On the Mulde Cycle Path
The Mulde cycle path runs in the valley of the Mulde along the Zwickau and Freiberg Mulde with its two starting points in Schöneck and Moldava via Sermuth to Dessau and crosses the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. On its approximately 400 kilometers, it leads past the Ore Mountains and runs over the Düben Heath through the Saxon hills to the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve. Varied and attractive landscapes characterize the Mulde cycle path and its numerous stations. With its two starting points in hilly terrain, the path goes down to flat terrain at the confluence of the Mulde arms. You cycle along forest and forestry paths as well as individual busy roads along idyllic and varied landscapes.
The first section of the route begins in Rechenberg-Bienenmühle near the Czech border and runs along the Freiberger Mulde river. This section of the route is around 155 kilometers long and takes you past the Ore Mountains town of Freiberg, the town of Nossen in the Ore Mountains foothills, the "boot town" of Döbeln and Leisnig to Sermuth. On the way you can enjoy the idyllic forest atmosphere and great views over the wide landscape.
The second starting point is in Schöneck - the highest town in the Vogtland - and from there the cycle path leads along the Zwickauer Mulde to Sermuth. The route climbs a total of 150 metres over a distance of around 1.900 kilometres and passes the towns of Muldenberg, Zwickau, Penig and Rochlitz, among others. Along the river you will immerse yourself in wooded areas, narrow valleys and the Western Ore Mountains. Numerous castles invite you to discover and explore.
Just like the Mulde, the cycle path joins together on its way north. Near Sermuth, the Zwickau and Freiberg Mulde flow together to form the United Mulde and accompany cyclists for a further 120 kilometers. On this section, the landscape changes and from hilly landscapes you reach the flat floodplain landscape of the Mulde. From there, the route continues on very flat terrain via Grimma, Wurzen and Bitterfeld through the Düben Heath to Dessau. At Dessau, the Mulde finally flows into the Elbe, where the Mulde cycle path ends. If you haven't had enough after this tour, you can continue from this point on the Elbe cycle path or the European cycle path R1.
A river with fairytale charm
The Mulde is part of the Elbe river system and has been shaping its surroundings with its fairytale charm since the Middle Ages. The non-navigable, left tributary of the Elbe, both as the Vereinigte Mulde and through its two source rivers, provides impressions that many cyclists appreciate. It is therefore hardly surprising that one of Germany's well-known long-distance cycle routes also focuses on this impressive river landscape. Its western arm rises in Schöneck, the highest town in the Vogtland, at a height of a good 700 meters. The two source rivers, the Rote Mulde and Weiße Mulde, flow together here to form the Zwickauer Mulde. The Freiberger Mulde, which has its origins in the Eastern Ore Mountains in the Czech Republic, forms the eastern arm of the Mulde. It runs through the Saxon Burgenland and finally flows together with the Zwickauer Mulde in Sermuth to form the Vereinigte Mulde. The river banks, with their picturesque and idyllic backdrops, invite you to take walks and cycle tours along the Mulde. The entire Mulde is the fourth largest tributary of the Elbe.
Partial route 1: Along the Zwickauer Mulde
Along the Mulde cycle path, picturesque river landscapes and varied routes meet cultural and historical sights in the numerous towns that the cycle path passes through. On the Zwickauer Mulde route, you pass the largest dam in the Free State of Saxony, the Eibenstock Dam. It is located in the Erzgebirge district and dams the water of the Zwickauer Mulde. From a vantage point above the impressive dam wall, you can look out over the reservoir and the surrounding landscape. As you continue along the path, you also pass Rochlitz Castle, which towers over the Zwickauer Mulde and looks back on a 1.000-year history of emperors, princes and kings. Duchess Elisabeth von Rochlitz, one of the most important figures of the Reformation in Saxony, once had her seat here. Its two striking towers are visible to cyclists and hikers from afar and invite you to enjoy a panoramic view of the Mulde valley. On a tour you can still see the impressive cross vaults of the castle chapel, the magnificently restored prince's house and the 100 square meter black kitchen. Another highlight is Colditz Castle, which dominates the town of the same name with its imposing appearance. The original residential and hunting lodge is one of the oldest castles in Saxony and is considered one of the most beautiful central German Renaissance monuments of the 16th century. The castle gained international fame through its use as a prisoner of war camp for high-ranking officers of the Western Allies during the Second World War. The escape museum in the civil servants' house now provides information about their spectacular escape attempt. Zwickau, known as the automobile and Robert Schumann city, also has all kinds of sights to offer. Saxony's fourth largest city shows that business and art, as well as industry and culture, have been closely intertwined for centuries. The magnificent St. Mary's Cathedral on the town's market square, the Robert Schumann House with the world's largest collection from the Schumann family, and the exhibitions in the Audi building and the August Horch Museum, which are part of the theme of industrial culture, are well worth a visit.
