Extending over some 800 kilometres, the “Culture Route” boasts a stunning mix of cultural “beacons” and other destinations including the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, Celle Castle, Loccum Abbey and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Hildesheim and Alfeld. Excellent train links open up the option of a number of one-day loops by bike and train.
Route and sights
There is so much to see and do in Hanover and the surrounding area. So much in fact that the cycle tour has been divided up into 15 stages, which link the rich culture in the city to the nearby towns located in a landscape characterised by rivers, heathland and lakes. You can add to the stages and mix them up to your heart’s content, making the Culture Route the perfect choice if you are looking for a great day out.
Hanover is a fantastic starting point for cycle tours in the region between the Weser, Leine and Aller rivers. With stunning scenery, fascinating cultural sites and breath-taking towns, you won’t run out of places to explore. For example, there’s the half-timbered town of Celle with its magnificent castle grounds, the neo-Gothic Marienburg Castle, Bückeburg Castle with its mausoleum and riding school, the moated Coppenbrügge Castle and Landestrost Castle in the Weser Renaissance style.
If you are feeling particularly spiritual, you will find plenty of churches and abbeys, including two World Heritage Sites in Hildesheim, St. Martini church and mausoleum in Stadthagen and abbeys in Loccum, Walsrode and Wienhausen.
There is a huge selection of interesting museums that are enough to make your trip worthwhile on their own.
For those in search of some peace and quiet, there is plenty of opportunity to relax as you take in the beautiful cultural landscapes along the way and visit natural points of interest such as the largest glacial erratic in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony).
The Steinhuder Meer is another top destination as the largest lake in the north-west of Germany, covering some 32 square kilometres.
Chocoholics with a soft spot for the very best will also need to fit in a trip to the chocolate museum in Peine.
You will even be spoilt for choice if you love to take in a show when you’re on a trip – the Pied Piper open-air plays in Hameln (Hamelin) and the Domfestspiele theatre festival in Bad Gandersheim are two solid choices.
The state capital of Hanover has lots to offer in this department too, such as events in the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and the annual Maschsee Lake Festival.
The best part is that you can head back in style on the train after the day’s stage, giving you plenty of time to plan out the next one. It’s so practical and convenient!
