The 2 Rivers Tour from the Port to the Spree Metropolis
The rivers Elbe and Havel connect the lively harbour-metropolis Hamburg with the German capital Berlin. On the bicycle tour along the two rivers you will pass tranquil floodplains, sleepy villages and charming half-timbered towns. From Hamburg to Wittenberge you will cycle along the Elbe River and then you will follow the Havel River to Berlin.
Along the Havel you will experience the extensive landscape of the Westhavelland Natural Reserve. Passing through the cities Brandenburg and Werder, you will reach Potsdam with its unique Palace and Park Sanssouci. Having crossed the large Wannsee Lake by ferry, you will soon reach Berlin-Spandau. From here you will follow the Spree River Cycle Path right into Berlin’s city centre.
Day 1: Individual arrival in Hamburg
After your arrival in Hamburg, explore the Hanseatic city either on a boat trip through the harbour or take a walk along the jetties.
Overnight stay in Hamburg
Day 2: Hamburg – Lauenburg (approx. 57 km)
On the first stage of your tour you will cycle on dykes along the Elbe to Lauenburg. The old shipping town is studded with half-timbered houses from the 16th and the 17th century.
Overnight stay in Lauenburg
Day 3: Lauenburg – Hitzacker (approx. 53 km)
Today’s cycle tour through sleepy villages and the Elbe Floodplain UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with its largely untouched fluvial landscape will lead you to Hitzacker. The town’s historic centre with numerous half-timbered houses is picturesque situated on an island and invites you for a stroll.
Overnight stay in Hitzacker
Day 4: Hitzacker – Wittenberge (approx. 75 km)
On your fourth day you will continue to ride through the peaceful Elbe floodplains. Enjoy the tranquillity and wildlife along the way. You will also pass the former inner German borderland. Soon after that, Wittenberge will appear on the horizon, well known for its many towers.
Overnight stay in Wittenberge
Day 5: Wittenberge – Havelberg (approx. 38 km)
After leaving Wittenberge you will cycle on dykes along the banks of the Elbe to Havelberg. The town is situated at the river Havel. Visit the city’s impressive cathedral in the Romanesque and Gothic style made of red-brick.
Overnight stay in Havelberg
Day 6: Havelberg – Rathenow (approx. 52 km)
From today on your tour continues along the Havel River Cycle Path passing green fields and small villages. You will finish the stage in the "city of optics" Rathenow. We recommend a visit at the Optics Museum and the Optic Park.
Overnight stay in Rathenow
Day 7: Rathenow – Stadt Brandenburg (approx. 65 km)
Today you should pack your swimwear because the cycle path will lead through the lake region north of the city Brandenburg. The city itself is scattered over several islands and peninsulas worth exploring.
Overnight stay in Stadt Brandenburg
Day 8: Stadt Brandenburg – Potsdam (approx. 61 km)
At the beginning of the stage, you will cycle on dykes along the Havel through vast landscape. Allow some time to visit the town Werder situated on an island and the Palace Caputh with its garden. In the afternoon the idyllic waterfront of the Lake Templin will guide you to Potsdam.
Overnight stay in Potsdam
Day 9: Potsdam – Central Berlin (approx. 50 km)
On the last stage of your cycle tour, you will cross the Glienicke Bridge first and find yourself in the German capital – Berlin. Continuing the tour you will take the ferry across the Wannsee Lake (costs not included) and then ride along the Spree Cycle Path right into Berlin’s city centre.
Overnight stay in Central Berlin
Day 10: Individual departure from Berlin
Take your time to review your memories of the journey along the Elbe and Havel before departure. You are welcome to prolong your cycling holidays with additional nights, e.g. in Hamburg or other towns along the route from Hamburg to Berlin. We will be delighted to arrange the accommodations for you.
FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)
Accommodation categories
We book bike-friendly hotels and guesthouses with mainly 3-star standard for you.
Further information
Local taxes such as visitor's tax or city tax, parking, pets, lunch packages and ferries are not included in the tour price unless otherwise stated and must be paid locally.
This tour, you can do without printed travel documents – you will receive all information digitally (PDF route booklet and GPS data). As a thank you, we offer you a discount of 20 € per room. Simple, practical and with less paper! Please select this option when booking. The request applies to all rooms in the booking and cannot be selected differently for each room.
By the way
By taking this tour, you are making a direct contribution to nature conservation. We make regular donations to Naturschutzjugend Dresden – from the proceeds of our tours as well as from other initiatives such as internal auctions.
Arrival by train:
Hamburg is easy to reach by train from all major cities in Germany.
From Hamburg's main train station, you then have the option of using public transportation to get to your hotel.
Current timetable information and prices can be found at Sie unter www.bahn.de or at www.hvv.de.
Arrival by car and parking facilities:
Depending on the hotel, there are direct parking options or often nearby.
Please understand that there are limited parking facilities at the hotel, especially in the city centers.
Check directly with your starting hotel to see if they offer parking. At www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of other parking options and we will be happy to inform you individually.
Level of difficulty: average
Place-to-place tour
AugustusTours Original Tour (organized by AugustusTours)
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