The Pearls of Schleswig-Holstein

The little town of Husum is shaped by the interplay of the tides. The North Sea extends to the inland port. Watch the ebb and flow in the middle of the town up close. Stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways and marvel at the picturesque gabled houses in different colours.

You are now leaving the North Sea behind and cycle along the Eider-Treene-Sorge Path to Hollingstedt, where you find the largest archeological monument in Northern Europe dating back to the Vikings: the Haithabu trading post and the Danewerk rampards. Soon you have reached your Day Finish, the lovelable town of Schleswig, which is situated directly on the banks of the Schlei. Gottolf Palace, the Baroque garden and the giant globe are certainly worth a visit.

The Schlei accompanies you on today’s stage. Between Schleswig and the transition to the open sea there are numerous pretty places, such as Arnis, the smallest town in Germany. Take a break here and enjoy the maritime flair. A little further you reach Kappeln, where you can marvel at the largest Dutch mill of the state, the ‚Hering‘-fence and the ‚Museumshafen‘ open air museum.

The Baltic Sea resort of Damp can be reached via the Schwansen peninsula. Damp’s four-kilometre long sandy beach offers you the opportunity to relax in a beach chair. Onwards through unspoilt nature, past old avenues, over rolling hills and green forests to Eckernförde. Spend the evening at the idyllic harbour with the marvellous promenade. Be sure to taste the freshly caught fish in one of the cosy restaurants.

Today’s stage takes you through the hinterland, past Lake Wittensee, to Rendsburg. Here you reach the Kiel Canal with the historic high bridge and transporter bridge. Would you like to cover more kilometres and are your legs still fit? Then alternatively cycle along the coast in the direction of Kiel. The Kiel Canal flows into the sea just before the Schleswig-Holstein state capital. It is one of the busiest waterways in the world and you will mostly follow it on your route to Rendsburg.

Stroll through the historic centre of Rendsburg with its narrow alleys, medieval squares and the old town hall. Back on your bike you will once again cycle through enchanting nature and small villages featuring houses with thatched roofs, where time seems to have stood still. The Dutch man town of Friedrichstadt with its ‚Gracht‘-canals is located between the rivers Eider and Treene and is absolutely worth a visit.

On the way to Tönning with its historic harbour and National Park-visitor centre you pass the well-known Hoyerswort manor house. After Tönning you pass the impressive Eider barrage. You soon reach St. Peter-Ording with its 12 km long flat sandy beach. From the dunes you have an unmistakable view over the houses on stilts, the whizzing sand yachts and the open sea. You should definitely plan a trip to Germany’s most famous lighthouse, Westerhever. Then take the train to Husum, your final Day Finish.