The bike vacationer is accompanied by the Elbe as far as Lauenburg and by the Elbe-Lübeck Canal as far as the Eulenspiegel town of Mölln. The route continues along Lake Ratzeburg into idyllic Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Between the island town of Ratzeburg and Gadebusch, cyclists discover the full beauty of the Biosphere Reserve Schaalsee: enchanted waters with kingfishers, otters, cranes and gray herons.
In Schwerin, the State capital of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the castle island tempts you to park your bike and relax over a coffee with a view of the sailing ships. After the castles of Gadebusch and Schwerin, Wiligrad Castle hides above Lake Schwerin in a romantic park, and at Lake Bibow, Hasenwinkel Castle invites you to take a break. Behind the Barlach town of Güstrow begins the hilly country of Mecklenburg Switzerland with more dreamy castles and glittering lakes.
The Hanseatic town of Demmin is located in the "Three Rivers Country" of Peene, Tollense and Trebel, which is rich in fish. Cyclists follow the natural curves of the Trebel toward Tribsees, soon to see the impressive silhouette of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Stralsund. The Rügen Dam takes cyclists to Germany's largest island with its endless sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and sophisticated seaside resorts. Along quaint villages and picturesque avenues, the route first leads to the classicist Putbus. North of Sassnitz, the Jasmund National Park awaits travelers, whose snow-white chalk cliffs were made famous by the painter Caspar David Friedrich.
Route characteristics:
The Hamburg-Rügen cycle route runs mainly on paved or easily passable unpaved cycle paths as well as quiet country roads. Occasionally, cobblestone roads must be expected in villages. The route is characterized by little motor traffic far from the village through-roads.
With a few exceptions, the Hamburg-Rügen cycle route is well signposted and has its own logo.
Information on the Schleswig-Holstein section of the Hamburg-Rügen Cycle Route
Current detour notice:
In Bützow, the path is fully closed due to a construction site. A detour is signposted.
