2025
Der Elbe-Havel-Radweg

Bike Tour from Hamburg to Berlin

Two metropolises on the Elbe-Havel cycle route

Hamburg – Havelberg – Berlin

  • Metropolis Hamburg
  • Beautiful meadows and peaceful villages
  • Germany‘s Capital Berlin
  • Daily routes ●●●●○, altitude profile ●○○○○

Days
10

Ø km per day
55

Hamburg and Berlin: Germany's largest cities are the start and finish of this beautiful cycle tour along the Elbe and Havel cycle routes, which are among the most popular long-distance cycle routes in the country. Before you get on your bike, visit Hamburg's Speicherstadt warehouse district and Hafencity! Once you have left the hustle and bustle of the Hanseatic city behind you, immerse yourself in unspoiled nature. Castles with beautiful gardens line your route, as do Germany's village with the most storks, charming half-timbered houses and beautiful towns such as Potsdam and Lauenburg. And when you have completed the 450 kilometers of your cycle tour, you will arrive in the cosmopolitan city of Berlin: The colourful capital, so varied and bustling, will cast a spell over you.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    NO-ELHB9
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* level
  • Duration
    10 days / 9 nights
  • Arrival days
    on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays
  • Print version PDF
    incl. hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Parking garage in Hamburg, cost approx. 12 to 20 Euros per day or Hotel parking spaces (available in individual hotels, chargeable, details in the travel documents); no reservation possible through Radweg‐Reisen.
  • Return to Hamburg
    On your own by train, connections hourly, 0 – 1 train changes, duration approx. 2.5 hours.
Bike Tour from Hamburg to Berlin

Day 1: Individual arrival in Hamburg

The Hanseatic city is one of the most beautiful and exciting major German cities, with numerous sights waiting for you. A harbour tour is a must. Visiting the Speicherstadt is also highly recommended. Opera and concert hall, theater and musicals leave nothing to be desired. Jungfernstieg by day and Reeperbahn by night offer plenty of entertainment. Booked rental bikes are available at the hotel.

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg

Day 2: Hamburg – Lauenburg, approx. 55 km

From the big city, the route leads through the wild dune landscape of Schleswig-Holstein to Lauenburg. The town is picturesquely situated on the banks of the Elbe. The river has always been an important part of life here. The Elbschifffahrtsmuseum exhibits the regional history of navigation and you can admire a collection of beautiful pictures on the subject.

Lauenburg an der Elbe

Lauenburg an der Elbe

Day 3: Lauenburg – Hitzacker, approx. 55 km

Once you have left the old royal seat behind you, you will pass through the marshes, a former marshland that was made usable through drainage. A diverse world of flora and fauna awaits you at Bleckede Elbe Castle. A short stretch now takes you through the Sandbergen. Hitzacker lies on the river Jeetzel, which flows into the Elbe here.

View from the banks of the Elbe to Hitzacker

View from the banks of the Elbe to Hitzacker

Day 4: Hitzacker – Wittenberge, approx. 75 km

Today you cycle through the former East-West-German border area, which is the reason for the natural preservation of the Elbe floodplains. Places like Gorleben and Dannenberg show that the area was not always as peaceful as it seems today. Wittenberge is the most important town of the region.

Elbe near Wittenberge

Elbe near Wittenberge

Day 5: Wittenberge – Havelberg, approx. 40 km

Today you cycle through lonely stretches of land that are almost deserted due to the high flooding rate of the river here. This makes the ride a very special experience. You pass through Rühstadt, which is said to be the village with the most storks in Germany. The fortified bishop's seat of Havelberg used to be an important shipbuilding center and is a very idyllic stage destination.

Havelberg

The Hanseatic town of Havelberg

Day 6: Havelberg – Rathenow, approx. 55 km

From today, the Havel is your companion through the green fields and small villages of the Schollener Land. About halfway between Havelberg and Rathenow, you pass through Stölln, the birthplace of Otto Lilienthal. You finish the stage in Rathenow. Around 15,000 optical instruments, spectacles and scientific equipment in the Optik-Industrie-Museum bear witness to Rathenow's impressive industrial history.

Cyclists

Cyclists

Day 7: Rathenow – Brandenburg City, approx. 65 km

You cycle through the lake district north-east of the city to Brandenburg. The town is spread over several islands and peninsulas. The cityscape is therefore characterized by a large number of bridges. The Havel, which flows through the city and splits into many watercourses and ditches, was used in the past for transportation, fortification and to power mills.

Sanssouci Palace

Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam

Day 8: Brandenburg City – Potsdam, approx. 60 km

First, the route takes you along dyke paths across open land towards Werder. The name aptly describes the town's location as land surrounded by water. Due to the mild climate around Werder, it is one of the largest fruit-growing regions in Germany. You should plan some time for a visit to Caputh Castle. Then cycle along the idyllic lakeside promenade of Lake Templiner See to Potsdam.

 

Potsdam

Potsdam city center

Day 9: Potsdam – Berlin-Center, approx. 50 km

The Glienicke Bridge has spanned the Havel since 1907 and connects Berlin and the Brandenburg capital of Potsdam. The so-called  Agentenbrücke (agents' bridge) was a legendary location during the Cold War. You should also visit Glienicke Palace! Cross Lake Großer Wannsee by ferry (not included). Once you arrive in Berlin-Spandau, follow the Spree to the center of Berlin.

Berlin Cathedral

Berlin Cathedral

Day 10: Individual departure

After breakfast, your cycle tour from Hamburg to Berlin comes to an end. However, we are also happy to extend your vacation in Germany's capital city.

Sunset in Berlin

Sunset in Berlin

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and Prices 2025

Arrival on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays from 02.04.2025 to 29.10.2025Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
02.04. - 11.05.
11.09. - 29.10.
from1199 €
Season B
12.05. - 10.09.

from1249 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 9 nights with breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Berlin-Center, max. 2 pieces of luggage per person, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service-Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
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Not included is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 13 to 17 years

-10%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

Due to the more demanding stages, we recommend this trip only for young people with good stamina.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

389 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Berlin-Center
 DBL

95 €

 SGL

135 €

Hamburg
 DBL

95 €

 SGL

129 €

All prices are per person

Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
159 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
319 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 7-gear unisex bike, hub gears with coaster brake (men's bikes from 1.75 m)
  • 21-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bikes from 1.75 m)
  • E-bike / pedelec, hub gears with coaster brake
Fittings

Pannier, pump, bike lock, repair kit, map holder
on request: mileometer (to be specified when booking)

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Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Hamburg / Berlin
  • Length
    approx. 455 km
    Daily routes ●●●●○
    between 40 and 75 km, Ø 55 km
    Altitude profile ●○○○○
  • Trail conditions
    The route runs without any significant climbs on mostly flat terrain.
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    The trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility.

Days
10

Ø km per day
55