Hamburg - Berlin Cycling Holiday | Elbe & Havel Cycle Paths

10 days

Duration

Moderate

Difficulty

Germany

Location

April-October

Availability

Cycle from the vibrant harbour city of Hamburg to Germany’s energetic and colourful capital, Berlin

Cycle in perfect tranquillity along the Elbe and Havel cycle paths

Discover charming riverside villages with traditional half-timbered houses

Look out for wildlife as you cycle through the Elbe Floodplain UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Explore the Brandenburg Lakelands and the stunning palaces and gardens of Potsdam

Self guided cycling holiday from Hamburg to Berlin

A wonderful 10-day cycling holiday along the Elbe and Havel cycle paths – two of Germany’s most popular long-distance cycle routes.

The rivers Elbe and Havel connect the lively harbour-metropolis of Hamburg with the German capital Berlin. On this bicycle tour along the two rivers you will pass tranquil floodplains, sleepy villages and charming half-timbered towns. From Hamburg to Wittenberge you will cycle along the Elbe River, before following the Havel River to Berlin.

The Havel River Cycle Path will lead you through the extensive landscape of the Westhavelland Natural Reserve. Passing through the towns of Brandenburg and Werder, you will reach Potsdam with its magnificent Palace and Park Sanssouci. Having crossed the large Wannsee Lake by ferry, you will soon reach Berlin-Spandau. From here you will follow the Spree River Cycle Path right into the centre of Berlin.

10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

From €1,160 per person sharing*

*A high season supplement of €45 will apply from 6/5 to 7/9.
*A single supplement charge will apply for solo cyclists.

BIKE RENTAL

If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. All bikes are provided with bicycle locks, repair kit, map holder and one 10L waterproof Ortlieb pannier bag per bike.

We deliver the bicycle at your first accommodation and pick it up from your last accommodation after your last cycling day. You just need to give us your body length, so that you receive the correct bike size, and we take care of everything else.

Bike hire prices

Touring bicycle (7/21 gears): €120 (€15 x 8 days)
E-bike: €240 (€30 x 8 days)

ACCOMMODATION

9 overnight stays in comfortable 3* standard hotels and guesthouses with continental breakfast. Extra nights can also be booked at any of the hotels along the way.

AVAILABILITY

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April 1^st and October 31^st.

INCLUDED

9 x overnight stays
9 x continental breakfasts
Luggage transport to the next hotel (1 piece per person)
Detailed maps and route notes
GPS tracks
Pre-departure information pack
Daily telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights & travel insurance
Travel to Hamburg / from Berlin
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Anything else not mentioned in the Included section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Bike rental
Single room supplement

DIFFICULTY

This trip is rated as moderate overall and is suitable for leisure cyclists. There are no major ascents or descents and cycle route is mostly flat. The longest daily cycle is 78 km, but that is also possible to split over two days.

Day 1: Arrival in Hamburg

Your cycling holiday begins in the vibrant port city of Hamburg. Germanys second largest city has a wealth of cultural attractions, as well as excellent bars and restaurants. You can soak up the maritime spirit of this Hanseatic city either on a boat trip through the harbour or by taking a walk along the jetties and through the old warehouse district.

Overnight: Hamburg

Day 2: Cycle from Hamburg to Lauenburg

Distance: 55 km approx.

On the first stage of your trip you cycle on raised banks through the Elbe marshlands to the picturesque old shipping town of Lauenburg. After leaving Hamburg on the Elbe Cycle Path you will pass the health resort of Lütjenburg, with its historic marketplace, Baroque town hall and former dyer’s house with richly ornamented doors – a must-see! You continue through this rural area, passing numerous small villages and farm buildings, until you reach Lauenburg. Take a stroll around the town and admire its beautifully restored half-timbered houses from the 16^th and the 17^th centuries.

Overnight: Lauenburg

Day 3: Cycle from Lauenburg to Hitzacker

Distance: 55 km approx.

Today’s cycle tour takes you through sleepy villages and the Elbe Floodplain UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This unspoilt and sparsely populated area has wide open views and an impressive diversity of wildlife. The stage ends in the pretty town of Hitzacker, located on an island in the Elbe Floodplain.

Overnight: Hitzacker

Day 4: Cycle from Hitzacker to Wittenberge

Distance: 78 km approx.

