Heath route

Your journey begins at the Landungsbrücken, against the backdrop of the striking tower and the domed copper roofs that are so characteristic of Hamburg. The 700-metre-long pier is the departure point for harbour boat trips and port ferries. Standing there, you could almost forget that you are on floating ground. The first of the pontoons were built in 1839 and served as moorings for steamships – the historic building here was used to store the coal that was needed for propulsion. The tower on the east side not only displays the time but also indicates the water level and rings the ship’s bell every half hour. Once you are on the other side at Finkenwerder, you will need a bicycle to continue.
You can either rent a StadtRad bike in Finkenwerder, or you can board the ferry no. 62 with a bike. Hamburg’s port ferries are part of the HVV public transport system. Either way, you can now enjoy the marvellous views as you make your way down the Elbe past many popular sights: the Landungsbrücken, the famous St Pauli fish market, the Altona Cruise Center and the photogenic Dockland office building. Further to the east you will spot the beautiful Elbe beach adjacent to the Oevelgönne museum harbour. Looking over to the other side of the river, you can get an exciting glimpse of Hamburg’s busy container port and spot a couple of large container ships or cruise liners. Towards the end, the ferry crosses the Elbe and stops in Finkenwerder – the gateway to Altes Land, Northern Germany’s largest fruit-growing area.

Leaving the ferry behind, you will now cycle south-west via Finkenwerder Norderdeich and Neßdeich towards Hamburg’s Airbus factory. On an area the size of almost 500 football pitches, this is where state-of-the-art passenger aircraft are constructed. From a visitor hill at the runway you can see the impressive A300-600ST Beluga transport aircraft taking off and landing. Guided tours of the site are also available but can only be booked in advance. The tour continues in the direction of Neuenfelde, a rural quarter of Hamburg and part of the Altes Land. Here you can find various listed farmhouses as well as three ornamented gates from the 17th century, which are located in front of the Quast, Palm and Jonas residences.
The Altes Land region is a unique stretch of land that extends over a length of 30 kilometres south of the River Elbe to the Hanseatic city of Stade. With a cultivation area of approx. 10,500 hectares, it is one of the largest fruit-growing areas in Europe. Some 10 million fruit trees grow here, 90 percent of which are apple trees. As you cycle along this charming landscape with its extensive, lush green apple plantations and historic half-timbered farm houses, the hustle and bustle of the city quickly fades into oblivion. The route continues through a completely undeveloped moorland belt that takes you to Neugraben-Fischbek, where you will soon reach Fischbeker Heide after crossing the federal road.

Fischbeker Heide is a nature reserve comprising 773 hectares of heathland. Especially during the heather blossom in late summer and when the leaves turn into the most colourful hues in autumn, the region is well worth a visit. The wide open heath landscape is dotted with groups of trees and many smaller woodlands. A diverse flora and fauna can be found here. With hiking paths meandering through this unique hilled landscape, you can lose yourself for hours.

While you are here, you might want to follow the archaeological hiking trail that stretches from the Waldfrieden bus stop to the “Schafstall” nature conservation information centre. Leading you along 13 stations, it includes ground monuments from the Iron Age, Bronze Age and Stone Age. In the western part of Fischbeker Heide you will find the Fischbek gliding site. On clear days, you have a wonderful view to the far north from here, allowing you to oversee the Elbe valley (Hamburg-Blankenese) and even see as far as the neighbouring state of Schleswig-Holstein. At the gliding site, you can watch the light gliders being catapulted into the sky with a winch in the middle of the unpaved terrain. If you are brave-hearted, you can also join a ride following prior registration.

From the S-Bahn station of Neugraben or Fischbek, you can quickly get back to the city centre with the S3 line; StadtRad rental bikes can be returned at Neugraben station.

As a route planner, we strive to put together particularly diverse routes through Hamburg's most beautiful areas. Did you like our Heath route? We look forward to receiving your feedback. To discover even more unique places in Hamburg, take a look at our city map.