A dream in white and pink
The air is fragrant, the trees are buzzing – it’s blossom time! When the orchards of the Altes Land, just southwest of Hamburg, burst into bloom, bees of all stripes throw a springtime party.
Experience this natural spectacle from mid-April to early May. First the cherry trees open their buds, followed by apple, pear and other fruit trees with their delicate white and pink petals.
Orchards as far as the eye can see
Fruit thrives along the Elbe river, thanks to the mild coastal climate and rich soil. No surprise, then, that the Altes Land is now Europe’s largest continuous fruit-growing region. Around a thousand years ago, Dutch settlers drained the marshes along the Elbe and the first monastery gardens between Stade and Buxtehude laid the foundations for today’s orchards.
Today, around ten million trees transform the landscape into a sea of blossom every spring. But when is the best time to visit? The blossom barometer online gives up-to-date information – from the first buds and full bloom to the point when the last petals begin to give way to green fruit.
Altes Land Blossom Festival
When the blossoms arrive, the celebrations begin! Every year on the first full weekend of May, the Altes Land Blossom Festival brings the town of Jork to life. Enjoy music, culture and traditional crafts, and sample local fruit, cakes and fruit brandy. And don’t miss the crowning of the year’s Blossom Queen!
On your bike
Take a leisurely ride through blossom country at your own pace: the Altes Land Loop is an 18-kilometre cycle route through the orchards surrounding Jork. Stop along the way to explore the Fruit Discovery Trail, the Altes Land Museum or the Hogendiek Bridge – a charming relic of Dutch heritage. St. Martini-et-Nicolai Church and its organ, as well as the church in Borstel, are also worth a visit – and don’t forget to try a classic fish roll. The return journey runs along the Elbe dike, right by the water.
Fresh vitamin bombs
And after the blossom season? The Blossom Barometer continues to offer updates, showing ripening stages and harvest times. In early July, Altes Land Cherry Week invites visitors to sample the region’s ruby-red delights in farm shops and orchards – kicking off with the Altes Land Cherry Market outside Jork Town Hall. Then come the Apple Weeks from August to October, where you can enjoy a wide variety of apples fresh, stewed or baked – or even pick your own.
