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Dresden Harley Days Preview
July 25th to 27th. 2025, Harley‘s rumble Dresden and the Elbe Valley The definite highlights of a Dresden visit!
Saxonia‘s Dresden is one of the certain touristic highlights of East Germany – or rather will be – when the town will be recover from extensive restoration and construction works in the city‘s former historic center. While some restorations on the major attractions around the (now pedestrians only…) Augustus bridge have been completed, the collapse of the „Carola“ bridge (and subsequent demolition of the bridge parts still standing) on September 11th 2024 has created traffic challenges for the people of South Dresden. Fortunately, „Dresden Harley Days“ are held on the northern exit of the Elbe River from downtown Dresden.
The partially reconstructed old center of Dresden, as seen from under the „Marienbridge“ next to the Volksfest site and just next to the „Rinne“ where Dresden Harley Days are held since 2017.
In Summertime, there are so many different celebrations, carnivals and events going on in Dresden that it is difficult to follow up! Ballons are launched from the Elbe River shore just opposite the old town center.
The iconic Weisseritztalbahn Narrow Gauge Steam Railway runs on a daily schedule from Freital to Hainsberg, near the Saxonian/Czech border. The tracks are easy to follow only when leaving the Weisseritz Vally above Dippoldiswalde running next to NR 120.
The iconic „Bastei“ rocks as seen from the western shore of the Elbe River. Since the train tracks from Dresden to Prag run on the West side, access from the West is only possible by ferry and walking- A LONG walk too!
What today is called „die Rinne“ has for centuries been an overflow in the Elbe River which here, just about to exit the Dresden Basin to the North, twists snakelike in a sharp „S“ turn, often neighboringflooding the area which was in use as animal reserve for the neighboring slaughterhouses, now trade fair „Messe Dresden“. Since the Elbe River collects the waters of almost the entire Czech Republic as far as down to the Austrian Border, floods are completely out of control of the German authorities – so when scheduling any event at this location, it is mandatory to look for the Czech weather forecast.
Spectacular impressions: Moritzburg castle at sunset! A lone „Simson“ moped rider is enjoying one of Saxonia‘s most scenic castles in the middle of an artificial lake. By this time, you should look for getting a seat in a restaurant in downtown Moritzburg!
Despite being one of the few Harley-events that asks for an entrance fee, Dresden Harley Days are always well attended! The nearby „Volksfest“ is also running at the same time in July!
Harley Days Dresden feature a great live music program on a big stage. In front of the stage, Saturdays bike show is lined up for presentation.
Situated just off Autobahn A4 in Dresden Radebeul, Harley-Davidson Dresden is one of the most active East-German Harley-Dealers and present at the event with the full 2025 model line!
Special highlights of this years event will be a „35 Years Fat Boy“ exhibition and the stuntshow of new „official“ Harley-Stuntman Chris Lietsch. The traditional bikeshow will be held on Saturday and the big Harley-parade on Sunday will wrap up the event. Due to Dresden‘s infrastructure issues and often surprising construction sites, soccer games and other public events, the parade route remains somewhat „flexible“. Parts of the entrance fee will be handed to Sonnenstrahl e.V. for cancer affected kids, so during „Dresden Harley Days“ the Harley-riders again are riding for a good cause. Anyway, visiting „Dresden Harley Days“, you always should add a few days for visiting Dresden, the Elbe Valley and Saxonia‘s Switzerland. Here‘s a few tips for your ride!
GO EAST: Dresden Downtown
Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic heritage.
After the re-unification of Germany as the capital city of the German State of Saxony has become a shopping town and tourist magnet of outstanding proportions! All tourist attractions and shopping quarters are within minutes from the Dresden Harley Days event site and can also be reached by tram or bus! Most sightseeing attractions are concentrated closely together in the history city center, the baroque buildings now almost completely rebuilt or restored. These include but don‘t stop at the Zwinger Royal Palace, the Japanese Palace, the Taschenbergpalais, the Pillnitz Castle and two landmark churches: the Catholic Hofkirche and the Lutheran Frauenkirche. With the re-unification – and the author has been to Dresden in 1991 and 1992 when steam was operating
under the „Deutsche Reichsbahn“ banner – the face of the inner city has changed considerably and much has been „westernized“. The inner city is completely in the hands of Western brandnames, the local „color“ can still be found in outer districts – or smaller towns outside the city center. Prices for food and accommodation are somewhat cheaper outside the city limits too. However, there are certain things to be taken under consideration: English language in the East states of Germany is still not very widespread – and restaurant kitchens out in the countryside often close down as early as 8 pm! So plan your visits and breaks accordingly – at the Dresden Harley Days, the party will go on well into the night!
