Cycling Berlin to Copenhagen

Highlights: Berlin, the city of freedom

Berlin has been the stage for significant moments in world history – and not just the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. You can still discover the traces of history in countless places around the capital. And, no Berlin visit is complete without a taste of local cuisine: let’s start with our welcome dinner tonight after getting bicycles and going for a short test ride!

Highlights: Brandenburger Gate, Victory Column, Olympia Stadium and Grunewald Forest

Our route will take you to Potsdam today. This was the royal residence for Prussian kings and the German Kaiser until 1918. The palace’s name Sans Souci, translates to “without concerns.” King Frederick set-up his summer residence here in the 18th century to relax and escape the spectacle of the Berlin court. Take the rest of the day to enjoy the town, its many palaces, and parks.

Highlights: Havel River Bike Path and Brandenburg city attractions

Today you will follow bike paths along the Havel River to Brandenburg. Known for its religious buildings, Brandenburg is perched on the edge of one of central Europe’s largest non-coastal wetlands – the Lower Havel basin – where rare animals such as beavers and otters can be observed in the wild. The cycle route through Brandenburg’s town centre takes in all the main sights, such as the New Town, Cathedral Island and Old Town. The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul is an impressive testimony to the town’s importance as a major religious centre and is the mother church for the state of Brandenburg.

Highlights: Elbe Valley, Bird Watching and Baroque gardens at our lodging

We’ll follow the Havel River, which appears more like a series of lakes rather than a river, on its south side until Genthin when we cross to the north and pedal west to the Elbe River. A short ferry ride across the Elbe locates us in the Elbe Valley, a paradise for bird watchers because its extensive alluvial flats offer perfect habitat for many avian species. Tonight we stay in Tangermünde.

Highlights: Elbe River and Iron Curtain, Lüneburg – a storybook, brick medieval town

Today we start by taking a 1.45-hour shuttle to Hitzacker, where we start cycling following the Elbe river along a natural area of the Lower Saxony Elbtalaue. With such a picturesque landscape it’s difficult to imagine that you are traveling along the Iron Curtain to Lüneburg, a town whose prosperity for centuries came from its massive salt dome which was mined, sold and traded throughout Northern Europe.

Highlights: Free and Hanseatic City, “Gateway to the world”

We’ll ride through the Lüneburg Heath, a nature reserve through the “Alte Land,” a rural paradise famous for its orchards. We’ll enter Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city and largest port (despite being located on a river 100 km from the coast), by way of ferry. Hamburg has engaged in business with the world ever since it joined the Hanseatic League back in the Middle Ages, and this “harbourpolis” is now the nation’s premier media hub and its wealthiest city. We’ll enjoy a special dinner this evening to say farewell to the riders who are doing the Berlin to Hamburg stage and welcome the new comers on the Hamburg to Copenhagen stage.

Highlights: Guided harbor cruise of the Hamburg Port

Enjoy a harbor cruise this morning and free time to visit some of the local attractions like the impressive Rathaus (city hall) or one of the museums in the newly popular warehouse district. Or perhaps you’d like some shopping in the main streets around the train station, or a stroll along the Alster River and harbor to see the bustle.

Highlights: Lübeck – Queen of the Hanseatic

Today we leave Hamburg toward Lütjensee, picturesquely situated in the middle of the “Three Lake District” between the Lütjensee, the Großensee and the Mönchsteich. Pedal through wooded areas and farmland en route to our destination. Lübeck, referred to as the Queen of Hanseatic cities, is known for its extensive brick Gothic architecture and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Make sure you enjoy Lübeck’s beloved delicacy of marzipan. Niederegger, one of the world’s best producers of the confection, has been in operation here since 1806.

Highlights: Timmendorfer Strand, the Baltic

Before exiting town, catch a free bike shuttle bus that takes you through the Herrentunnel underneath the Trave river. Then we will ride along the beach and enjoy the waterfont of the Timmendorfer Strand to get a taste of the Baltic. Finally, between glittering lakes and secluded forests, you’ll find Malente, your home in the heart of bucolic “Holstein Switzerland” for two nights. Don’t worry, you’re still in Germany!

Highlights: Loop ride, rolling countryside and lakes, Plön

Today’s loop ride explores northern Germany’s “Holstein Switzerland,” named for the region’s Swiss-like hills and reminiscent landscape, although the highest “mountain” tops out at 550 feet! Pedal through an ever-changing landscape of the Young Drift moraines that formed during the last ice age. Small woods alternate rapidly with hedged, arable fields. Overall, the terrain is characterized by its many lakes nestled amongst low hills. Enjoy Plön and its castle, or, for those not wanting to bike today, relax in town or at the hotel.

Highlights: 4 different modes of transportation- bike, train that goes to the ferry and walk!

Your final miles in Germany take you northwest to Oldenburg in Holstein where we aim to connect with the Berlin-Copenhagen train line, which crosses the Fehmarn Sund bridge before boarding a ferry across the Fehmarn Belt and then traversing the islands of Lolland and Falster before arriving on Zealand, Denmark’s largest island. We’ll step off at Vordingborg before shuttling towards Praesto for the evening. Velkommen til Danmark! Please note that on tours in 2024 we may replace the short train ride with a shuttle due to construction on the train line. The shuttle follows the same ferry and overland route as the train.

Highlights: Baroque mansion of Nysø and Præstø Fjord and town

Our ride to the Baltic beach town of Rødvig follows quiet country roads to the small town of Præstø, which began as a merchant village in the 14th century. Pick up picnic supplies before continuing to the famous Nysø Mansion, one of Denmark’s finest examples of Baroque architecture. Built in the mid-17th century, the carefully preserved mansion boasts beautiful gardens and overlooks a picturesque lake. Once in Rødvig, enjoy walk along the beach or a quiet stroll through town.

Highlights: Mosede Fort & Beach, Køge, oldest half-timbered house in Denmark, Kalvebod Fælled, entering Copenhagen

Our ride from Rødvig to Copenhagen takes you along the coast, through forests and parks, and past several picturesque towns and villages, all while accessing a combination of quiet country roads, side streets and a network of purpose-built bike paths. Stop along the way for lunch in Køge, a century old market town which is home to the oldest dated half-timbered house in Denmark. Enter Copenhagen on an extraordinary bike path that parallels Kalvebod Fælled, a nature reserve that is the largest remaining tract of unspoiled wilderness in the city. With more than 390 kilometers (241 miles) of designated bike lane, Copenhagen is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world.

Highlights: Copenhagen considered the “most livable city and bike capital of the world”

Your tour ends with a guided visit of this progressive urban capital. Indeed, the world looks to Copenhagen for the latest innovations in design, architecture, fashion and savors the extraordinary culinary revolution that has taken place here over the last decade. Enjoy the city for a few extra days, pedal with us to Oslo, or if you must, head to your next destination. If you depart, we recommend you book your home bound flight for the next day as most international flights leave in the morning.