Overview
Cycling the Baltic Coast: Lübeck to Stralsund takes you through the unspoiled coastal countryside of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, passing fine sandy beaches which are just waiting for you to stop at for a dip. The tour starts in the northern German city of Lübeck, from where you will start cycling past fine sandy beaches, aristocratic seaside resorts, and charming fishing villages along the Baltic Sea. You will marvel at the landscapes, the imposing cliffs and the impressive pine forests, and explore the region’s cultural riches, such as the historical Hanseatic cities and numerous tourist attractions on the way from Lübeck to Stralsund. The tour is suitable for both beginner and intermediate cyclists, going through mostly flat and slightly hilly terrain. If you need a break in between, you can also shorten some cycling stages by train.
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Itinerary
Please note that if you choose the upgraded accommodation option, there might be slight changes in the itinerary, affecting only some of the overnights’ locations.
Day 1: Individual arrival in Lübeck
The tour starts in the old and gracious Hanseatic town of Lübeck, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, known for the Holsten Gate, marzipan and Thomas Mann. Bite into a yummy fish roll to start your holiday mood.
- Accommodation: Waldhotel Twiehaus or similar (optional upgrade: Vier Jahreszeiten)
Day 2: Lübeck – Boltenhagen | 40 to 45km
Today you start your cycling tour. In Travemünde you can take a break to see Germany’s oldest lighthouse, before continuing along the coast. Cycling through the Brooker Wald nature reserve, you soon reach Boltenhagen, the second oldest seaside resort in Mecklenburg. You can look over the entire bay from the cliffs.
- Accommodation: Ostseehotel Klützer Winkel in Hohen Schönberg or similar (optional upgrade: Gutshaus Redewisch)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 40 / 45km + ferry trip (not included)
Day 3: Boltenhagen – Wismar | 30 to 45km
You continue, mostly along the coast, to the old Hanseatic town of Wismar. From here we recommend a short trip to Poel island to explore its long sandy beaches and go for a swim. Historic city walls from the Thirty Years’ War add charm to the island.
- Accommodation: Fründts Hotel or similar (optional upgrade: Vienna House Stadt Hamburg or similar)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45 / 30km
Day 4: Wismar – Bad Doberan | 45 to 70km
On the way to Kühlungsborn, cliffs and beautiful beaches alternate along your path, offering great views and swimming opportunities. Stroll through Bad Doberan through the English park, Kamp, or get on a steam-train called “Molli”, to the beach.
- Accommodation: Hotel Doberaner Hof or similar (optional upgrade: Vier Jahreszeiten Kühlungsborn)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45 – 70km
Day 5: Bad Doberan – Wustrow | 30 to 60km
Just before Nienhagen is the “haunted forest” – a mixed forest of trees that have taken weird and wonderful shapes because of the age-old influence of the salty, moist sea air and the stormy winds. Via Warnemünde you cycle to Wustrow, on the Fischland-Darss peninsular, the former border between Mecklenburg and Pommern.
- Accommodation: Deutsches Haus or similar (optional upgrade: Hotel Der Fischländer)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 30 – 60km + ferry trip (not incl.)
Day 6: Wustrow – Barth | 40 to 45km
Discover the “Darßer Wald” (Darss woods) and the romantic of the wild west beach, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Prerow it can only be reached by foot, by bike or by horse-drawn carriage. Via Zingst, you cycle back to the mainland, to the former Swedish town of Barth.
- Accommodation: Pension Eshramo or similar (optional upgrade: Vier Jahreszeiten)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 40 – 45km
Day 7: Barth – Stralsund | 45 to 60km
You go on the last section of your tour: the three towers of the Hanseatic town of Stralsund beckon from afar. Its former importance as a trading town can still be seen today. Let your evening come to a pleasant end in the old town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site because it has been so beautifully preserved.
- Accommodation: Hotel Hiddenseer or similar (optional upgrade: Hotel Hafenresidenz)
- Cycling for the day: approx. 45 – 60km
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast, you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in en-suite double rooms in typical Inns and B&Bs, which are normally of a 3-star standard. We can optionally upgrade them to the best in town 3 or 4-star hotels. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view standard hotels
- Waldhotel Twiehaus
- Ostseehotel Klützer Winkel
- Fründts Hotel Wismar
- Hotel Doberaner Hof
- Deutsches Haus
- Pension Eshramo
- Hotel Hiddenseer
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel from the ones listed above is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Vier Jahreszeiten
- Gutshaus Redewisch
- Vienna House Stadt Hamburg
- Vier Jahreszeiten Kühlungsborn
- Hotel Der Fischländer
- Vier Jahreszeiten in Zingst
- Hotel Hafenresidenz
Note that hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel from the ones listed above is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops or you can pre-order a packed lunch at your hotel. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
The holiday is appropriate for cyclists with some experience and requires an average level of fitness; average distance per day is approximately 40-60km, mostly on dedicated bike lanes with no steep ascents or descents (read more about difficulty grades). If you rent an e-bike, this trip is practically accessible to everyone. The bike path is very well way-marked. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from May until October. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this holiday is Hamburg.
By train or bus
- The recommended arrival train station is Lübeck Hauptbahnhof (main station).
- There is also a train connection between Stralsund and Lübeck.
- Up-to-date train schedules are available here: www.bahn.de or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays in private en-suite rooms with breakfast included as described in the itinerary
- Luggage transfer on all cycling days (no limit on the number of pieces per person, max 20kg)
- Entrance Ozeaneum Stralsund
- Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Ferry trips Travemünde – Priwall and Warnemünde – Hohe Düne, each approx. EUR 2.50 per person incl. bike
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Bike rental (standard hybrid bike or e-bike)
- Extra nights
- Hotel upgrade to the best in town 3 and 4-star hotels
- Transfer Stralsund – Lübeck (upon request, available on Saturdays and Sundays only)
Bike Rental
We offer rental of standard trekking bikes, perfectly suitable for the routes of the trip, and e-bikes for those who would like to take it easy. All rental bikes are equipped with a pannier, handlebar bag, mileometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, and one repair set per booking included in the bags.
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