- 7:15 h
- 113.28 km
- 169 m
- 180 m
- 47 m
- Start: Lüneburg
- Destination: Lübeck-Travemünde
As a spice and preservative, salt was one of the most important trade goods for centuries, to which cities such as Lüneburg and Lübeck owe their power and wealth.
Good to know
Best to visit
Directions
Day 1: From Lüneburg to Lauenburg, 23 km
The first stage begins in Lüneburg in Lower Saxony. From there, you cycle past the old Lüne Monastery, then along the Elbe Lateral Canal and the boat lift in Scharnebeck. Via Hohnstorf, you reach the old Elbe shipping town of Lauenburg. The picturesque old town of the 800-year-old half-timbered town nestles close to the wooded Elbe slope, which is up to 50 metres high and drops steeply down to the Elbe, and has a lot to offer besides flair: Cyclists can learn all about the life of the river boatmen in the new Elbe Shipping Museum.
Day 2: From Lauenburg to Mölln, 37 km
The Elbe-Lübeck Canal begins at the small harbour in Lauenburg with the first of seven canal locks. The neighbouring Palm Lock, the oldest surviving chamber lock in Northern Europe, is a listed building. The route continues along quiet farm tracks. Near the settlement of Siebeneichen, you pass the only wire rope ferry on the Elbe-Lübeck Canal. Continue along the old towpath to the apex of the waterway in the Eulenspiegel town of Mölln. In the half-timbered town of Mölln, the Eulenspiegel Museum tells the legendary story of the jester.
Day 3: From Mölln to Lübeck-Travemünde, 55 km
A charming chain of lakes surrounds Mölln. In addition to the Romanesque-Gothic church of St Nicolai and the Gothic town hall, the Eulenspiegel fountain is particularly popular. Five locks now regulate the "descent" from the top of the canal, 12 metres above sea level, to sea level near Lübeck. The village churches in Berkenthin and Krummesse are worth a short stop en route. In Lübeck, magnificent town houses, the town hall, the salt warehouses and the massive Holsten Gate await. Lübeck-Travemünde with its Vorderreihe and the large ferry harbour offers a beautiful end to the tour.
Route markings
Trail conditions and level of difficulty
- The route is easy to cycle and mostly leads along paved sandy paths and low-traffic roads.
- The route is largely flat. There are minor inclines on the secondary route.
- The cycle route is fully signposted and marked with logos.
- The route has a low level of difficulty and is suitable for beginners, leisure cyclists and families with children.
Equipment
- Helmet
- Bike suitable for the road
- Rain jacket
- Backpack with food
Directions & Parking facilities
A 24 Hamburg-Berlin, exit Talkau, B 207 A 20 Lübeck-Rostock, exit Groß Sarau, B 207
Travelling by train (DB)
Train station on the Lüneburg-Lübeck line www.bahn.de Almost the entire Duchy of Lauenburg lies in the HVV catchment area www.hvv.de
Travelling by bus
Regular scheduled services to the Baltic seaside resorts and to Berlin www.autokraft.de Express bus from Hamburg Wandsbek www.hvv.de
Travelling by airplane
Luebeck Blankensee Airport www.flughafen-luebeck.de Hamburg Airport www.airport.de
Additional information
Rest and accommodation
Rest areas, refuges, shelters, barbecue areas and playgrounds are available at various intervals along the entire route.
In the towns, cafés and restaurants invite you to linger and enjoy.
For overnight accommodation, we recommend youth hostels, campsites or one of the numerous Bed+Bike establishments along the Old Salt Road. You can find lists of suitable accommodation at www.herzogtum-lauenburg.de and www.bettundbike.de.
Literature
Author
Organization
Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH
License (master data)
Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Safety guidelines
- Helmet
- Compliance with the StVo.
Map
Nearby
