elbe cycle path
Fabulous Elbe landscapes between Lauenburg and Brunsbüttel
Take a ride down the elbe cycle path* through Schleswig-Holstein, from Lauenburg to Brunsbüttel. The route follows the banks of Germany’s second longest river – the Elbe – over a distance of 170 km. Along Elbe banks you ride past beaches, little islands and long sandbanks. Nature and culture lovers really get their money’s worth here, as there are attractive sights along the way to add to the romantic countryside viewpoints. After stretches of beech groves, exclusive villa districts and dreamy little towns, the route takes you to the major shipping hub of Hamburg.
In 2007, the elbe cycle path* once again came top in an ADFC survey of cycle paths.
Route and sights of interest
In Schleswig-Holstein, the elbe cycle path* passes through the towns of Geesthacht, Hamburg, Wedel, Elmshorn and Glückstadt – all places of interest with much to discover. For instance, the Elbe Shipping Museum and the ‘Palmschleuse’ lock in Lauenburg. Would you prefer a nostalgic trip on the steam engine Karoline? Then you should definitely plan a stop at Geesthacht. The Hanseatic city of Hamburg offers something to cater for every taste. On a trip around the port, a walk along the Alster, a night at the theatre or a day at Hagenbeck Zoo, you can enjoy all the flair of this great city. In Wedel you ride along the planet discovery trail, and it’s worth making a stop at the Ernst-Barlach Museum.
Little and large ships
Have you ever seen Germany’s smallest ferry? At weekends in Seester you take it across the Krückau (a tributary of the Elbe). You continue through Glückstadt, with its historic old town, until you reach your final destination of Brunsbüttel. Here you should visit the locks at the mouth of the Kiel Canal and along the Kiel Canal towpath. With a bit of luck, you’ll catch one of the famous cruise liners passing.
Getting there and back
There are rail connections to the city of Hamburg and the towns of Wedel, Elmshorn and Glückstadt. You can bring your bike on the train.
Terrain and difficulty of the route
Terrain:
The route follows directly alongside the banks of the Elbe or country roads with little traffic. Most of the cycle path is tarmacked or has a water-bound surface. All in all, the path is very comfortable to ride on.
Relief:
The route only features small changes in altitude. Due to the common westerly winds, we recommend riding alongside the Elbe in its upstream direction.
Signage:
The Elbe cycle path is signposted all the way and can be recognised from its own logo.
Information boards:
Information boards in the region around Geesthacht offer interesting facts about the nature reserves of Besenhorster Sandberge and Hohes Elbufer. There are also information boards pointing out nature reserves in the Pinneberger Elbmarsch. In the Wilstermarsch you will find information on points of cultural and historic interest along the way.
Difficulty level:
This is a low-difficulty route which is suitable for touring cyclists and riders on day trips as well as families with children cycling themselves.
Places to stop or stay the night
There are picnic areas, refuges and covered bicycle sheds which can be locked up all the way along the Elbe cycle path. Restaurants and cafes, some of which have views directly onto the Elbe, will provide you with a bite to eat during your ride. There are accommodation options in the form of categorised ‘bed and bike’ establishments, hotels, guest houses, youth hostels and campsites. You can find a directory of accommodation and restaurants at www.elberadweg.de, and categorised ‘bed and bike’ establishments along the Elbe at www.bettundbike.de.
Bicycle hire and repair service
There are bicycle hire and repair services available at almost every significant town along the entire route. You can find a directory of selected establishments at www.elberadweg.de.
GPS-Data
You can download data for gps-devices, digital maps or google earth. The data is provided for the whole cycle route and for the following stages:
stage 1: Lauenburg – Hamburg
stage 2: Hamburg – Wedel
stage 3: Wedel – Glückstadt
stage 4: Glückstadt – Brunsbüttel
data for the total route
download digital data (zip file gpx, trk, kml, ovl | 0,2 MB)
Reading tips and maps
bikeline ‘Elberadweg 2’ (Elbe Cycle Path 2)
Scale 1:75,000
Available from the Schleswig-Holstein Binnenland Tourismus e.V. (Schleswig-Holstein Inland Tourism Association)
or in bookshops
12,40 €
Spiralo Naturerlebnis Elbe (Elbe Nature Experience, spiral-bound)
A travel guide with a map of cycle paths
Scale 1:50,000, BVA
9,95 €
Bielefelder Kompakt-Spiralo (compact, spiral-bound map)
Scale 1:75,000, BVA
9,95 €
Spiralo Elberadweg Magdeburg-Cuxhaven (Elbe cycle path form Magdeburg to Cuxhaven, spiral-bound)
A travel guide with a map of cycle paths, BVA
15,95 €
Information
You can find more information at www.elberadweg.de.
Tourismusleitstelle Elberadweg Nord
Schlossstrasse 10
21354 Bleckede
Phone: +49 (0)58 52-95 14 51
Fax: +49 (0)58 52-95 14 99
nord@elberadweg.de
www.elberadweg.de
erlebnisreich
Tourism and nature centre for the Duchy of Lauenburg
Stadthauptmannshof
Hauptstrasse 150
23879 Mölln
Phone: +49 (0)45 42–85 68 60
Fax: +49 (0)45 42-85 68 65
erlebnisreich@hlms.de
www.hlms.de
Unterelbe Tourismus e.V.
Große Nübelstrasse 31
25348 Glücksstadt
+49 (0)4124-608328
+49 (0)4124-937586
info@holstein-tourismus.de
www.holstein-tourismus.de
downloads
- GPS-Data_Elbe (143.73 kB)
