Geesthacht: radial tour, 8 Tage

Situated right by the harbour and next to the historic St Salvatoris Church, this family-run hotel is within walking distance of Geesthacht town centre. To get you in the mood, why not treat yourself to a refreshing drink on the cosy veranda or take a short stroll to Menzer-Werft-Platz on the peninsula opposite?

Look forward to visiting Lauenburg! On the varied Elbe Cycle Route along the northern bank of the Elbe, you’ll cycle through the wooded ‘Hohes Elbufer’ nature reserve right into the historic old town of the shipping town of Lauenburg. Let yourself be enchanted by the cobbled lanes and the charming 17th-century half-timbered houses. Be sure to visit the Elbe Shipping Museum, which offers fascinating insights into the exciting history of inland waterway transport on the Elbe. And don’t forget to visit the small but charming village church – it tells stories from times long past. The return journey takes you along the southern bank of the Elbe, where you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature on the Elbe Cycle Route right by the great river.

Cycle along the old harbour and the impressive Geesthacht weir on the picturesque Altengammer Elbe dyke. From this slightly elevated vantage point, enjoy fantastic views of the small houses with their pretty thatched roofs and lovingly tended gardens. Look forward to visiting the Rieck Haus open-air museum, a remarkable 16th-century complex well worth seeing. Discover the thatched farmhouse, an original barn, an old bakehouse and a historic mill. Here, history comes to life, and you’ll learn a great deal about rural life in the Vierlanden. You’ll then meander along quiet paths beside small streams to the Boberger Dunes nature reserve with its extensive heathland. Marvel at this unique dune landscape, which has been a nature reserve since 1991 and is Hamburg’s last inland dune. Just a few kilometres further on, you’ll circle the picturesque Eichbaumsee, where you’ll find a charming place to stop for refreshments. In the afternoon, the Gose Elbe takes you along winding paths to a disused railway line, which will take you back to Geesthacht in complete relaxation.

Less than 2 km past Geesthacht, right at the start of the route, the first little highlight awaits you: the impressive reservoir of the Geesthacht pumped-storage power station. Climb the observation tower, from where, in good weather, you can enjoy a breathtaking view across the River Elbe all the way to Hamburg. Take a moment to soak up the vastness of the landscape! After this stop, you’ll cycle through woods and fields, past green paddocks and through small, charming villages. Enjoy the idyllic countryside with its gentle hills. In high spirits, you’ll ride along narrow country lanes and quiet farm tracks. Time and again, you’ll also follow well-maintained, idyllic forest paths, where you’ll be surrounded by shady trees. Take a short breather in Schwarzenbek, as you really must plan a stop at Opa Peters. Here, this family-run business spoils all its customers with love and passion, serving homemade ice cream and the finest delicatessen specialities. Enjoy a delicious scoop of your favourite flavour of ice cream, which is sure to give you a new burst of energy. You’ll leave Schwarzenbek via park-like paths and cycle through Grove and Havekost towards the Sachsenwald. In the afternoon, take a well-deserved break at the lovingly decorated Café Q in Brunstorf and relax in the heart of the old town before cycling back to the hotel.

Cycle across the impressive Geesthacht Elbe Bridge – well worth seeing, with its weir and lock system – to the Lower Saxony bank of the Elbe. Enjoy the cycle route along the old Elbe dyke, particularly in Drage, where you can look down to your right and left at pretty houses and small gardens. Discover the ‘Ilmenau-Luhe Lowlands’, a marshland landscape traversed by the rivers Ilmenau and Luhe and criss-crossed by numerous ditches and watercourses. Due to the influence of the Elbe’s tides, which is noticeable here every day, the area is subject to a unique dynamic. It serves as a habitat for distinctive animal and plant species, some of which are under threat, such as the white stork, lapwing, beaver and otter. An idyllic cycle path along the Luhe takes you to the charming little town of Winsen just in time for lunch. Take a leisurely stroll through the old town, discover the town’s landmark – the 13th-century moated castle – and marvel at the historic town houses. Relax in the Luhe Gardens, where the former site of the State Garden Show enchants visitors with an abundance of flowers, Mediterranean-style terraces and a magnificent park. You then follow the Ilmenau along narrow cycle paths. In Mover and Hunden, you’re sure to notice the many romantic old farmhouses. Look forward to the Marschendeel farm café, which has been open for over 20 years, with its fantastic selection of tarts and cakes. Treat yourself on the sun terrace from Thursday to Sunday before cycling back to Geesthacht.

Today’s route also offers plenty of variety. You’ll cycle to Aumühle, passing through meadows and fields, through small villages and through the Sachsenwald – which has been owned by the von Bismarck family since 1871 and is now the largest contiguous forest area in Schleswig-Holstein. For fans of historic railways, the Lokschuppen Museum awaits here. It preserves and displays steam locomotives and other vintage railway vehicles. From here, do make a worthwhile detour to the Butterfly Garden and the Bismarck Museum. Housed in the Friedrichsruh country house, it showcases historical memorabilia relating to Otto von Bismarck, as well as the study of the first Reich Chancellor. Look forward to the subsequent cycle route through the Billetal Nature Reserve. The little river Bille takes you along secluded paths to Reinbek Castle, built in the 16th century in the Dutch Renaissance style. The castle is characterised by its beautiful architecture, with impressive rooms and exquisitely painted timber-beamed ceilings. After a tour (if available), follow the River Bille to the next highlight: Bergedorf Castle, the only surviving castle within Hamburg’s city limits! Rich in cultural and natural experiences, you’ll cycle back to the hotel via the small but charming Altengamme lido.

Another day with a rewarding destination beckons! Numerous small streams and a seemingly endless number of ditches criss-cross today’s landscape. Passing through Barum and St Dionys, with its magnificent thatched farmhouses, you’ll cycle along flat cycle paths to the little river Ilmenau. A historic towpath takes you straight to the old salt and Hanseatic town of Lüneburg, which was built on a salt dome over 1,000 years ago. The salt was transported by ship from the old harbour of Lüneburg to Lübeck and from there all over the world. In this way, the ‘white gold’ brought prosperity and wealth to the people of Lüneburg, which is still evident today throughout the well-preserved medieval town. Marvel at the monumental brick buildings with their ornate gables, the historic town hall and the old harbour with its crane. Stroll through magnificent squares such as Rathausplatz or Am Sande and along the beautiful cobbled streets. History buffs should definitely visit the fascinating German Salt Museum. With its unique exhibits, it showcases the 1,000-year history of local salt mining. After a leisurely break, you’ll then 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.