Elbe Cycle Route
Welcome to the Elbe
You can cycle from Lauenburg to Brunsbüttel on the Elbe cycle route through Schleswig-Holstein. Along a distance of 170 km, the route runs along the banks of Germany’s second-longest river: the Elbe. On the Elbe bank, you cycle past beaches, small islands and long sand banks. The route will delight nature and culture lovers, as in addition to romantic lookouts in the countryside, you will discover attractive landmarks at the side of the road. After cycling through beech forests, exclusive residential areas and picturesque villages, the route leads towards the port metropolis of Hamburg.
Along the route
Why not take a visit, for example, to the Elbe Maritime Museum and the Palmschleuse lock in Lauenburg? Or would you rather take a nostalgic trip on the steam locomotive, Karoline? Then you should definitely plan to stop over in Geesthacht. The Hanseatic city of Hamburg has something to offer everyone. On a harbour tour, a walk along the Alster, a visit to the theatre of a day at Hagenbeck’s Animal Park, you can fully enjoy the flair of the metropolis. In Wedel, you can travel along the Planet Trail, and the Ernst Barlach Museum is also definitely worth a visit. Do you know Germany’s smallest ferry? In Seester, you can cross the Krückau (a tributary of the Elbe) on the weekends. Further along, you will come to Glückstadt with its historic old town, finally arriving in Brunsbüttel. Here, you should pay a visit to the lockage at the exit of the Kiel Canal and the Kiel Canal route. If you are lucky, you will see one of the famous luxury liners passing through.
Good to know
Arrival and departure
You will find travel connections to the rail network Deutsche Bahn in the cities of Hamburg, Wedel, Elmshorn and Glückstadt. The trains can accommodate bicycles.
Route conditions and degree of difficulty
- The route runs in close proximity to the bank of the Elbe or across low-traffic country roads. The cycle route is largely asphalted or has a water-resistant coating. Overall, the route is easy or very easy to cycle.
- The route has only gentle gradients. Due to the frequent west wind location, it is recommended to cycle upstream of the Elbe.
- The Elbe cycle route is fully signposted and marked with logos.
- In the region around Geesthacht, information boards provide useful information on the nature conservation areas of Besenhorster Sandberge and Hohes Elbufer. You will also find information boards in the Pinneberger Elbmarsch regarding nature conservation areas. In Wilstermarsch, you will find information on cultural-historical features at the side of the road.
- The route is easy to cycle and is suitable for tours and day-trippers, as well as for families whose children can cycle on their own.
Rest stops and overnight accommodation
There are rest stops, shelters as well as lockable and covered bicycle parking along the whole Elbe cycle route. Restaurants and cafés, some of which have a view of the Elbe, invite you to take a small refreshment during your tour. You will find overnight accommodation at classified Bed & Bike facilities, hotels, guest houses, youth hostels and camp sites. A list of accommodations and restaurants can be found at www.elbe-cycle-route.com ; classified Bed & Bike facilities at the Elbe can be found at www.bettundbike.de.
Your contact
Koordinierungsstelle Elberadweg Nord c/o Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH
Elbstraße 59
21481 Lauenburg/ Elbe