--- title: "Old salt route \"Alte Salzstraße\"" url: "https://www.herzogtum-lauenburg.de/en/tour/long-distance-old-salt-route" description: "Where valuable salt was transported to Lübeck on sandy paths in the Middle Ages, cyclists today discover the beauty of the Duchy of Lauenburg in all its diversity on the historic trade route.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." language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://dam.destination.one/1251864/a7002b328257aa73801ccdda4db0eeea7cd7dac6265116e5eda5b04a6894a2e5/paar-auf-der-alten-salzstra-e.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Herzogtum Lauenburg Tourism > Special > Destination.Data Details > Tour" --- GPX Share Old salt route "Alte Salzstraße" ================================ - 113.28 km long - Difficulty: easy - Condition: easy - unpaved - cycling - themed trails - Family tour Paar auf der Alten Salzstraße Rad fahren Nahaufnahme Radfahrerin auf der Alten Salzstraße bei Berkenthin. - 7:15 h - 113.28 km - 169 m - 180 m - 47 m - - Start: Lüneburg - Destination: Lübeck-Travemünde **CURRENT REROUTING: Due to a landslide with major damage to the canal cycle path south of Mölln, there is a detour via the parallel agricultural road. Please follow the detour signs on site (as of 30.07.2025).** The 113 km long Old Salt Road connects the old Hanseatic cities of Lüneburg and . Where valuable salt was transported to Lübeck on sandy paths in the Middle Ages, cyclists today discover the beauty of the in all its diversity on the historic trade route. 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. Read more Logo_RadwegAlteSalzstr.jpg Logo_RadwegAlteSalzstr.jpg Logo Radfernweg Alte Salzstraße Good to know ------------ Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions The Old Salt Road can be explored by bike in just three days. The long-distance cycle route along the medieval trade route is 116 kilometres long. It leads from the 1000-year-old salt town of Lüneburg from the lowlands of the Elbe into the hilly landscape of the Lauenburg Lakes to the Hanseatic and harbour town of Lübeck and on to the Baltic Sea at Travemünde. The stage destinations are the shipping town of Lauenburg, the Eulenspiegel town of Mölln and the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. The cycle route has hardly any gradients and runs directly along the Elbe-Lübeck canal. The water-bound, easily navigable route is away from road traffic. Cyclists will be delighted with the connection options to other important long-distance cycle routes: In Lauenburg, the popular Elbe Cycle Route and the Hamburg - Rügen long-distance cycle route join the "Old Salt Road" and in Lübeck-Travemünde, the route connects to the Baltic Sea Cycle Route. **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. Read more 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. Read more Equipment - Helmet - Bike suitable for the road - Rain jacket - Backpack with food Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Getting there**Travelling by **car**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 Travelling by **bus** Regular scheduled services to the Baltic seaside resorts and to Berlin www.autokraft.de Express bus from Hamburg Wandsbek Travelling by **airplane** Luebeck Blankensee Airport www.flughafen-luebeck.de Hamburg Airport Read more **Parking**A sufficient number of parking spaces are signposted Read more 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 and . Read more Literature Read more Author Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbHHauptstraße 150 23879 Mölln Organization Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH License (master data) Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author A popular detour for guests is to Ratzeburg, right in the centre of the Lauenburg Lakes Nature Park, home to eagles and kingfishers. Read more Safety guidelines - Helmet - Compliance with the StVo. Read more Map können Sie kostenlos weitere Informationen/Prospekte bestellen. Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Guided tour/sightseeing - Autumn - Guided tour/sightseeing - Place of interest - bike hire/repair - Tourist information - point of intrest - Tours 111.77 km - cycling 40.65 km - cycling 167.14 km - cycling Contact **Herzogtum Lauenburg Marketing und Service GmbH** Hauptstraße 150 23879 Mölln Download GPX file - - - -