Berlin – Hameln cycle path

 Map with all coordinates of the places from the starting point : OSM | WikiMap

Berlin – Hameln Cycle Route (RBH)
overall length	400 km
location	Berlin Brandenburg Saxony-Anhalt Lower Saxony
Starting point	Berlin 52 ° 31 ′ 7 ″  N , 13 ° 24 ′ 30 ″  E
Target point	Hameln 52 ° 6 ′ 11 ″  N , 9 ° 21 ′ 36 ″  E
Height difference	Ascent: 1940 m, descent: 1980 m
difficulty	light
Traffic volume	traffic-free cycle path
Connection to	Weserradweg , Leine-Heide-Radweg , Weser-Harz-Heide-Radfernweg , Aller-Radweg , Elberadweg , Tour Brandenburg , Europaradweg R1 , Havelradweg , Spreeradweg , Radweg Berlin – Copenhagen , Radfernweg Berlin – Usedom , Radweg Berlin – Leipzig
Website URL	hi-radtouren.de

The cycle route Berlin – Hameln (short: RBH) connects the Weserbergland (Hameln) with the Brandenburg-Potsdamer Havel area (Berlin) with a total distance of 400 km and crosses the Leinebergland , the Hildesheimer Börde , the Schöppenstedter Mulde, the Magdeburg Börde , the Elbe, the Fläming and the Zauche . On the entire route (only) about 2000 meters in altitude have to be overcome (i.e. 5 m per km); There are no extreme climbs. The entire route can therefore be covered in six daily stages at a moderate cruising speed.

Two basic ideas determine the route: On the one hand, the RBH offers a spacious west-east connection north of the German low mountain range and, in contrast to the European long-distance cycle route R1, avoids significant gradients on the edge of the Harz. On the other hand, the route has been chosen in such a way that mainly routes that are far from car traffic and easy to cycle are used.

In Lower Saxony, the RBH is already completely signposted (i.e. between Hameln and Schöningen with the Schöningen Research Museum ); in Saxony-Anhalt (between Hötensleben and Üplingen) and in Brandenburg (between Dippmannsdorf and Lehnin) this is also the case. Another signposting is planned. The ADFC- Hildesheim looks after the RBH and provides various maps, geodata and a smartphone app (for Android) on the homepage, with which the route is easy to understand and navigate.

The RBH is of particular interest among people who want to see the beauty of different landscapes away from the main streams of traffic and tourists and who are just as interested in the cultural attractions of the cities ( Hameln , Hildesheim , Wolfenbüttel , Potsdam ) as in the more quiet, but in its diversity nevertheless impressive life in the country and in its villages. Many a gem can be discovered.

History of the bike path

At the beginning of the 2000s, Uwe Jenss from the ADFC Hildesheim came up with the plan to develop a cycle path through the Hildesheimer Börde in order to open up further interesting cycle tours in the region between the large urban regions of Hanover and Braunschweig as well as in the rural surroundings of Hildesheim. He soon expanded this project and included the Magdeburg Börde. The comparative crossing of these two very fertile arable landscapes had a very special charm for him, especially since he was able to use the diverse valley landscape of the Schöppenstedter Mulde as a connection.

Finally, Uwe Jenss expanded his project again: A long-distance cycle path was to be created - also as a nicer alternative to the R1 . B. along the edge of the Harz is very arduous and bypasses the wooded Fläming very far south. It took Uwe Jenss about ten years to explore all the small paths, which he was ultimately able to combine to form a route that largely avoids motorways for over 400 km and at the same time adheres to the desired west-east direction. Uwe also suspected that the 'Greater Berlin', which emerged after the fall of the Berlin Wall, should offer more long-distance bike paths to local cyclists - there was still no alternative to the R1 and the routes to the north and south-west. This was also the reason for the naming, in which 'Berlin' is addressed as the starting point. However, if you want to take advantage of the tailwind that comes mostly from the west, you better start in Hameln.

Uwe managed to persuade the districts in Lower Saxony to sign the RBH. In Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg he was only partly. successful with it. But the great interest shown by local tourism promoters in the RBH will hopefully bring about the necessary funding here too in the foreseeable future.

Unfortunately Uwe Jenss died in 2013. His life's work lives on and is continued by the ADFC Hildesheim. In the meantime, the homepage not only offers gpx files for downloading and detailed route maps for printing, but also free offline navigation software as a smartphone app. In addition, Karl-Heinz Arnold has written a travel guide for the RBH, which describes cycling on the RBH as a landscape exploration and cultural trip.

