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Canoe Experience on the Upper river Elbe

Saxon Switzerland – Dresden - Meissen

by Jana Malschewski, Dietrich Kloss and Heiko M. Kriegel

Saxon Switzerland		Baroque city of Dresden		Meissen – City of white gold

The river Elbe with its extraordinary banks is worth travelling from the picturesque and historical point of view. When you plan to organize a canoe and camping trip at the river Elbe – we would like to assist you with the help of this little brochure.

 

The trip on the river Elbe, passing the Saxon Switzerland, the baroque city of Dresden and also Meissen – the origin of white gold – the Meissen porcelain – could be travelled within two to three days. But we recommend spending a little more time here.

 

A short detour to the most beautiful sights to the left and right of the river is going to make this tour a special adventure for young and old.

 

Arrival

If you arrive by car we would recommend using our canoe station in Dresden as your base. To use the first day for paddling optimally, you should plan your arrival for the pre-evening.

 

 

First Stage

With your luggage for 2-3 days, a tent and canoe you start your paddle-tour in the morning at Schmilka, a town bordering the Czech Republic, Elbe-km 2.

Who can start really early in the morning will often be accompanied by thick fog which is right above the water of the river. As soon as the sun starts shining in the valley the fog will disappear very quickly. For the first 6 km you will follow the old quarry at the “Schrammstein” area on the right banks.

 

Suggestion: The transfer of the boats by car or train takes about 3-4 hours. If you wish, we are glad to help you to organize the transfer for you. So you can enjoy your day even better.

 

Soon you are going to see a little guest house / restaurant on the left side (Elbe-km 8). You can use the little pier of the restaurant for a second breakfast or your lunch. The town of Bad Schandau is located 2 km away from the »Ziegelscheune« This little and adorable town is well known for its spas which are specialized in helping with rheumatic diseases. We also recommend to take a closer look at this town (Elbe-km 10.2).

 

Advice: Please always secure your boats with a big lock. You can put your personal belongings in a locker at the Nationalparkhaus (National Park Information Centre).

The Saxon Switzerland National Park Information Centre is opposite the city hall, close by the river Elbe. In this Information and Visitor’s Centre is a 10 meter high wall of artificial rock, you can go on a virtual flight over the Elbe sandstone mountains or watch a multi-vision-show. Also young paddlers will enjoy the visit at the centre, because you can feel, touch and smell some exhibited objects. If you like hiking a lot you should join a public tour with a local ranger in Stadt Wehlen or Rathen and explore the area together. Dates and times are given at the info centre.

You have been paddling for a while now and almost reached the goal of the day – Stadt Wehlen. If you still feel like walking uphill to a special fortress, you can get onshore in Königstein (Elbe-km 16.2) at the ferry on the left and secure your canoe.

 

Königstein Fortress is a must-see for most visitors of the Saxon Switzerland. All year round and for every age it offers interesting facts, history but also modern things like various festivals and an event-restaurant in the basement- the casemates of the fortress. Standing on this fortress gives you also a god opportunity to enjoy the view over the Saxon Switzerland!
Because the fortress is about 3 km away from the ferry you should plan to spend app. 3h for this trip.

 

Suggestion: You can save lots of time if you use the little „Fortress Express“-train up-/downhill.

Our camping site in Stadt Wehlen is about 1h downstream from Königstein. Please be careful at crossing the ferry in Rathen (Elbe-km 22.7). This is the oldest, still working ferry of Saxony – still hooked to a cable (in German it is called “Gierseilfähre”).

At the end of an exciting day on and offshore the river Elbe you reach the canoe station of our sports club in Wehlen. After setting up your tents, refreshing yourself you might like to end the day with a campfire. – Or are you still fresh and ready for a cultural event?

 

Camp fires need to be ordered in advance because a special permission by the city is needed. Please contact us.

 

The »Felsenbühne Rathen«, is waiting for you. It is a great natural open-air stage for theatres and concerts in the middle of the mountains (usually concerts/theatres are played on weekends only, May through September).
It doesn’t matter whether you are interested in a theatre play like “Winnetou” or an opera, e.g. “The marksman.” (Der Freischütz) – it is always worth a visit! Check the schedule of the theatre and plan your trip based on it, you just stay one day longer and enjoy the small towns, culture and the nature surrounding you.

 

More recommendations for Wehlen und its surroundings

Hiking! You can do it either individually with a map of the area or a guided hiking tour at the Saxon Switzerland with a ranger of the National Park.
A famous place to go to is the lake “Amselsee” near the natural theatre stage in Rathen. You are invited to step into a rowing boat and row for a while on that picturesque lake. You can also explore the towns Rathen and Wehlen. There can be found something for everyone. Many restaurants and cafés in Wehlen and Rathen can also be reached easily by foot. But who doesn’t like a little walk, just goes to our neighbour’s restaurant to enjoy the delicious dishes.

 

Our camping site in Stadt Wehlen

In 1927 our canoe club, VKD, leased the real estate to the left and right of the path going from Wehlen to Rathen. Address Hofewiese 20, on the right side of the river Elbe at Elbe-km 24.9, became a favourite address for national and also international paddlers. For more than 40 years the member of our executive board called “Bobby” has taken care of this place. Bobby and his wife are always there to make your stay in Wehlen enjoyable. Especially in 2002 and 2003 a lot of renovating work had to be done because the big Elbe flood in August 2002 damaged the campground badly. Totally new built is the wooden cabin with 24 sleeping places in the attic. So today you can even sleep inside in the warmth if the weather outside is not so good.

