Long-distance cycle path Hamburg - Bremen

 © U. Fischer

Far from many busy roads, the 150 km long-distance cycle path connects North Germany's best known Hanseatic cities and leads you to the region between Elbe and Weser, the North Sea and heathland.

Travelling along ancient trade routes, side roads or peaceful forest paths, you ride towards Hamburg or Bremen. After you arrive in the Hanseatic cities, use your bicycle once again and explore the cities by bike!

From Bremen city centre you are only minutes away from the countryside: The long-distance cycle path leads through the Bürgerpark, a 136-hectare park designed in the mid-19th century. Cycling along the city forest, you encounter your first highlight, the Universum Science Centre. You then continue along Kuhgraben to Wümmeniederung.

The floodplains with few trees, characterised by a mosaic of marsh meadows and wet pastures, pools, ditches and standing water, are of particular importance as a resting place and breeding ground for birds with some rare species.

The main route then takes you through the Fischerhude artists' colony with its historical centre and picturesque surroundings, heading towards Buchholz, Wilstedt and Vorwerk.

Discover on your way the Zevener city centre with its contemporary artworks in the pedestrian zone, its numerous museums and exhibitions. The path continues on through the charming landscape of Osteniederung to Sittensen, past the Burgsittensen hunting lodge and the Tiste Bauernmoor nature reserve and bird sanctuary. In the district of Harburg, you then pass through the historical city centre of Heidenau and cycle on old Napoleonic military road (Heerstrasse) to Büntberg. After successfully navigating the cobblestone pavement (approx. 400 m), you will be rewarded at the "summit" with a clear view across the Dohrener Heide.

You continue through the geest landscape with heathland, forest and water resources until you reach the national forest of Rosengarten just outside the gates of Hamburg. Shortly before Sieversen, you have reached the highest point of the route at approx. 133 m. Explore the regional culture and way of life in the Open-air Museum at Kiekeberg or the European animal world in the Schwarze Berge wildlife park, before you finally reach the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

Passing the Old Harburg Elbe Bridge, you get a first impression of how Hamburg's description as the "Venice of the North" originated. The path takes you beyond the Elbe through various districts into the city centre and thus the route's destination, the Hamburg Main Railway Station. You can end your tour here or you can go on a discovery trip through the city. Whether on foot or by bike, it's of course up to you.

More info at: www.radfernweg-hamburg-bremen.de