I'll be taking on this route in late August. I've around 10-12 days to complete with the assumption there will be a shortcut train ride somewhere in northern Germany and a couple days at the end to train back. Does anyone have any insights on the route? Any tips for changes, short cuts or must see destinations?
by Tron-ClaudeVanDayum
4 Comments
I rode from Silkeborg DK to Emmen Netherlands in 6 days when I was 19. I did this on a city bike without much prior training or other than cycling commuting so I think that should give you ample time.
When crossing the elbe near Haburg I recommond taking a small ferry over Kristiansstadt or Friedrichsstadt, something to that affect, some danish kings name. Regardless, small town, surroinding area is really nice. Unless you wanna go through Hamburg of course.
The area north of Hamburg towards DK was quite boring IMO and the part I’d research the most – just a lot of fields with cows and it just smells like poop everywhere – I’d look into an interesting path there or like you said just take a train from Hamburg to either Padborg, Sønderborg or Aabenraa.
If you are down for a detour I’d swing by Ribe and the wadden sea in DK, and I recommend that you cycle as much of “hærvejen” in DK as possible – legendary and historic biking trail.
Also, instead of going over funen as you do, I’d cycle over Lolland. There is a new “supercykelsti” (super cycle path) that is allegedly one of the prettiest in DK. I think that’d make the latter part of your journey much prettier whereas I don’t think the middle of funen has much to offer. Info:
[https://migogodense.dk/danmarks-smukkeste-cykelsti/](https://migogodense.dk/danmarks-smukkeste-cykelsti/)
From Hoek van Holland I wouldn’t take it all the way through those towns. There’s not much to see there except suburbs, big roads, industrial estates and it all looks the same. You’ve included the Biesbosch in your route which is pretty but IMHO but it’s not worth cycling through the cities to get there.
I would cut across the area to the northeast of Rotterdam (called the Groene Hart, meaning “Green Heartland”) which will be much quieter, prettier and bike friendly.
For routes within the Netherlands, use https://www.fietsknoop.nl/talen/english
I‘m just amazed you managed to squeeze in 4000 meters of elevation on that route or whatever 13k feet is. I like the area north of Arnhem, bit I understand if you go further north Münster will be a detour and that city is quite worthwhile on the german leg of your tour. Bremen and Hamburg as well obviously. After that an alternative to going north would be Lübeck- Fehmarn-Lolland which is connected by ferry. A second alternative which would take longer though, would be going along the German North Sea coast, which has better views than the center of Schleswig-Holstein
To cross the Elbe it looks like you’re going over the Elbbrücken, while they are nice I would recommend going through the Alter Elbtunnel instead.