cyclo-bus to get you to Maxičky to climb the highest hill.

Refreshments are available in Dolní Žleb (Dolní Grund, U Kosti), Krippen (Landgasthaus Ziegelscheune) or Maxičky (Dřevák).