Dresden Zwinger: a „must see“ for friends of royal castles and gardens! The Zwinger was built in 1709 as an orangery and garden as well as a representative festival area. It has been restored and remains Dresdens top tourist attraction!
Semperoper: The Saxon State Opera and the concert hall of the Staatskapelle Dresden (Saxon State Orchestra) is also home to the Semperoper Ballett. Only in COVID times Dresden was THAT empty.
View on the Royal Castle Dresden, now home of the Dresden State Art Collections, famous for its splendors of the historic treasure chamber as it existed since 1733. Left is the „Sanctissimae Trinitatis“ cathedral.
Yenidzde tabac factory. Yenidze is a former cigarette factory building, built between 1907 and 1909. Today it is used as an office building. It is notable for its Moorish Revival exterior design which borrows design elements from mosques and the Alhambra in Spain.
GO EAST: Around Dresden & bad weather ideas
With its century long history and one of Europes main powers, Dresden is home to more art collections, museums and palaces than many other German cities!
A rich heritage in science, transport, art and medicine is reflected in many museums and even still active steam-powered locomotives and boats that survived World War II and the GRD years. Scenic Palaces and Palace garden are within easy reach from the Dresden Harley Days eventsite, with just a few examples listed here. The www.dresden.de website offers information on the opportunities in many languages. And believe us: There are things to see and visit in Dresden for decades to come!
„Das Blaue Wunder“ (Blue Wonder) bridge in Pirna south of Dresden is a famous girder construction, leading to a cable-car railway station on the East side of the Elbe River. It is also a main traffic route,
Pillnitz Palace is a restored Baroque castle at the eastern end of the city of Dresden. It is located on the right bank of the River Elbe in the former village of Pillnitz and can be reached by road or ship. It was the summer residence of many electors and kings of Saxony.
What looks like a church or monastery in a dangerous flooding area of the Elbe is actually the old waterworks building, now rebuilt as apartments. So if you like your apartment to be flooded now and then, check it out now…
Churches, Castles and wineyards line the Elbe River north and south of Dresden. „Lignerschloss“ Palace and „Eckberg“ rest in the hills on the East side of the Elbe River, with a park reaching down to the Elbe.
GO EAST: Moritzburg Palace
One of the most scenic and spectacular destinations to reach from the Dresden Harley Days is the Moritzburg Palace
Less than 20 km from the eventsite the original castle, built from 1542 to 1546, was a hunting lodge for Moritz of Saxony, then Duke of Saxony. The interior of the castle is furnished with examples of opulent baroque decor from the time of Augustus the Strong. The walls are covered in 17th century gold-gilded leather. Many rooms‘ furnishings are dedicated to courtly hunting. Walks around the castle are free of charge, so is the view from the shores of the lake. There are numerous other baroque buildings in and around Moritzburg, with the castle reflecting in the lake especially on sunrise or sunset. In the evening hours, tourists have somewhat evacuated the area – and restaurants close down early. Moritzburg is one of the few palaces that can be reached by a regular operating steam train on the 750 mm Radebeul – Radeburg line!
From the lake shore, the massive dam is leading to the palace.
The „entrance gate“ guardhouses on the island on the South side of the castle following a long walk over the dam.
For vehicle enthusiasts, a collection of royal carriages is shown in the entrance hall.
Inside the historical „porcelain quarter“ exhibition displays porcelain depicting hunting, exotic and mythological motifs as well as animal figurines that are relating to Moritzburg‘s original determination as a hunting lodge. Outside stone figures invite a close look.
The castle has four round towers and was erected on a symmetrical artificial island in a lake just outside Moritzburg.
The interior of the castle is furnished with examples of opulent baroque decor from the time of Augustus the Strong.
Detail on one of the monumental figures at Schloss Moritzburg. Shoe fashion has changed since baroque days.
At sunset, the shore lake roads and walkway offer spectacular views on the castle which is reflecting in the lake. In the east, young motorcycle riders preserve the GDR heritage of Simson and MZ motorcycles, then bread & butter 2.stroke motorcycles
GO EAST: Dresden at full steam!
Narrow Gauge Steam Railways in Saxonia ! There are an impressive number of 750 mm steam operated railways in Saxonia, most of which are operated by the Saxon Steam Railway Company or private initiatives.
Out of Obercarsdorf, the Weisseritz Valley Railway attacks the last kilometers uphills with a long train. The Weisseritz Valley Railway was the second Saxon narrow gauge railway to be built, and is also considered to be the oldest public narrow gauge railway in Germany still in operation.
