Geesthacht: radial tour, 6 days

Situated right by the harbour and next to the historic St Salvator’s Church, this family-run hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Geesthacht town centre. Get in the mood for your trip with a refreshing drink on the cosy veranda, or take a short stroll to Menzer-Werft-Platz on the opposite peninsula.

Look forward to visiting the historic riverside town of Lauenburg! On the varied Elbe Cycle Route, you’ll cycle along the northern bank of the Elbe through the densely wooded ‘Hohes Elbufer’ nature reserve to the picturesque old town. Cobbled lanes and lovingly preserved half-timbered houses dating from the 17th century characterise the town’s unique streetscape. You’ll gain fascinating insights into the history of inland waterway transport at the Elbe Shipping Museum. A visit to the small but charming village church is also well worth it. The route back takes you along the southern bank of the Elbe, where you can enjoy the tranquillity of nature and beautiful views of the great river.

Passing the old harbour and the imposing Geesthacht barrage, you’ll cycle along the Altengammer Elbe dyke through the idyllic Vierlande region. From the slightly elevated route, you can enjoy beautiful views of thatched houses and lovingly tended gardens. At the Rieck Haus open-air museum, you’ll find a fascinating 16th-century ensemble comprising a farmhouse, a barn, a bakehouse and a historic mill. Here you’ll gain fascinating insights into the region’s rural past. You’ll then follow quiet paths and small watercourses to the Boberger Dünen nature reserve. The extensive heathland, home to Hamburg’s last inland dune, has been a protected nature reserve since 1991. Shortly afterwards, you’ll cycle around the picturesque Eichbaumsee lake, which is the perfect spot for a leisurely break. Finally, you’ll cycle back to Geesthacht at a leisurely pace along the Gose Elbe and across a disused railway line.

Today’s stage is characterised by a variety of natural and cultural experiences. Cycling through meadows, fields and small villages, you’ll reach the Sachsenwald, which has been owned by the von Bismarck family since 1871 and is considered the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein. In Aumühle, railway enthusiasts will find it well worth visiting the Lokschuppen Museum, which houses historic steam locomotives and other rail vehicles. A detour takes you to the Butterfly Garden and the Bismarck Museum at Landhaus Friedrichsruh. There you’ll find personal memorabilia as well as the first German Chancellor’s study, preserved in its original state. You’ll then cycle through the idyllic Billetal nature reserve. Following the course of the small River Bille, you’ll reach Reinbek Castle, a 16th-century Renaissance building with magnificent rooms and intricately painted timber-beamed ceilings. Further downstream lies Bergedorf Castle, the only surviving castle within Hamburg’s city limits. After an eventful day, you’ll return to Geesthacht via the small Altengamme summer lido.

Today, too, a rewarding stop-off point awaits you. Small streams and numerous ditches characterise the flat landscape. Passing through Barum and St Dionys, with its stately thatched farmhouses, you’ll cycle along quiet paths to the Ilmenau. A historic towpath leads you straight into the old salt and Hanseatic city of Lüneburg. Founded over 1,000 years ago on a salt dome, the city owes its former prosperity to ‘white gold’. Even today, magnificent brick houses with ornate gables, the historic town hall and the old harbour with its crane bear witness to this golden age. Stroll across Rathausplatz and Platz Am Sande, or through the picturesque cobbled alleys. History buffs will gain fascinating insights into Lüneburg’s long tradition of salt mining at the German Salt Museum. After a leisurely break, cycle back to the hotel.

Your varied cycle tour comes to an end today after breakfast.

It’s entirely up to you which stage you cycle on which day.