Hamburg-Rügen Cycle Route: From the 'gateway to the world' to the island of Rügen

This cycle route runs along a medieval trade route from the largest city in northern Germany to Germany's largest island.

Enjoy culture in a vibrant maritime setting in the city of Hamburg before heading off through the Elbe meadows until you reach Lauenburg, where the river flows into the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. The cycle route now heads along this canal through Büchen to the town of Mölln. Passing through the Schaalsee biosphere reserve and Sternberg Lakes nature park, you come to the hills of the Mecklenburgische Schweiz. The tour continues to the historical Hanseatic town of Stralsund and then on to its final destination: Sassnitz harbour on the island of Rügen. Terrain: the route is asphalt-covered most of the way, with some paved sections and farm tracks; the going is hilly in parts and the paths are not always car-free. Signposting is not standardised. Scenery: from the city of Hamburg the route runs through the Elbe river scenery with its canals, lakes and nature reserves. Hills, forests, coastal landscapes and beaches await in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

• Length: 520 kilometres
• Starts: Hamburg
• Ends: Sassnitz/Rügen
• Route info: hilly in parts, easily managed with children