Bike tour from Hamburg to Sylt

The Hanseatic City of Hamburg offers numerous sights and invites you to discover its many facets. We therefore recommend that you arrive in good time to soak up the atmosphere of this fascinating city. You can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Hamburg, the harbour and the River Elbe from the tower of the famous St Michael’s Church – affectionately known as ‘Michel’.

You leave Hamburg and travel along the River Elbe, following its course through the varied landscape of the Lower Elbe Valley. Your destination is Glückstadt, a charming harbour town with historic charm. It was founded in 1617 by the Danish King Christian IV, who wanted to create a major trading centre here and rival Hamburg. Although Glückstadt never managed to match the Hanseatic city’s importance, its maritime character continues to shape the townscape to this day. The town is particularly well known for its traditional matjes herring, which is prized far beyond the borders of Schleswig-Holstein.

Today’s stage takes you first to Brunsbüttel on the North-East Sea Canal, one of the busiest waterways in the world. Here you can witness at first hand how impressive cargo ships and cruise ships pass through the imposing lock systems. You will then follow the canal through the vast landscape of Dithmarschen and cycle further inland. Your destination is St. Michaelisdonn, a charming village affectionately known by the locals as the ‘bridge between the marshes and the Geest’ – where the fertile marshlands meet the higher-lying Geest.

Today’s stage begins in St. Michaelisdonn, whose landmark is the historic Dutch windmill ‘Edda’. You will then cycle to Meldorf, where the imposing Meldorf Cathedral catches the eye even from a distance. This significant church is a striking example of North German brick Gothic architecture. From the vast landscape of Dithmarschen, your route takes you back to the North Sea coast to Büsum. This popular coastal resort delights visitors with its kilometre-long green beach, where you shouldn’t miss out on a regional speciality: a fresh bread roll with delicious Büsum crabs. The route continues to the imposing Eider Barrier, Germany’s largest coastal flood defence structure, before you finally reach Tönning.

In the morning, take the train to Sankt Peter-Ording, the famous seaside resort with its vast beach and stilt houses. Don’t miss the Westerhever Lighthouse, the most famous lighthouse in Germany. Travelling across the Eiderstedt peninsula, you’ll reach the famous Eider barrier just before Tönning.

Start your stage in Tönning. Visit the historic harbour and the Multimar Wattforum, the largest visitor centre in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. Then cycle on to Friedrichstadt, the so-called ‘Dutch town’ situated between the Eider and Treene rivers. Make the most of this short stage for a leisurely stroll, lunch or a canal cruise. Afterwards, the route takes you through the countryside to Husum. To round off the day, there’s time for a stroll through the old town with its narrow streets and picturesque harbour

Today, we’ll be travelling by train from Husum via Niebüll to the island of Sylt. With its stunning scenery, the largest North Frisian island impresses with kilometres of sandy beaches, cliffs, dune landscapes and thatched-roof houses. The island boasts a cycle path network stretching over 200 kilometres. It’s ideal for a short or extended cycle ride. Cycle along the former Sylt Island Railway line, to Hörnum Lighthouse, to the Red Cliff near Kampen or to List for a fish sandwich – plan today’s cycling trip exactly as you like. In the evening, you’ll return by train to Husum.

After breakfast, you will either make your own way home or extend your stay.