This is a tour length of about 760 miles (by bicycle! - read on) from near the source of the River Elbe in the Krkonoše Mountains (Elbe Spring, 543 51 Špindlerův Mlýn, Czechia) of the northern Czech Republic, near the border with Poland,
(refer to URL: https://www.hkregion.cz/dr-de/101060-pramen-labe-elbquelle.html)
before crossing much of Bohemia (western half of the Czech Republic), then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 68 miles northwest of Hamburg.

Add another 760 miles for the journey from Calais to the starting point at Špindlerův Mlýn and roughly 450 miles from the Cuxhaven to Calais which gives you a tour distance of nearly 2000 miles.

Alternatively, you can travel from Harwich to Hoek van Holland and back via the same port, which, for many people, would be the most sensible option. This would give you a distance of 640 miles to the start of the river and about 300 miles from Cuxhaven to the Hoek van Holland. A total tour distance of 1700 miles.

At this stage, I would like to point out what may be an important factor for your tour; you can ride the full length of the tour following the course of the River Elbe on your bicycle as well as by whatever motorised vehicle you may use - albeit by using different roads.

I will endeavour to cover the River Elbe route for both cyclists and for those with vehicles by giving you links that will cover both types of tour as you may well want to include some cycling in your otherwise motoring tour. I know many caravanners and motorhomers like to take their bicycles with them and on this tour there is no excuse not to ride them.

Map showing the course of the River Elbe:

Map above courtesy of Wikipedia at URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe

Cities and Towns

The River Elbe passes through a number of towns, listed below, as it passes through the Czech Republic and Germany.

List above courtesy of Wikipedia at URL: Rhine - Wikipedia

Other Useful Links: