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Welcome to Railtrail Tours

A family firm with an ethos of honesty and integrity. Our passion for delivering quality escorted holidays by rail at great value fares along with consistently excellent customer service has stood us in good stead for over 40 years.

Big on Quality, Small Enough to Care

01538 382323
Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm

<img src="basteibridge4©adobestock.jpeg" alt="Bastei Bridge"/>

Trails of Saxony: Cycle & Explore

Experience an incredible cycling adventure in the beautiful Saxony region of Germany. Cycle on the famous Elbe Cycling Path along the banks of the river to picturesque towns, tour the landscape of the magnificent Moritzburg Castle, and hike to the remarkable Bastei Bridge. Journey on a traditional narrow-gauge railway, enjoy a guided tour of Dresden plus free time in the historic cities of Erfurt and Cologne.

View Dates & Book

9 days from £2399

 

DEPARTS

Sunday 22 June 2025

Sunday 7 September 2025

 

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ride across the famous Elbe Cycling Path

  • Explore the architecture of Dresden on a guided city tour

  • Tour picturesque Meissen, a town inextricably linked to porcelain

  • Visit Albrechtsburg Castle, Germany’s oldest castle

  • Hike to the famous Bastei Bridge with panoramic views of the Elbe River

  • Steam on the traditional narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn

  • Discover the magnificent Moritzburg Castle

  • Cycle along the banks of the Elbe to Bad Schandau

  • Ride the historic Kirnitzschtalbahn tramway to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall

  • Enjoy free time in the beautiful cities of Erfurt and Cologne

 

Also included in your Tour Fare:

  • 8 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 5 evening meals

  • Local Cycling Guide in Dresden

  • Bike Rental of Touring Bike plus Helmet Hire

  • Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then onwards to Erfurt and our base for one night, the InterCity Hotel, where we check in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

D

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we continue our journey to Dresden, the "Florence on the Elbe", beautifully located in the Elbe Valley. We enjoy a guided walking tour of the city marvelling at the world-famous architecture and exploring the Semper Opera House, Zwinger Palace, Royal Palace, and Frauenkirche Church. We return to our hotel, the InterCity Hotel in Dresden, for our six-night stay where we enjoy our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 3

Today, we enjoy a wonderful extended bicycle tour through the Elbland to Meissen, a town inextricably linked with the theme of porcelain. Here, we enjoy a guided tour of the city which takes us to Albrechtsburg Castle, Germany's oldest castle, plus a visit to the Meissen Cathedral and the famous Burgberg. We return to Dresden by bike travelling along the other side of the Elbe River passing beautiful vineyards.

Cycling Activity: Approx. 50km

B

DAY 4

After breakfast, we travel by rail to Rathen and begin our day with an ascent to the famous Bastei Bridge, one of Germany's most unique landscapes, offering magnificent views of the Elbe River. We continue along forest trails through Höllengrund and Wehlener Grund to the picturesque town of Wehlen where we cross the Elbe River by ferry and continue to the summit of the remarkable Rauenstein rock where we enjoy panoramic views. Afterwards, we return to Dresden by train in time for our evening meal together.

Hiking Activity: Approx. 17km

B, D

DAY 5

Today, we enjoy time at leisure to explore the region as you wish. You could visit Dresden's many fascinating museums, perhaps take a boat trip along the Elbe River, explore the quaint shops and boutiques, or simply relax in a café.

B

DAY 6

After breakfast this morning, we cycle to Radebeul for a ride behind steam on the traditional narrow-gauge Lössnitzgrundbahn taking us on the scenic route to Moritzburg. Here, we can visit the magnificent Moritzburg Castle with its fantastic collections of hunting trophies and ornate tapestries. After touring through the pond landscape, we retrace our steps to Radebeul and cycle back to the hotel in time for our evening meal.

Cycling Activity: Approx. 50km

B, D

DAY 7

Today, we cycle along the banks of the Elbe to Bad Schandau where we ride the bucolic Kirnitzschtalbahn tramway running along country lanes and through the valley of the Kirnitzch River to the beautiful Lichtenhainer Wasserfall and back. Afterwards, we return by train for our last night in Dresden.

Cycling Activity: Approx. 45km

B

DAY 8

After breakfast, we journey by rail to Cologne and, on arrival, transfer to our hotel for the evening, the Wyndham Hotel. We enjoy free time to explore the city before meeting for our final evening meal together in a local restaurant.

B, D

DAY 9

We bid farewell to Cologne and to Germany, returning by rail to Brussels, where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

HOTELS

InterCity Hotel, Erfurt

Located close to the main railway station, the InterCity Hotel offers a pleasant and relaxing ambience and is a short distance to the city centre. The modern bedrooms provide a private bathroom, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

 

InterCity Hotel, Dresden

Situated right by the main railway station, the InterCity Hotel offers a relaxed ambience including a cosy bar and a quality restaurant serving regional and national specialties. The stylish bedrooms provide a private bathroom, hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.

 

Wyndham Hotel, Cologne

Located opposite Cologne Cathedral and close to the railway station, the Wyndham Hotel offers top hotel service and a cosy bar with an outdoor terrace. The modern, air-conditioned bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

 

FARES

From London St Pancras International:

Standard Class rail travel to/from Germany, including Standard Eurostar

£2,399

Supplement for Standard Premier Eurostar upgrade return

£250

First Class rail travel to/from Germany, including Standard Premier Eurostar

£2,799

Join at Erfurt & Leave at Cologne

£2,009

Single Traveller Supplement

£280

 

8 nights’ bed & breakfast plus 5 evening meals

Eurostar and rail travel to and from Germany in the class of your choice

All transfers, excursions & admissions as detailed

Local Cycling Guide in Dresden

Bike Rental of Touring Bike plus Helmet Hire

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

 

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Tour Base Tour Base (Join & Leave at Hotel)
London St Pancras Int London St Pancras Int (LNE)

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Contact Us
Railtrail Tours Limited
21 The Smithfield Centre, Leek
Staffordshire Moorlands, ST13 5JW
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