Explore the northern shores, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburgh

The southern Germans are a bit dismissive of this corner of their own country: “Want to know who’s coming for dinner?” they joke, “Look out of the window at breakfast.” It’s true this is flatter than much of the rest of the country, but that doesn’t mean there’s no good riding – just that it generates a more relaxed kind of route than you find in hillier areas.

Rather than peaks, this area is all about the great coastline – two great coasts, in fact. As well as the North Sea, there’s the Baltic. If you like big skies and a windswept landscape, this is for you. With plenty of history in the older towns and ports, it’s a great destination. Part of the attraction of this north-eastern corner of Germany is the slight sense of time travel. Much of this was East Germany, until the Berlin wall came down. A lot of money has gone into modernising it, minimising the differences to the old West… but there’s still a quirky feel to some towns. It’s unlike any other part of the country.

Simon explains the engineering behind the Karnin Lift Bridge of Peenebrücke. Weeble feigns interest…

Where to stay

Neumünster

This quiet town in the centre of Schleswig-Holstein makes an ideal base for exploring the land between the North Sea and the Baltic. Handy for Kiel, but half as busy. Hotel tip: Neues Parkhotel

Neustrelitz

Need a base from which to ride the Mecklenburg lake district? Look no further than the baroque town of Neustrelitz, on the shores of Kierkersee. The old ducal palace may have been destroyed but visit the palace gardens while you’re in town. Hotel tip: Öko Hotel

Stralsund

With a fabulous old town, this Hanseatic port facing the island of Rugen makes the perfect place to stay when riding the Baltic coast. While you’re there, visit Gorch Fock, the three-masted floating museum and the amazing town hall. Hotel tip: Hiddenseer Hotel

Things to see

Heligolander Kegelrobben

Take a ferry from Cuxhaven to the island of Heligoland – in walking boots rather than bike boots, as the big draw is the clifftop walk (about two hours). Look out for Lange Anna – a tall sea stack at the northern end of the Island.

Glücksburg Castle

Glücksburg Castle is a fascinating castle in the far north of Schleswig-Holstein, near the Danish border. As beautiful as anything in France’s Loire castle region but distinctly German.

Lübeck

Amazing brick-built Hanseatic town (well, small city). Look out for the two ancient city gates: the Citadel Gate and the Holsten Gate – there’s a good museum in the latter (the Holstentor).

Ratzeburg

Historic town shoehorned onto a tiny island in a lake (the Grosser Ratzenburger See). Fascinating brick-built Gothic buildings and a lovely cathedral – all easy to appreciate im a relatively short sight-seeing stop.

Rockets

Werner von Braun and his colleagues pretty much invented rocket science at Peenemünder, on the Baltic coast, as they developed the V2 for Hitler. There’s a fascinating museum dedicated to rocket science in the heart of the small town now.

Rostock

Once East Germany’s largest port, going further back Rostock was one of the richest cities in the Hanseatic League – with one of the world’s oldest universities. Lots to see, from the old city walls and the Nikolaikirche (St Nicholas Church) and Mariankirche (Maria Church). Took a battering from the RAF in WWII but was lovingly restored.

Schwerin

An attractive lakeside town… but the real attraction is the fabulous castle built on its own island, surrounded by beautiful gardens. Now the Schwerin Museum, with a huge collection of art plus visiting exhibitions.

Steam trains

The Mollibahn is a perfectly preserved narrow-gauge railway running between Bad Doberan and Ostseebad Kühlungsborn outside Rostock.

U-boats

Plenty more war interest in this region – with several U-boats or U-boat stations now converted to be museum. The Fehmarn U-Boat Museum, with U11, is good or visit U461, which is moored in Peenemunde.

Map of North East Germany motorcycle routes

OUR ROUTES

6 Rügen and Peenemunde

A full day’s ride exploring Germany’s largest island, Rügen, before heading down the coast to Peenemünde. NB: requires two ferry crossings.
Start/finish: Stralsund
Distance: 230 miles
Riding time: 7 hours
GPX file

7 Swiss Holstein

Who says it’s all flat in north-east Germany? This route takes in the region of lakes and gentle hills south of Kiel that’s known as 'Swiss Holstein'. Also heads out to the Baltic island of Fehmarn.
Start/finish: Neumunster
Distance: 160 miles
Riding time: 4.5 hours
GPX file

8 Müritz miles (Lakeland)

There’s lovely, relaxed riding in the Mecklenburg lake district. It has scenery, quiet roads and villages for regular stops.
Start/finish: Neustrelitz
Distance: 170 miles
Riding time: 5 hours
GPX file

9 Elbe room

There’s great riding in the countryside around Hamburg – but why stay in the city? It’s just too big. Much better to decamp to charming Luneburg and explore the roads around the River Elbe.
Start/finish: Luneburg
Distance: 140 miles
Riding time: 4.5 hours
GPX file

10 Holstein goodness

A short but sweet route around the western coast of Schleswig-Holstein – more about smiles per mile than miles per hour. Relaxed enough to be done in an afternoon or after a very late start.
Start/finish: Itzehoe
Distance: 100 miles
Riding time: 3.4 hours
GPX file

Please note: This page contains the motorcycle touring routes for The RiDE Guide To Germany and Austria which came free with RiDE magazine in August 2019. These website pages are not regularly updated, so please check all critical information before you travel. All route files are in .gpx format. Garmin and BMW users can download the main file, which contains all the routes. TomTom users can either download the individual routes or use the MyRouteApp (depending on the age of your device). For many routes we also have Google Map links. However, as Google Maps will not plot routes over seasonally closed roads, such as high Alpine passes when they’re shut, so these may not work for every route all year round.