Around Stolpen

The loop around Stolpen is part of the right Elbe cycle path network. It is well suited for an afternoon excursion by bike, which can of course be combined with a visit to Stolpen Castle. Stolpen Castle is a landmark of the region.The tour starts at Stolpen railway station, which lies on the Pirna-Dürrröhrsdorf-Neustadt-Sebnitz railway line. From here, follow Bahnhofstraße to Stolpen until you reach Pirnaer Landstraße. Turn right there and after about 50 m turn right again into Dresdner Straße. From here you reach the old town of Stolpen. If you have some time with you, we recommend that you park your bike and explore Stolpen Castle (www.burg-stolpen.org). The church with its Herbrig organ is also worth seeing.Back at the starting point, cycle down Pirnaer Landstraße and after about 250 m turn right into the "Siedlung". Shortly afterwards, the Altstädter Weg crosses the road and you turn left into it. Follow this road, which is called Obere Straße after crossing Badstraße, for approx. 800 m. You will come to Sankt Lorenzo. You pass the Sankt Lorenz church and at the end of the street you meet the Pirnaer Landstraße again. Follow this road to the right and then turn right again about 50 m further on. Crossing a beautiful and old bridge that leads over the Wesenitz, you reach the Bischofsweg, which you follow for a while.At the next junction, turn right onto Helmsdorfer Straße.From there you go to Rennersdorf-Neudörfel and further into the Wesenitz valley, but you need full concentration for the short passage on the S 159 state road. Follow the circular trail marked with a red dot to the Buschmühle, which was formerly used as a grist and board mill. You now leave the Wesenitz valley with an ascent until you reach the rest area at Röthensdorfer Weg.From there you turn left and reach Lauterbach. After passing through the village, turn right towards Langenwolmsdorf at the community pond.The path leads past several wind turbines. Shortly afterwards you reach Langenwolmsdorf - a typical village of forest farms, where houses and farms are strung together like pearls on a necklace. A stop at the craftsmen's house (www.ratags.de) is a good place to get some refreshments and be impressed by the handicrafts.The cycle path continues down the valley to the S 159 state road, where you turn left towards Neustadt and take the next turn-off to Heeselicht. After 2.4 km you reach a junction where you turn right onto the Stolpen circular cycle path. After a steep and winding descent, you reach the Niederdorf of Langenwolmsdorf and the main road via the "Viebigt". Follow this road to the left for about 1 km until you reach Bahnhofstraße again. Turn left here to return to Stolpen railway station.