Route and sights

First section: From the central Weser Uplands into the Leinetal and Hildesheimer Börde (62 km)

In the lovely historic town of Hameln beginning of RBH through the lovely valley of Remte and so passes without large differences in height, the Weserbergland in the east. A medieval moated castle can be visited in Coppenbrügge . With a view of the imposing mountain range of the Ith , you continue to Lauenstein and from there in an eastward direction to Salzhemmendorf , which has a modern brine thermal bath. Now the RBH follows the valley of the Saale - on the slope of the Thüster Berg . You pass the villages of Ahrenfeld , Esbeck and Sehlde and after a quiet ride through the Feldmark you reach the Leinetal to Elze .

From there it goes downriver to Nordstemmen , past the Marienburg, which is almost as if on a balcony .

The Leine valley is then left to the east. At a pleasant distance from the B1, the RBH leads via Heyersum and Emmerke to Hildesheim , which can boast two great and excellently renovated examples of Romanesque architecture with the Michaelis Church and the Mariendom and has an old town that is well worth seeing.

Second section: Through the Hildesheimer Börde and along the industrial region Salzgitter to Wolfenbüttel (52 km)

Hildesheim is also whose ' Börde is reached. The RBH leads through the fields of this fertile loess soil region and touches the villages of Ottbergen , Wöhle , Nettlingen , Berel and Lesse , and then bypasses the Salzgittersee on the Fuhseradweg. Along the Fuhse you get to Salder Castle (historical city museum; municipal art collections).

Through the Feldmark we continue via Heerte , Barum and Leinde , then cross a beautiful deciduous forest area and reach the outskirts of Wolfenbüttel . The former residence city has something special to offer: the Herzog August Library , the Lessing House , the castle and the half-timbered backdrop of the old town.

Third section: Along the Elm and through the Magdeburg Börde to the Elbe near Schönebeck

Section 1: From Wolfenbüttel to Schöningen (44 km)

To the south, the RBH follows the Oker , then branches off to the east in the direction of Asse and via Klein Denkte and Groß Denkte into the beautiful valley of the Schöppenstedter Mulde, which is framed by the Elm in the north . The route goes halfway through the fields and touches the villages of Dettum , Weferlingen and Bansleben . Schöppenstedt , the town of Till Eulenspiegel (with the museum dedicated to him ), is reached along the Altenau .

Now the RBH swings a little to the south. In Watzum , on a hill in the middle of the village, you can marvel at the originally Romanesque church that looks like a fortress and was later expanded by the temples . A country road with little traffic leads to Warle . From there it goes through the Feldmark with a view of the island-like Heeseberg to Ingeleben and on to Jerxheim .

The transition to the Magdeburg Börde takes place almost imperceptibly. Behind Söllingen , the RBH leads through the fascinating multi-parted valley of the Schöninger Aue, and then ascends to the Elmrand. This is where the town of Schöningen is located , which the Schöningen Research Museum has added - a museum on the early history of human development ( Schöninger Speere ) built in avant-garde architecture . The museum is located right on the edge of the former lignite mine.

Section 2: From Schöningen to Schönebeck / Bad Salzelmen (65 km)

The road from Schöningen to Hötensleben crosses the state border to Saxony-Anhalt . At the entrance to Hötensleben, the border security systems of the GDR have been preserved and turned into a museum area. As you continue through the Feldmark, you will quickly notice that the agricultural areas are very large; you have arrived in the Magdeburg Börde .

Behind Bansleben the RBH runs right through the huge pieces of field mark. Ahead rises near Üplingen , which has a manor chapel that is worth seeing because it is a very unusual octagon , the Bullenberg. The RBH leads up to this 'panoramic mountain' with a moderate incline, from which one has a wonderful view of the Vorder Harz and the Bördeland landscape. Via Eggenstedt (one of the four all springs can be seen at the village square ), take the country road to Seehausen , whose St. Paul church offers a special testimony to early Romanesque architecture .

You cycle through the hilly Feldmark to Gut Meyendorf (former Cistercian inner monastery ) and then to Klein Wanzleben , the so-called sugar village and former center of GDR seed production. Then the city of Wanzleben is reached, which has a beautifully renovated town hall in its historic paving center. The castle complex (now a hotel) with a landscaped garden is well worth seeing on the somewhat higher outskirts of the village .

Continue cycling towards the south, following the Sülzeradweg. The earlier route alternative ran further south through the Feldmark along the Sarre to the former railway junction in Blumenberg . Through the now very flat Börde, it goes via Langenweddingen (the two route variants meet here), Sülldorf (former salt boiler village with salt lake) and Welsleben to Bad Salzelmen .

