The Radfernweg Hamburg-Bremen (Hamburg-Bremen Long-Distance Cycle Path) connects northern Germany’s most famous Hanseatic cities: Hamburg and Bremen. It leads cyclists through a typically northern German landscape of river plains, gently rolling coastal sandy heathland and sprawling forests. Idyllic spots along the route make you want to take a moment to explore.
Route and Sights
The long-distance cycle path starts at Bremen Central Station and heads through the municipal park, passes the Universum Science Center, goes through the city’s Blockland district and the Wümmeniederung (Wümme Depression) to the art colony of Fischerhude. Cyclists pass the tiny towns of Buchholz, Wilstedt and Vorwerk, and ride to Nartum, where writer Walter Kempowski, who died in 2007, lived in the Haus Kreienhoop building. The Melkhus, a milk service station which is open from May to October, and the small motor-driven mill in the town centre are perfect for a stopover.
Visitors can then explore Zeven city centre with its works of art, abbey and other museums. Cyclists ride along the Oste river plain to Sittensen, where the watermill and millpond look picture-perfect. They then pass the Jagdschloss hunting lodge in Burgsittensen and reach the Tister Bauernmoor Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary – a perfect place to stop and explore!
After swamps and agricultural land, cyclists head through Heidenau’s historic town centre and pedal along Napoleon’s old military road to Büntberg. After successfully navigating the cobblestones (for approximately 400 m), cyclists are rewarded with unimpeded views across Dohrener Heide, before the long-distance cycle path heads to Hollenstedt, where late boxing legend Max Schmeling used to live.
The “alpine” section of the long-distance cycle path starts just outside Hamburg in Staatsforst Rosengarten (Rosengarten State Forest) and is so called due to the many inclines. Cyclists reach the highest point of the route, at 133 m above sea level, just outside Sieversen. We recommend visiting the open-air museum on the Kiekeberg hill or the Wildpark Schwarze Berge zoo, before heading to the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, cycling through the Old Town and crossing the Alte Harburger Elbbrücke bridge. Here, visitors get an idea of why Hamburg is nicknamed “Venice of the North”. The route leads across the Elbe river, crossing through several districts on the way to the city centre and the final destination of Hamburg Central Station. Cyclists can either end their tour here or explore the city.
