Cycling Holiday at the Baltic Sea

Most of the German rum imports are processed in Flensburg, however the town is better known for the company headquarters of a well-known mail-order business for adults and the register of traffic offenders. A visit to the harbour with its beautiful warehouses and the Museum Shipyard is an absolute must. The northern starting point of the Baltic Sea Cycle Route is located close to the town. If you have booked rental bikes they will be handed over here.

To begin with you will cycle along the Flensburg Fjord until you reach one of Germany´s most beautiful moated castles – the Renaissance castle in Glücksburg. From here you will cycle through the tranquil Angeln, the countryside between Flensburg and Schlei. A detour to the nature reserve Geltinger Birk, a coastal landscape with salt-flats, reed-marshes and sand dunes, is worthwhile.

In the morning you should plan a tour of Kappeln. In the museum harbour historical fishing boats and cargo sailing ships lie moored and the mill Amanda is Schleswig-Holstein's largest smock mill. Your journey continues through the Schwansen landscape with charming little villages and many megalithic tombs and burial mounds.

Follow the Baltic Sea Cycle Route and stay close to the shore. The Bülker lighthouse marks the entrance to the 17 kilometre long Kieler Förde Fjord. At the Friedrichsorter Enge, the estuary is only one kilometre wide. From Laboe, one of the most beautiful Kieler Förde harbours, you will continue following the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, past the villages Kalifornien and Brasilien before reaching Schönberg.

Today you will cycle long distances directly along the coast, with some short detours into the hinterland. In Hohwacht, a popular holiday destination, soft sandy beaches await you. It is rumoured that the hiding place of the famous pirate Klaus Störtebecker was located in this area. You will reach Heiligenhafen by cycling via Oldenburg and its impressive harbour.

Follow the Baltic Sea Cycle Route all the way around Germany’s third-largest island, past nature reserves and beaches. In 1970, Jimi Hendrix played his last live concert at the lighthouse in Flügge. A memorial stone commemorates the musician. In case you would like to shorten this stage, you can leave the Baltic Sea Cycle Route at any point and return to Heiligenhafen.

Today you will cycle along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route to the famous seaside resort Grömitz with its 400 metre long pier. From here you will have a great view of the 8 kilometre long sandy beach and the Bay of Lübeck. The journey continues to your destination Neustadt, which has a charming historical town centre and an unusual granary.

The stage takes you along the bays of Neustadt and Lubeck. Famous seaside resorts such as Timmendorfer Strand and Travemünde lie on your way. Upon arriving in the old Hanseatic city Lubeck, a stroll through the historical city centre is recommended. It was declared world heritage by the UNESCO. Holstentor, salt warehouses or the Buddenbrookhaus are only some of the places which are worth visiting.

This section goes through the spa town of Travemünde and continues along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route. Cycling through the Brooker Wald nature reserve, you soon reach Boltenhagen. The second oldest seaside resort of Mecklenburg attracts not only tourists ‒ world sailing championships are held here too. Enjoy the charming inland area around the small town of Klütz.

Mostly following the banks, you cycle to Wismar today, a time-honoured Hanseatic town. In the old quarter you will still find many brick buildings in the old Gothic style. By boat you can cross over to the island of Poel. It’s worth the short trip, as not only do beautiful long sandy beaches await you but the historic city walls dating back to the Thirty Years’ War contribute to the island’s charm.

Today you head for Kühlungsborn. Cliffs alternate with wonderful beaches for bathing. Visit the haunted forest, whose trees have all assumed weird and wonderful shapes from being exposed to the constant coastal winds. Stroll through Bad Doberan through the English park, Kamp, or be taken by train ‒ the bather’ train, known as Molli to the beach.

In Warnemünde you should take a break at Baltic Sea’s broadest sandy beach and enjoy the holiday atmosphere, before strolling through the small town with its cute fishing cottages. Continue cycling along the Baltic Sea Cycling Route to the peninsula Fischland and then to Ahrenshoop. The former border between Mecklenburg and Pommern runs through the artists’ village.

You have enough time today to explore the Darsser Forest and the wild romance of the west beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Prerow it can only be reached by foot, bike or horse and carriage ‒ make time to go, it’s worth it. Via Zingst your tour takes you back to the mainland to the former Swedish town of Barth with its many buildings dating back to the 13-18th century.

The destination of your stage is another highlight of the holiday. Already from far away you’ll see the three towers of the Hanseatic town of Stralsund. Its former importance as a trading town can still be seen in the historic quarter today. And because it has been so beautifully preserved, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You cannot leave before visiting the impressive museum of marine science.

In the morning you will take the ferry that will bring you to the island of Hiddensee. It is recommended to visit the 28 m high lighthouse, called Leuchtfeuer Dornbusch, and let the extremely charming landscape take effect on you. Afterwards there is still time for a carriage ride. Or you could spend a day at the beach. Which one do you choose? In the afternoon you go back to Stralsund by boat.

Today you will go to the second island of your journey: The island of Rügen, the largest in Germany, is quickly reached from Stralsund. You follow the shore of the Kubitzer Bodden. Your destination is located in Bergen in the center of the island. On the outskirts of the city, on top of the 91 meter high Rugard, you will find the Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Tower, from which you have a beautiful view of the entire island of Rügen.

On the peninsular of Mönchgut, you pass the impressive Prora buildings. Today's section includes two very special highlights: Binz awaits you with a huge bathing area, while Sellin has the longest pier to Rügen. And miles and miles of fine white sand around Göhren. Enjoy your evening on Rügen with a lovely walk along the beach.

The Baltic seaside resorts along your route today will take you back to the 19th century. Classicistic elements, delicate woodcarvings and long piers are characteristic for the Baltic Sea townscapes. When you have left the day’s ascent behind you, we recommend you take a break in Sellin, where you can stroll out across the sea on the 394 metre long pier.

Rügen bids you goodbye with a real highlight: You will first cycle along the first part of the German Avenue Road until you reach Glewitz. The bright green cycle path is certainly memorable! In Glewitz you board the ferry (not included), which will take you back to the main land in only a few minutes. From Reinberg you will cycle along the Baltic Sea Cycle Path to Greifswald.

Today you will cycle to Wolgast, the Gate to the island of Usedom, along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route. You will trundle through an enchanting lake, moor and meadow landscape, where you will get up-close to the beauty of the Baltic Sea landscape. Stroll through Wolgast’s charming town centre with its half-timbered and brick buildings and the gothic brick church St. Petri.

At Wolgast you will cross over the Peenestrom to the island of Usedom. The route leads you through the so-called Krumminer Wiek and on towards the Baltic Sea spa twon of Zinnowitz. From here you will continue cycling along forested shorelines. Along the route you will have countless swimming opportunities on beautiful sandy beaches. You will have reached your destination when you arrive at the impressive Emperor's Baths.

You’ve made it! Over 1000 kilometres on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route lie behind you. Your bike has taken you from Flensburg to the island of Usedom. Look back at happy times on the beach in the sun, the many kilometres you’ve mastered on you bike and countless big and small experiences along the way. If you would like to stay in Usedom for longer, we would be happy to extend your cycling holiday at the Baltic Sea.