Magpie Cycle Route

Short description

Coming from the Saxon town of Crossen, the Elster cycle path leads to Saxony-Anhalt. From Koßweda, the route runs through the beautiful landscape of Saxony-Anhalt northwards towards Zeitz, then on to Leipzig and finally to Halle/Saale.

Description

The Elster cycle path follows the White Elster river from its source in Bohemia to its confluence with the Saale river south of Halle, covering a distance of approximately 250 km. The section in Saxony-Anhalt runs from Koßweda to Halle/Saale with a small exception in the Leipzig region, extending over almost 100 km.

Route description

The Elster cycle path follows the White Elster river from its source in Bohemia to its confluence with the Saale river south of Halle, covering a distance of approximately 250 km. It starts in the Czech Republic, reaches Saxony for the first time near Bad Elster, then passes through Thuringia, between Wetterzeube and Profen in Saxony-Anhalt, then again through Saxony before finally returning to Saxony-Anhalt west of Schkeuditz. It connects cities such as Oelsnitz, Plauen, Greiz, Gera, Zeitz, Leipzig, and Halle. The route often leads through rural roads and hilly terrain in the area of the Pirk and Pöhl reservoirs. The Elster cycle path is significantly better developed south of Gera. From Leipzig, you can follow along the Luppe river to the Luppadamm near Halle.

 

Further information

The White Elster river originates in the Elster Mountains west of Kapellenberg at an elevation of 724 m above sea level. Its source is located in Vyhledy southeast of As in the Czech Republic, where it is called Bely Halstrov. Even though places like Bad Elster and Elsterberg feature the feathered magpie in their coat of arms, the name of the river is not derived from the bird. The name Elster has its origins in Slavic and means the Hurrying One. Due to the existence of the Black Elster, which flows from Lusatia to the Elbe river, the White Elster is distinguished by its name.

The 257 km long river crosses the Saxon Vogtland region with the cities of Oelznitz and Plauen, East Thuringia with Greiz and Gera, and the Leipzig Lowland with Zeitz and Leipzig. The course of the Elster river within Saxony-Anhalt is interrupted. It enters the territory of Saxony-Anhalt for the first time at Wetterzeube (between Gera and Zeitz), leaves it behind after Profen, flows through Saxony again from Pegau to Schkeuditz, and finally empties into the Saale river south of Halle at an elevation of approximately 80 m above sea level. The White Elster river has a total catchment area of 5,384 km² and collects around 40 streams and tributaries such as the Trieb, Göltzsch, Weida, and Pleiße rivers along its course. Within Leipzig, it bifurcates into two branches, the northern one remaining the Elster and the southern one named Luppe, which flows into the Saale river near Schkopau.

www.elsterradweg.de

Saale-Unstrut-Tourismus e.V., Lindenring 34, 06618 Naumburg, Tel. 03445/233790

 Map: Verlag Dr. Barthel, Scale 1:35000

 

Safety information

Elster Cycle Path
- Cycle path may be impassable in some sections, use of roads may be necessary
- Forest area Tiergarten between Zeitz and Zangenberg has limited access: from 20.06.2013, a detour route is marked on forest paths, on short sections (approx. 20 m) bikes must be pushed
- Alternative route of the Elster Cycle Path via Maßnitz: at the junction at E.-Thälmann-Stadion in Zeitz, follow the signposted detour (you can find a plan for the detour at the bottom of the page www.sachsen-anhalt-tourismus.de under Download)