Handbiketour "Zwischen Königstein und Rathen"

From the train station in Rathen, we first follow the signs on the Elbe cycle path towards Königstein. It is very well marked and frequently used on nice days, so there is no need for a more detailed description. We pass the small village of Strand and after approx. 6.5 km reach Königstein at the foot of the fortress of the same name. Here we take the ferry to the other side of the Elbe to Halbestadt. Now we turn left and cycle back down the Elbe towards Rathen on a good road. 1.8 km further on, shortly after the Besenschänke, a split road branches off from the asphalt road at an acute angle. We leave this road and from now on follow the path uphill to Ebenheit below the Lilienstein. The first 180 m of the ascent are the steepest, but the next 1.7 km also make you sweat with gradients of up to 10%. After all the effort, we are rewarded with a fantastic view of the Lilienstein. When the path joins Napoleonstraße, we now turn left towards Waltersdorf. The route climbs a little to the large road junction. Keeping left, we follow the main road and continue along it (not the road towards Rathen!). Before the paved road leads up over the Ziegenrücken towards Hocksteinschänke a good kilometer later, we turn left and roll along the Füllhölzelweg through the Koppelsgrund on a rather bumpy - but very romantic - stretch towards Rathen. When the path joins the road again after a garage yard, we follow it to the right to the town center and on to the ferry. After crossing over, we are back at the starting point of our ride. Alternatively, you can take the road from Waltersdorf directly to Rathen, which is approx. 2 km shorter. Please note: the gradient here is 18% in places and the road is also partially paved!