Partial route 2: Along the Freiberger Mulde
During the section of the route along the Freiberg Mulde, you will come across a number of sights. The university town of Freiberg invites you to visit its historic old town, which is home to the important Freiberg Cathedral of St. Mary. The late Gothic hall church impresses with its golden gate and magnificent vaults. Nossen Castle can also be found on this route. The imposing complex was originally built as a castle in the 12th century and stands on a rocky outcrop above the Freiberg Mulde. Various exhibitions have been presenting the town's eventful history here since 1996 and are reminiscent of the Saxon nobility. Another excursion destination on the Mulde cycle path is the nearby Altzella Monastery with its historic monastery park. Through the Romanesque entrance gate you reach the site, where a mausoleum, an abbey ruin and the converso house can still be found. The route continues along the Freiberg Mulde through the "boot town" of Döbeln, one of the cities with the most bridges in Saxony. Whether it's a ride on the historic horse-drawn tram through the picturesque town centre, a tour of the town hall and town museum or a look into the birthplace of the expressionist artist Erich Heckel: Döbeln offers its visitors all sorts of things to see and experience. Close to Leisnig - the "town on the mountain" sung about in a local song - Mildenstein Castle is located on steep cliffs above the valley of the Freiberger Mulde. In addition to a visit to the Romanesque chapel, the keep from the 12th century still offers an impressive view of the medieval town and the Mulde valley.
Partial route 3: Along the Vereinigte Mulde
The cycle path leads along the Vereinigte Mulde past the district town of Grimma, which boasts numerous architectural monuments from different eras in its historic old town - the largest in West Saxony. In addition to the town hall and the famous Grimma monastery church, other worthwhile destinations include the 70-meter-long Pöppelmann Bridge. The listed building from 1719 bears the name of the well-known baroque architect Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and is a great place to take a short rest. Also worth seeing are the ruins of the former Marienthron monastery in Nimbschen, which can be admired between old beech and oak trees. Katharina von Bora, a Saxon noblewoman and later wife of Martin Luther, spent her youth here. Around six kilometers further on is the Kössern hunting lodge on the Mulde cycle path, built around 1709, which is considered an outstanding gem of baroque architecture. The richly painted facade can be seen from afar. On a guided tour in historical costumes, you can learn all about the history of the hunting lodge. A refreshing change from the numerous cultural and historical sights on the Muderadweg is the Muldestausee, which at around six square kilometers is the fourth largest body of water in Saxony-Anhalt. The flooded open-cast mine now offers many opportunities for water sports, swimming and hiking.
bicycle self-help workshop
Since 2019, there has been a special service at various locations on the Mulde Cycle Path to help cyclists on their way. Special bicycle self-help workshops offer a wide range of equipment. Whether tire levers, screwdrivers or an air pump with adapters for all valves - the 1,30 meter high and green service station is available day and night for large or small repairs. A QR code on the device also provides helpful repair instructions. The green helpers can be found at the Landgasthof Dehnitz near Wurzen on the Vereinigte Mulde and directly at Rochlitz Castle on the Zwickauer Mulde. Another station on the Freiberger Mulde is being planned.
Collecting stamps on the Mulde cycle path
The brochure "Welcome to the Mulde Cycle Path", published by Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH, provides brief, clear information about the cycle path along the three arms of the Mulde. It also contains two promotions for cyclists on the Mulde Cycle Path: the establishments listed in the brochure offer the brochure holder a discount on admission. Anyone who collects a stamp at at least four different locations and sends in the postcard included in the brochure will receive a useful cyclist's gift free of charge.
More information: www.mulderadweg.de