In this once independent place, which now belongs to Schönebeck, there is a whole ensemble of attractions: the large salt works that are in operation (from 1000 m, there are still 400 m), the adjoining spa park with buildings from the spa era and the historic town center. Schönebeck is located directly on the Elbe and offers, in addition to the impressive Elbe front with the "World Bike" (bicycle manufacture and restaurant), the adjacent Saline Island as a museum park, the modern town hall square, the nearby sculpture park, the former synagogue and the castle used as a diaconal facility Skull life .

Fourth section: From the Elbe through the Fläming to Berlin (165 km)

Section 1: From Schönebeck / Bad Salzelmen to Lehnin (104 km)

The RBH leads through the Elbe meadows and via the village of Plötzky (a detour to the Pretziener Wehr is recommended) to the city of Gommern (Kulksee with dune and rock garden ; moated castle) and from there via a former small railway line to Dannikow. The farm road rises behind the village - with a view of the unique double castle complex in Leitzkau . Two Renaissance castles were added to a large Romanesque basilica. The ensemble stands on a hill and is visible from afar.

Through the Vorfläming with its multi-parted landscape characterized by gentle elevations, you continue on the country road to the town of Möckern , in whose castle the primary school is housed. Several historical buildings and the landscaped garden behind the castle are worth seeing.

The RBH follows the road to Hohenziatz and continues via Klein Lübars , Lübars and Drewitz to Magdeburgerforth . Here, in the center of (northern) Hohen Fläming , the former small train station has been put back into (museum railway) operation. In the east you then cycle for 8 km through a closed forest area, far from any civilization sounds. The “school and prayer house” can be admired in Dretzen . Then you cross a varied forest and meadow landscape and reach the Buckau valley . On a former railway line that has been converted into an excellent cycle path, it then goes to the village of Rottstock . Before that, it is worth taking a detour to Ziesar , about 6 km away , whose castle complex was the seat of a bishopric for two hundred years and whose historic village center is well worth seeing.

Behind Rottstock, another forest stage of the RBH begins, which leads via Dahlen and Weitzgrund to Bad Belzig, which offers several attractions with thermal baths, beautifully designed historic town center and castle. Head north via Lütte to Dippmannsdorf (natural pool; “Paradies” spring trail) through the valley of the Belziger landscape meadows . Via Ragösen (artificial meadow with willow dome) the RBH is guided on a cycle path along the main road to Golzow (octagonal village church). Now you cycle on a country road through the forest region of the Zauche via Michelsdorf to Lehnin , whose former Cistercian monastery is a special attraction. The first lakes of the Havelland are also reached here.

Section 2: From Lehnin to Berlin (61 km)

From Lehnin the RBH leads through a large wooded area to Bliesendorf and now via side roads to Petzow , which is beautifully situated on the lake and offers some attractions (castle with landscaped garden and engineering structures; Schinkel church). It continues along the Havel lakes to the city center of the fascinating state capital Potsdam .

From Petzow, the RBH uses the R1 route. After Potsdam it goes through the Grunewald to Berlin- Charlottenburg and further over the Großer Stern directly to the Brandenburg Gate .

Suggested stages

Variant 6-day tour to Potsdam

(1) Hameln – Hildesheim (60 km; (2) Hildesheim – Wolfenbüttel (52 km); (3) Wolfenbüttel – Schöningen (46 km); (4) Schöningen – Schönebeck / Bad Salzelmen (62 km); (5) Schönebeck / Bad Salzelmen – Rottstock (66 km); (6) Rottstock – Potsdam (65 km)

Variant 6-day tour to Berlin Brandenburg Gate

(1) Hameln – Hildesheim (60 km; (2) Hildesheim – Wolfenbüttel (52 km); (3) Wolfenbüttel – Seehausen (67 km); (4) Seehausen – Möckern (69 km); (5) Möckern – Lehnin ( 74 km); (6) Lehnin – Berlin Brandenburg Gate (61 km)

Condition of the path

The RBH largely avoids motorways and mainly uses agricultural and forestry paths, the nature of which is almost entirely bicycle-friendly (concrete or tarred or water-bound surface). For some sections of the route, little-traveled country roads have to be used. The RBH homepage provides information about special route conditions.

cards

ADFC regional maps (Verlag BVA; 1: 75,000)

• Hanover and the surrounding area. ISBN 978-3-87073-842-6
• Braunschweig and the surrounding area. ISBN 978-3-87073-885-3 .
• Magdeburg and the surrounding area. ISBN 978-3-87073-810-5 .
• Elbe / Havel. ISBN 978-3-87073-743-6 .
• Potsdam / Havelland. ISBN 978-3-87073-959-1 .