Leaving Hitzacker, you continue to ride through the peaceful Elbe floodplains. Enjoy the tranquillity and wildlife of the “Wendland” as you cycle along the raised embankments. The old town and fortress of Dömitz are well worth a stop to explore. Today’s route also takes you across the former border that once divided West and East Germany. Soon after that, the distinctive towers of Wittenberge will appear on the horizon.

Overnight: Wittenberge

Day 5: Cycle from Wittenberge to Havelberg

Distance: 38 km approx.

Your route today offers peaceful tranquillity, as well as the chance of spotting storks in the village of Rühstädt. The riverbanks and forests of this sparsely populated region are home to many endangered species of animals and plants. In the afternoon you will arrive in Havelberg – or “the Green Island and Cathedral City”, as its residents lovingly refer to it. This charming city at the confluence of the Havel and Elbe has an impressive cathedral and a rich history as an episcopal see.

Overnight: Havelberg

Day 6: Cycle from Havelberg to Rathenow

Distance: 53 km approx.

Today you say goodbye Elbe and hello Havel! From now on your tour continues along the Havel-Radweg (Havel Cycle Path). Your new companion will guide you through the green fields and hamlets of the Schollener Land to the “Optical City” of Rathenow. The town is known for its production of optical instruments and has a museum and park dedicated to this tradition.

Overnight: Rathenow

Day 7: Cycle from Rathenow to Stadt Brandenburg

Distance: 65 km approx.

Today you should pack your swimwear because the cycle path will lead you through the network of lakes to the north of the city Brandenburg. The city itself is scattered over several islands and peninsulas, which are waiting to be explored!

Overnight: Brandenburg an der Havel

Day 8: Cycle from Brandenburg to Potsdam

Distance: 60 km approx.

For the first part of today’s stage, you will cycle on dyke-top tracks along the Havel. Allow some time for a look around the flower town of Werder, which stretches across a number of idyllic islands in the Havel. The last part of your route leads you along the promenade of tranquil Lake Templin to Potsdam. This cultural gem of a town was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status due to its magnificent collection of gardens and palaces.

Overnight: Potsdam

Day 9: Cycle from Potsdam to Berlin Mitte

Distance: 50 km approx.

On your final cycling day, you will cross the Havel via the famous Glienlicke Bridge. Known as the ‘Bridge of Spies’, this was a legendary site where the U.S. and Soviets traded secret agents during the Cold War. You continue past the Greater Wannsee Lake, which you can also choose to cross by ferry (ticket not included), before reaching the district of Spandau. Here you meet the river Spree, which you follow along a riverside cycle path right into the centre of Berlin.

Overnight: Berlin

Day 10: Departure

Your cycling holiday comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us. If you wish to book some extra nights to explore the fascinating city of Berlin then we would be happy to arrange that for you!

Arrival in Hamburg

	The most convenient airport to fly to is Hamburg Airport.
	From the airport, you can reach Hamburg’s Hauptbahnhof (central railway station) in 25 minutes via the S1 S-Bahn (metro rail network) line. The service operates every 10 minutes. The station, “Hamburg Airport (Flughafen)” is directly in front of the terminals.
	If travelling by car, it is usually possible to park it at your first hotel for the duration of your trip. Nevertheless in most cases it is not possible to reserve the parking lot in advance. Please find contact information of your hotels in your travel documents to be able to inquire about a car parking options. Parking spaces are subject to fees in the majority of cases, with parking fees to be paid directly to the hotel.

Departure from Berlin

Berlin has two international airports. You will find flights to most European destinations from either Berlin Tegel (TXL) or Berlin Schönefeld (SXF).

Tegel Airport can be reached by express bus from Berlin city centre. Details and timetables are available here.

S-Bahn (urban railway) trains run every 10 minutes from Berlin city centre to Schönefeld Airport. The airport is just a five-minute walk from the railway station via a covered walkway.

The Airport Express (RE 7 / RB 14) runs twice every hour from Berlin city centre to Schönefeld Airport. The journey time from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station) takes 30 minutes.

If you have parked your car in Hamburg then you can return there by direct train from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (central station). Trains run regularly throughout the day and the journey time is 1 hr 45 mins approx. For timetables and fares, please see Deutsche Bahn’s website.