Castle Tour

You’ll start the castle tour at the Heidenau/Großsedlitz S-Bahn station, heading toward the B172, which you’ll then cross. The path continues to the right along Apfelallee. A challenging, difficult-to-navigate uphill climb awaits you. The path takes you directly to Großsedlitz and the Baroque Garden, one of Germany’s most famous Baroque gardens from the time of Augustus the Strong.

At the next intersection, continue straight ahead onto Neubauernweg. When you reach the nursery, turn right onto a gravel path, which forks into two paths after a short distance. Please keep left here onto Schilfteichweg. This path leads you to Saxony’s second-oldest town, Dohna. At the end of Schilfteichweg, turn onto Weesensteiner Straße into the Müglitz Valley.

At the next intersection, keep left and continue on Altenberger Straße toward Weesenstein. Soon you’ll catch sight of the imposing and romantic 800-year-old Weesenstein Castle. Continue on Altenberger Straße until you reach the left turn-off for Burkhardswalde (Am Bahnhof). After you’ve conquered the long, steep climb, ride through Burkhardswalde toward Großröhrsdorf. In Seitenhain, turn left into the Seidewitz Valley. A great descent awaits you. Please note that the descent becomes very steep toward the end, so as a precaution, start braking a few meters beforehand.

At the intersection, turn right toward Liebstadt. Kuckuckstein Castle in Liebstadt is picturesquely situated on a rocky outcrop above the Seidewitz River valley. Now ride back along the same route beside the Seidewitz River toward Pirna. Here you can really enjoy the bike ride, as the route to Pirna is entirely downhill. It passes the old Zuschendorf Country Castle, which shines in all its Baroque splendor. At the next major intersection, turn left onto Zehistaer Straße toward Pirna, then follow Einsteinstraße on your left until you reach the B172. Cross the B172 and turn left onto Maxim-Gorki-Straße to reach the bus and S-Bahn station.

These palaces, castles, and gardens are along the route:

• Großsedlitz Baroque Garden
• Weesenstein Palace
• Kuckuckstein Palace
• Zuschendorf Palace

Most of the route runs along roads with moderate traffic that lack bike lanes; always stay as far to the right as possible here.

The Apfelallee to Großsedlitz is really only manageable on a mountain bike. If you don’t have a mountain bike, it’s best to walk your bike to protect it, or take the detour along the well-paved Pechhüttenstraße, which begins to the right of Apfelallee. However, this road is very steep.