Compass bike maps (1: 70,000)

• Bicycle map sheet 3015: Hanover, Region. ISBN 978-3-85026-554-6 .
• Bicycle map sheet 3040: Braunschweig, Wolfsburg. ISBN 978-3-85026-567-6 .
• Bicycle map sheet 3041: Elm, Helmstedt, Halberstadt. ISBN 978-3-85026-568-3 .
• Bicycle map sheet 3042: Colbitz-Letzlinger Heide - Magdeburg waterway intersection. ISBN 978-3-85026-569-0 .
• Bicycle map sheet 3043: Potsdam, Havelland, Fläming. ISBN 978-3-85026-272-9 .
• Bicycle map sheet 3038, Berlin and surroundings, Potsdam. ISBN 978-3-85026-270-5 .

Publishing house Dr. Barthel cycle touring and hiking maps (1: 50,000)

• Schönebeck, Zerbst / Anhalt and the surrounding area. ISBN 978-3-89591-120-0 .
• Hoher Fläming, Bad Belzig, Beelitz and the surrounding area. ISBN 978-3-89591-154-5 .
• Potsdam Havel lakes, flower city Werder and surroundings. ISBN 978-3-89591-088-3 .

Publicpress cards (Verlag Freytag & Berndt; 1: 100,000 or 1: 50,000)

• Hildesheim with leash and innermost. ISBN 978-3-74730-484-6 .
• Braunschweig - Helmstedt. ISBN 978-3-74730-462-4 .
• Magdeburg. ISBN 978-3-74730-306-1 .
• Altmark. ISBN 978-3-74730-337-5 .
• Havelland - Potsdam. ISBN 978-3-74730-179-1 .

Accommodation directory and accommodation procurement

A list of the accommodations available on the cycle path and in the cities is kept on the RBH website. Bike-friendly restaurants from the ADFC's Bed + Bike portal are listed there.

The tourist information offices in Hameln, Hildesheim, Wolfenbüttel, Schönebeck, Gommern, Ziesar, Werder, Potsdam and Berlin provide RBH-related quarters and provide further tourist information.

Railway stations as direct or nearby (in brackets) entrances to and exits from the RBH

Hameln , Coppenbrügge , Elze (Han) , Nordstemmen , Emmerke , Hildesheim , ( Lebenstedt , Salzgitter-Bad , Immendorf ,) Wolfenbüttel , Schöppenstedt , ( Helmstedt , Eilsleben , Dreileben-Drackenstedt ,) Schönebeck (Elbe) , Gommern , Bad Belzig , ( Brandenburg (Havel) , Groß Kreuz ,) Potsdam , Berlin

Connections to other long-distance cycle routes

• Hameln: Weser cycle path
• Elze: Leine-Heide-Radweg
• Hildesheim: Innerste cycle path; Bike path to art
• Wolfenbüttel: Weser-Harz-Heide-Radweg
• Salzgitter: Fuhseradweg
• Eggenstedt: Aller cycle path
• Wanzleben: Sülze cycle path
• Schönebeck: Elbe cycle path
• Lehnin: Tour Brandenburg
• Petzow: Europe cycle route R 1
• Petzow / Potsdam: Havel cycle path
• Berlin: Spree Cycle Path ; Berlin-Copenhagen cycle path ; Berlin-Usedom cycle path ; Berlin-Leipzig cycle path

literature

• K.-H. Arnold: Berlin – Hameln Cycle Path: A landscape exploration and cultural trip . Arete, Hildesheim 2017, ISBN 978-3-942468-76-3
• T. Brönner: Germany's most beautiful long-distance cycle paths. 25,000 kilometers and 50 cycle paths between the coast and the Alps . Bruckmann, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-7654-5046-4
• O. Kockskämper: The most beautiful river bike paths in Germany . 3. Edition. BVA, Bielefeld 2015, ISBN 978-3-87073-698-9
• Long-distance cycle routes Germany . Esterbauer, Rodingersdorf 2017, ISBN 978-3-85000-462-6

Web links

Commons : Radweg Berlin – Hameln  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Homepage of the Berlin-Hameln cycle path. ADFC Hildesheim
• Project sponsor of the Berlin – Hameln cycle path

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b} route description. In: hi-radtouren.de. ADFC district association Hildesheim, accessed on February 17, 2020 . 
2. ↑ Long-distance cycle routes in Germany . Esterbauer, Rodingersdorf 2017, ISBN 978-3-85000-462-6 , p. 5 .
3. ↑ Thorsten Brenner: Germany's most beautiful long-distance cycle paths . Bruckmann, Munich 2014, ISBN 978-3-7654-5046-4 , pp. 60 ff .
4. ↑ Berlin-Hameln cycle path. In: hi-radtouren.de. ADFC district association Hildesheim, accessed on February 17, 2020 . 
5. ^ Karl-Heinz Arnold: Cycle Path Berlin – Hameln . Arete, Hildesheim 2017, ISBN 978-3-942468-76-3 .