Bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people

Your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people starts in Hamburg. An early arrival is recommended, as the Hanseatic city has a multitude of sights to offer. Whether it's a boat trip through the port of Hamburg, a walk through the Speicherstadt warehouse district or along the Inner and Outer Alster - you'll love Hamburg's maritime charm.

The first stage of your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people takes you along the Elbe towards the North Sea. A first stop is worthwhile at the ship welcoming facility in Wedel. Ocean liners and cruise ships are welcomed and bid farewell here. In Glückstadt, you can enjoy Glückstädter Matjes, which is a national delicacy. The Kiel Canal begins at your destination for the day, Brunsbüttel. At the impressive canal locks, you will see large and small ships making their way to the Elbe or the Baltic Sea. You can find out more about how the locks work at the lock museum.

The Kiel Canal is one of the busiest waterways in the world. You follow it mostly close to the shore and without any significant inclines through the hinterland of Schleswig-Holstein. In addition to forest and meadow landscapes, you will experience an exciting mix of different types of ships gliding leisurely along the canal. In Rendsburg, the high bridge and the historic old town are particularly worth seeing. Away from the canal, you pass Lake Wittensee and reach Eckernförde. The well-kept Baltic Sea beaches of the port city invite you to relax and enjoy a refreshing break.

Today, your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people first takes you to Schleswig. The city's landmark, St. Peter's Cathedral, can be seen from afar. From the cathedral's viewing platform, you have a beautiful view of the city and the Schlei. Just outside Schleswig is the Viking Museum Haithabu. It is located not far from the original historical settlement site and takes you back to the time of the Vikings and their way of life. Continue along the Schlei to Arnis, the smallest town in Germany. Just a stone's throw away is your destination for the day, Kappeln, which surprises with a museum harbor worth seeing.

With the Baltic Sea mostly in view, you first cycle to Glücksburg on your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people. Located on the Flensburg Fjord, the town is not only the northernmost in Germany, but also boasts one of the most beautiful castles in Northern Europe. Built in the 16th century, it is considered the cradle of European royalty. Your overnight stay in Flensburg looks back on more than 750 years of history. This is reflected in the historic buildings and squares.

You leave Flensburg heading west. You reach Niebüll through flat marshland and geest landscapes. The name of the town is derived from the Frisian new settlement. Niebüll can look back on a history that dates back to the beginning of the 15th century. Once a village, the town developed into a lively and flourishing small town thanks to its connection to the marsh railroad. Visit the Friesian Museum, which gives you an insight into the living and economic culture of the North Frisians.

You board the train in Niebüll and reach the island of Sylt via the Hindenburgdamm. The largest of the North Frisian islands impresses with miles of dream beaches, cliffs and thatched houses. A network of cycle paths over 200 kilometers long offers you plenty of opportunities to get to know the island on a longer or shorter exploration tour. Treat yourself to a hearty fish sandwich in List, visit the impressive Red Cliff and enjoy the view of the Wadden Sea from the Hörnum lighthouse. In the evening, take the train back to Niebüll.

From Niebüll, the route takes you to the North Sea coast. With a view of the Wadden Sea, you pass the harbor town of Dagebüll and the Schlüttsiel ferry port. It is worth making a detour to the Hamburger Hallig, which can be reached via a causeway. The peninsula, which is just under one square kilometer in size, invites you to take a longer break. Enjoy the undisturbed view of the North Sea before hopping on your bike towards Nordstrand. Legend has it that the North Frisian national drink, the Pharisäer, originated on the peninsula. Your destination for the day, Husum, awaits you with a lively old town and a colorful harbor that lets you experience the ebb and flow of the tide up close.

With a view of the mudflats, your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people takes you along the coast of the Eiderstedt peninsula to the Westerheversand lighthouse. The 40-metre-high red and white striped tower is one of North Frisia's landmarks and will catch your eye from afar. A longer break is worthwhile in St. Peter-Ording. The seaside resort is known for its 12-kilometre-long sandy beach and impresses with its striking pile dwellings. You reach your destination for the day in the idyllic harbor town of Tönning. The Multimar Wattforum serves as a breeding station for endangered creatures and takes you into the world of the Wadden Sea.

From Tönning, you cycle straight back to the open sea. You first cycle to Büsum via the Eidersperrwerk, Germany's largest coastal protection structure. Enjoy Büsum's famous crabs and treat yourself to a dip in the water of Meldorf Bay on one of the many beaches. Speaking of Meldorf, the cathedral of the inland town once served as a navigation mark. Many hundreds of years ago, the town was still by the sea. Continue through the Dithmarschen to Brunsbüttel or St. Michaelisdonn.

Final spurt! The longest stage of your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people takes you through the Dithmarschen back to the Elbe. Don't worry, you will cover the many kilometers on flat cycle paths. You will reach Hamburg quickly but in a relaxed manner. You have finally made it and after around 800 kilometers you can be really proud of yourself. At the end of your cycle tour in Schleswig-Holstein, treat yourself to some Hamburg specialties such as Hamburg eel soup, Finkenwerder plaice or sweet French rolls.

Your bike tour in Schleswig-Holstein for sporty people ends after breakfast. We are happy to extend your stay in Hamburg with an extra night.