Calbe (Saale): Roland, Cycling Routes and River Landscapes

Calbe (Saale) can be explored through a range of interests: local history, cycling, the landscape along the Saale and seasonal trips on the water. Historical sights offer a different focus from cycling tours, paths through green spaces or seasonal water connections. The places and activities below can help you plan your days according to your own interests.

Local history and notable landmarks

Calbe’s Roland statue stands in front of the town hall. This 4.5-metre-high sandstone figure was unveiled in 1976. The Heimatstube Calbe local history museum is housed in former guest rooms above the Brauner Hirsch inn. Its exhibitions and information panels explore the town’s history. The two places offer different ways to discover Calbe’s past: a single Roland statue in front of the town hall and a local history museum with exhibits and information panels. Onion cultivation is also part of Calbe’s history and present. It began in 1591 and continues to this day.

The Bismarck Tower is 30 metres high and the tallest tower of its kind in Saxony-Anhalt. Together, the Roland statue, local history museum and Bismarck Tower offer historical points of interest to consider when planning your trip.

Cycling and paths through green spaces

Calbe has five different cycling routes, with options for experienced cyclists and families. The Saale Cycle Route through Calbe offers another point of reference: its renovated western section runs on the town side, while the eastern side is quieter and closer to nature. This contrast reflects two different route profiles to weigh up when choosing a cycling tour.

The paths in the Grüne Lunge (Green Lung) are suitable for jogging, running, cycling and walking. The area around Calbe also offers a variety of landscapes, including protected biotopes, meadows and groves, as well as the reed-fringed Gribehner ponds and pools. Alongside cycling routes, there are also paths and landscapes for other forms of outdoor activity.

The Wartenberg recreation area lies about four kilometres west of Calbe. It has a small animal park with a petting enclosure and a playground. The nearby Elbe-Saale-Winkel offers cycling, hiking, canoeing, water sports, camping and nature experiences. This regional range of activities extends beyond cycling, although not all of them are located directly in Calbe.

The Saale and seasonal boat trips

The Calbe cable ferry crosses the Saale to Gottesgnaden and is one of the few cable ferries in Germany. It is powered solely by the current of the Saale. The ferry operates seasonally; check the operating arrangements before your trip.

During the milder seasons, the Saalefee passenger boat travels between Calbe and Bernburg. Check this seasonal passenger service before your trip as well. Calbe also has a public boat slipway on the Saale. It is accessible to boaters; as access conditions may change, check them locally before launching.

For an overview of the wider area, see: Salzland District.