Discover Elsteraue

The best way to explore Elsteraue is along the Elster Cycle Path: The route crosses the municipality from Bornitz via Göbitz, Draschwitz, Ostrau, Reuden and Predel to Profen. Riverside scenery, protected floodplains and historic village centers give the cycling tour a variety of highlights. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the path provides a guiding thread, while the mill, church and village center offer cultural highlights. When choosing your accommodation, consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the cycle path or also include time to explore the villages.

Cycling and breaks in Elsteraue

At the Elster weir in Bornitz, there is a place to sit and enjoy the view, suitable for picnics and breaks. There are numerous places to stop between the new Elster Bridge in Bornitz and the Profen wildlife park. This gives you two distinct landmarks: a specific viewpoint with seating and a stretch of route with many opportunities to take a break. Around 32 information boards along the Elster Cycle Path between Bornitz and Profen explain what makes Elsteraue special. Their content may be updated. For your specific trip, check the latest route information, as conditions can change.

Floodplain scenery and old pollarded willows

The protected floodplain landscape includes old stands of pollarded willows, which you can explore by bicycle along the Elster Cycle Path. The route thus combines exercise with views of a characteristic landscape. The information boards along the way supplement this connection with nature with details about what makes Elsteraue special. You can plan your day to alternate between cycling, a break with a view, and a closer look at the landscape and villages.

Mill, village center and church tower

The Ostrau Twin Mill first began operating in 1210; the entire mill complex has changed very little to this day. Ostrau therefore offers a clearly dated historical landmark and a mill complex that has remained largely unchanged as a whole. In Predel, the Elster Cycle Path passes through the historic village center, with half-timbered houses and cobblestones. The steep, crooked spire of the west tower of Predel Church is considered a local landmark. The villages offer different highlights: in Ostrau, the long history of milling takes center stage, while in Predel, historic houses, cobblestones and the church tower shape the village's appearance.

Food and drink in Profen

In Profen, the Haus Landgasthof und Pension Zur Eiche serves Czech beer as well as Slavic or seasonal cuisine, with outdoor seating. Food and service may change. If you plan to visit, check the details beforehand.

The Burgenlandkreis as a wider travel destination

As a regional destination in its own right, the wider Burgenlandkreis offers another perspective. The Saale-Unstrut area is a tourism and wine region with Romanesque heritage, river valleys and archaeological sites; the Burgenlandkreis lies at the heart of this region. Terraced vineyards are among its distinctive landscape features. The Wine Route and the Romanesque Route serve as tourism routes; in the wider region, you can combine exploring by bicycle, boat, on foot or by car.

The cultural sites there also offer their own distinct themes. Naumburg Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 1, 2018, and is considered one of the most significant cultural monuments of the European High Middle Ages. Its architecture, stained-glass windows and sculptures are described as unique worldwide. The Goseck circular ditch enclosure is considered the earliest archaeological evidence of systematic observations of the sky. The monument, around 75 meters across, was fully excavated and precisely reconstructed at its original location. Thus, in the Burgenlandkreis, art history and archaeology stand as distinct regional themes alongside the cycling and landscape experiences in Elsteraue.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Langendorf, Eckartsberga, Wethau, Bad Bibra, Nebra, Droyßig, Teuchern, Meineweh.

Back to the main travel overview: Burgenlandkreis.