 

We would like to thank all the people who donated money and helped us reconstructing our canoe station in Wehlen after the big flood. Thank you!

 

Kurt Oggel cabin at the campground in Wehlen

 

Second Stage

Dresden-Tolkewitz at the canoe station in Dresden		Elbe bridge in Pirna		Estuary of the river Wesenitz at Elbe- km 36,2

After one or two nights at our camping site in Wehlen you can go on paddling to Dresden. 24 km further downstream there is our canoe station in Dresden-Tolkewitz. On this trip you can find the first chance to have a meal already at Elbe-km 29.8 – left side in Obervogelgesang. Go on passing the Elbe bridges in Pirna, before reaching the estuary of the small river Wesenitz (Elbe-km 36.2).It’s a picturesque setting for a little picnic or for refreshing yourself in the cool waters of the small stream during summer.

 

Soon you can see already the TV tower and Pillnitz Park & Palace „waving“ at you from afar. You only need to pass the small ferry in Birkwitz and there it is. We recommend you to plan a little more time to enjoy the terrific setting of the park. Secure your boats near Elbe-km 43, right side, and walk to see the oldest camellia of Europe (you can also buy little camellia plants here), the Orangey, the cute little gardens which are hidden behind the large hedges (also called the hedge gardens) and don’t forget the gondola of Augustus the Strong who ruled over Saxony in the early 18th century.

Paddling again, the next 5 km will pass by quickly. Seeing the church “Maria at the water” to your right, the dockyard to your left and the beautiful villas of Dresden-Laubegast. You reach your today´s destination on the left side at Elbe-km 48.3.

 

Start at VKD canoe station

You can start exploring and getting to know some historical background information of our city with a classical sightseeing tour by bus or tram. It is easy to go from “Postplatz” to the famous Zwinger courtyard, the Semper Opera House, the Residence Palace (from the top of the tower you have a great view of the city) and the Catholic Court Church.

Close to the Zwinger and the opera house there is a tourist informationcentre where you can ask for informational material, maps and further advice or buy some souvenirs. Walk from the Catholic Court Church, passing the Procession of Princes, to the newly reconstructed Church of our Lady, the consecration is taking place on October 30th, 2005! Looking down from the »Balcony of Europe«, Bruehl’s Terrace you see the river Elbe and the new town of Dresden.

Back to the centre of the old town you can walk past the cultural palace to the big market square »Altmarkt«, visit the city hall or go shopping in some shops or the larger shopping malls. Some good food and many museums are not rare either!

Don’t forget to visit the new town (Dresden-Neustadt) which is situated on the right banks of the Elbe river. Look at the Golden Horseman, walk down King’s Street (Königstrasse) and enjoy the evening at one or more pubs that are around. It is also easy to get back to our canoe station by tram (line 6) all night long.
Near our canoe station there are located some technical wonders of Dresden - the probably most famous bridge “Blue Wonder” Elbe bridge, the oldest cable car of the world and one of the first and still working funicular railways (both on the right side).

 

Enjoying some exciting days in Dresden, getting to know its history is always easy and possible. Just look up for further information before starting your trip and you won’t miss any important sights.

 

 

Third Stage

Your destination of the day = the city of Meissen

... from where you can easily get back to Dresden by train or we come to pick you up. The paddling distance is about 33 km.

Shortly after taking off from our pier you are passing under the Blue Wonder Elbe bridge, see the beautiful castles on the right Elbe sloping ground and reach the city centre of Dresden soon. Paddle through three more bridges while enjoying once more the sights of the historical centre of our town and continue for Radebeul. Before reaching this smaller town you pass some more districts of Dresden, pass two more bridges and see already the vineyards on the right slopes of the river Elbe– still a little further downstream. The best place for lunch break is also coming up. It is the windmill in Dresden-Gohlis, on the left side at Elbe-km 65. Go on after your break passing Radebeul to your right, the picturesque landscape to both sides and finally reach Meissen in the afternoon. We recommend you to plan a little more time here for some sightseeing. Secure your boats at the canoe club in Meissen(Elbe-km 81.6) and cross the Elbe river by foot.

 

The Meissen cathedral and Castle Albrechtsburg, the old town and the porcelain manufactory would like to welcome you. So you can spend a wonderful and quiet afternoon here in the small town of Meissen.

 

We hope that you have enjoyed some great days in and around Dresden. We still would like to wish you a comfortable journey further down the river Elbe. And maybe you have liked our area so much that you will come back soon. We are glad to welcome you again – at any time.

 

Reservations…

 ... can be made for the canoe station in Dresden, Wehlen and Meissen at the following contacts:

 

VKD Camping ground Wehlen, Mr.  Dieter Sinde
telephone 0351 – 310 47 98
cell-phone 0173 – 443 52 19

 

VKD Camping ground Dresden
telephone 0351 – 310 89 19
cell-phone

 

Canoe Club Meissen (SG Kanu Meissen), Mrs. Ilse Matuschka
telephone 03521 – 45 47 57
e-Mail info@kanu-meissen.de

 

Pictures: Saxon Switzerland National Park Information Centre; Theater "Landesbühnen Sachsen", Hagen König; Castle Albrechtsburg in Meissen; Porcelain Manufactory Meissen; Heinz Göldner, André Säuberlich, Heiko M. Kriegel

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© Verein Kanusport Dresden e.V.