6,000 kilometres traversing six countries along the North Sea coast: the North Sea Cycle Route long-distance cycle path holds the Guinness World Records title of being the longest signposted cycle route. In Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony)/Bremen, cyclists pedal for a good 500 kilometres on mainly flat ground, taking in nature and culture along the way.
Roads and Sights
Leer in East Frisia is worth a visit, even if you don’t drink tea: the historic Old Town and Museumshafen (Museum Port) are popular spots for tourists before they head along the Ems river to Emden. Crossing through the picturesque port of Greetsiel, the tour continues on its way towards Norddeich, a village in the borough of Norden. Along the North Sea coast, cyclists ride through Nessmersiel and Bensersiel to Harlesiel, where they head inland to Jever. They then set off for Hooksiel on their way to Wilhelmshaven with its UNESCO Wadden Sea World Heritage Visitor Centre. From the North Sea bay of Jadebusen, they pedal towards the coastal resort of Dangast and the town of Varel with its Heimatmuseum (Local History Museum). As cyclists continue on their journey, they ride through Europe’s only saltwater moor near Sehestedt. The Butjadingen peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea, is home to many scenic coastal resorts, including Tossens, a subtropical bathing paradise and Burhave with its 3,000 square metre Spielscheune indoor play area.
Bremerhaven oozes maritime charm to the east of the Weser river with its expansive ports in the Überseehäfen (Overseas Harbours) and the district of Havenwelten, as well as the fishery harbour showcase in the former Packhalle IV. Cyclists ride along the coast through many picturesque seaside resorts, including Wremen, Dorum with its idyllic Kutterhafen port and Cappel. From the coastal resort of Nordholz-Spieka, the North Sea Cycle Route heads up to the seaside town of Cuxhaven with its beaches in Duhnen, Döse and Sahlenburg. Cyclists then head to the oldest town in the Cuxland region: the charming little coastal resort of Otterndorf.
The next destination is the climatic health resort of Wingst, nestled in the tranquil geest heathland and among marshy landscapes with sprawling forests. The transporter bridge across the Oste river is one of the last buildings of historic importance of its kind, and is an absolute must-see for technophiles. In the Himmelpforten Christmas village, the post office receives more than 50,000 Christmas wish lists from all over the world every year. From here, cyclists can reach the Hanseatic port of Stade with the picturesque half-timbered buildings in its Old Town, before riding through the orchard that is Altes Land with its 18 million fruit trees and on towards Hamburg.