Weisseritz Valley Railway: The first section to Schmiedeberg was put into operation on 1 November 1882. On 3 September 1883, when the spectacular Schmiedeberg viaduct was built, trains reached the terminal station at Kurort Kipsdorf. A Saxon IV K crosses the main road without train while checking the track after a busy steam weekend in August 2020. If you are already in the area, you can also visit the 750 mm line of Cranzahl – Oberwiesenthal.
The Weißeritz Valley Railway connects Freital, near Dresden, with the spa of Kipsdorf in the Ore Mountains, and follows the valley of the Red Weißeritz, then National road 170 on which it can be tracked by motorcycle from Dippoldiswalde to the end at Kurort Kipsdorf, just a few km from the Czech borderline.
Not far from the Harley-Davidson Dresden Shop in Radebeul, the Lößnitzgrundbahn („Lössnitz Valley Railway“) connects Radebeul with Radeburg. Authentic equipment is used for operation and in Radebeul, the steam trains run tram like on public roads. 10 Steam engines and one diesel are available, many in daily use, older trains operate on the line for special events.
A lesser known, yet even more spectacular 750 mm narrow gauge steam railway can be visited Pressnitz Valley Railway runs from Jöhstadt to Wolkenstein, operating super rare Saxon IV K. For Saxonias winding 750 mm tracks, Sächsische Maschinenfabrik developed an engine with eight coupled wheels and which had a larger boiler and adhesive weight. Unlike its predecessors, it was given two driven bogies in order to be able to cope with winding routes despite its length. The Pressnitz Valley Railway was the last Saxon narrow gauge railway to be closed by the East German government, against protests of local enthusiasts who re-built a long part of the track in private work!
GO EAST: Saxon Switzerland
It is by far the most spectacular landscape of Saxonia if not East Germany: Saxon Switzerland in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains south of Dresden.
One of its main tourist attractions and destinations is the „Bastei“ a rock formation rising 194 metres (636 ft) above the Elbe River. The wild and jagged rocks of the Bastei were formed by water erosion over one million years ago. Used as „last stand“ fortress, now tourist attraction and open air theater, the Bastei can be reached by motorcycle from the East (land) side. Motorcycles can be parked not too far away and walking to the rock connecting bridge and fortress part is pretty much straight forward. The development of the Bastei was given a significant boost in 1826, the year the first inn building with overnight accommodations was built. After 1945 the number of visitors increased sharply in GDR times as the Bastei became a popular tourist destination. Between 1975 and 1979 the former inn was replaced by a large new building, now hotel, which can be recommended as a evening dinner stop after your visit.
The „classic“ Bastei view from the access walk to the rocks. In the late afternoon, the flow of tourists is running out and the light from the lower suns paints spectacular shadows onto the rocks.
View into the Elbe valley, and the ferry ports that allow hikers arriving by train to climb up to the rocks. As can be seen, it is a long way from the railway station on the West Elbe river side up to the Bastei!
In 1851, due to the steady increase in visitors, a wooden bridge was replaced by a solid sandstone bridge which is still standing today. It is 76.5 m long and its seven arches span a ravine 40 m deep.
View over the Bastei bridge to the Lilienstein rock formation. It is a greener „Monument Valley“ but the same erosion forms that are known from Arizona. Just closer to home!
GO EAST: Saxon Switzerland, Kirnitzschtalbahn & Lichtenhainer Waterfall
It might be a disappointment when its true „size“ - and artificial operation - is uncovered at a visit, but the Lichtenhain Waterfall is a very photogenic piece of landscape.
And consequently has become a popular visiting destination for local day visitors that either arrive by boat and tramway from Bad Schandau on the Elbe River. Good News for Harley-Riders: The Bad Schandau road bridge has been re-opened April 10th 2025 after being closed to traffic completely following the Dresden bridge collapse! So the easy route into the scenic Kirnitzschtal is open again! The line opened from Bad Schandau as far as the Lichtenhain Waterfall on Saturday 28 May 1898. The remainder of the line planned to reach to Kirnitzschschänke, now in Czech Republic, was never built for economic reasons. The tramway uses historical rolling stock built between 1925 and 1968, operating from Bad Schandau. The line is 7.9 kilometers long, 1000 mm gauge, electrified at 600 volts DC on the overhead line system, and uses four-wheeled motor coaches and trailers.
A great fotolocation when running, the original waterfall was not impressive enough for tourists, so the brook was dammed up by a pushable weir and water is regulated over the rocks.
Kirnitzschtal tramway is running through a scenic valley delivering the waters of the Kirnitzsch to the Elbe in Bad Schandau.
Motor cars and trailers were acquired from various East German cities and remain in operation as a true „Museum Tramway“ line in a spectacular landscape setting!
Kirnitzschtal tramway depot where modern and historic rollin stock is preserved and stored.
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