The Elberadweg — the Elbe Cycle Path — is one of Germany's most popular long-distance cycling routes, running 1260km from the river's source in the Czech Giant Mountains to its mouth in Hamburg. The stretch that passes through Pirna is among the best of it: flat, well-surfaced, and running directly beside the river with views of the sandstone hills rising on both banks.
From Pirna, the most rewarding direction is southeast into Saxon Switzerland — the cycling gets more scenic the further you go, passing through the villages of Wehlen, Rathen (the landing stage for the Bastei), and Königstein before crossing into the Czech Republic. The stretch northwest to Dresden is about 20km and takes around an hour and a half at a relaxed pace; the path runs along the river bank the whole way, passing the vineyard slopes above Pillnitz and the Dresden suburbs before reaching the city centre. Both directions can be done as out-and-back day rides from Pirna, or you can cycle one way and return by S-Bahn (bikes are permitted on S-Bahn trains outside peak hours with a bike ticket).