Baltic Sea, Hanseatic cities and Old Salt Route

You start the tour in the magnificent old Hanseatic city of Lübeck which was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. If you talk about Holstentor, marzipan and Thomas Mann, Lübeck immediately comes to mind. You should not miss a fish roll as a prelude to your vacation.

First through the spa town of Travemünde where you can make a stop at the oldest lighthouse in Germany, and then along the Baltic Sea coast. You cycle through the Brooker Wald nature reserve to Boltenhagen, Mecklenburg's second oldest seaside resort. From the cliffs you have a great view over the entire bay.

Mostly following the banks, you cycle to the Hanseatic city of Wismar. Poel island with its long sand beaches and the historic city walls dating back to the Thirty Years’ War is worth a visit.

Today you follow the „Wallensteingraben“ – a ditch that connects Lake Schwerin with the Baltic Sea. Later on you pass the village of Mecklenburg which is famous for its Dutch windmill which gave the region its name before you reach Schwerin.

Discover Schwerin and the surroundings. Visit the glorious Schwerin castle and have a look at the Schwerin cathedral. You should also go on a bike tour through the Schwerin lake district where you shouldn‘t miss out on a boat trip.

Further through the Schwerin lake district until you reach the Schaalsee lake region in the Lauenburg nature park. Ratzeburg is located on an island in Lake Ratzeburg. Alternatively, take the train from Schwerin to Büchen (not included) and cycle from here along the Elbe-Lübeck Canal on the Alte Salzstraße cycle path via the Eulenspiegel town of Mölln to Ratzeburg.

Today, you have two routes to choose from: Either you cycle first to Mölln, where you can visit the Eulenspiegel Museum and learn all about Germany's most famous trickster. The Old Salt Route, a historic trade route that once carried salt from Lüneburg to the coast, runs through the town. You then follow the Old Salt Route back to Lübeck. Alternatively, you can take the shorter route along the eastern shore of the Großer Ratzeburger See and follow the natural course of the Wakenitz River into the center of Lübeck.