Rostock
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's most populous city borders the Baltic Sea coast to the north. The hinterland is characterised by intensive arable farming. In between are idyllic villages, small alder swamp forests, wet meadows and pond landscapes. The largest elevation is the Kühlung. The 23 kilometre long mountain range begins around 35 kilometres west of Rostock. The gentle hills undulate up to 130 metres high and are mostly forested.
Most of the trails can be found either directly on the Kühlung or at its foothills. Unfortunately, there are no official maps for bikers that show more than just the paved cycle paths. However, you can quickly find suitable routes on platforms such as Komoot or Strava. If you are travelling around Rostock by bike, you should also take the time to take a closer look at Germany's largest coastal forest, the Rostock Heath.
You can download the complete road trip "Northern Germany" from BIKE 8/2021 as a PDF in the download area below.
The Revier-Report costs 1.99 euros.
Hamburg/Harburg mountains
At a maximum of 155 metres above sea level, the Harburg Hills are among the highest elevations in the catchment area around Hamburg. Their foothills extend to the southern outskirts of the Hanseatic city. The mountain range is largely covered by mixed or coniferous forests. However, heathland and arable farming are also part of the landscape.
The Harburg mountains have been one of the best-known bike areas in the whole of northern Germany for 20 years. However, the network of over 20 trails has only been officially authorised since last year. Those who like to let it rip downhill and jump a lot are more likely to be drawn to the trails in the east. The trails on the Fischbeker Heide near the Rosengarten, on the other hand, offer the ultimate nature experience.
All information about the individual trails and tour suggestions can be found at habemtb.de. A visit to Hamburg should of course include a harbour tour, the Reeperbahn or an afternoon on the Elbe beach.
Kiel/Hüttener Berge
The Hüttener Berge are located around 50 kilometres northwest of Kiel. They are part of the Schleswig-Holstein hill country. However, the elevations, which are up to 106 metres high, are not mountains in the classic sense, but a terminal moraine landscape with sandy soil.
The highlight for mountain bikers is Brekendorfer Forst. The first official MTB trail in the whole of Schleswig-Holstein was created there in 2018. Over 14 kilometres, a wide variety of hand-built descents, crisp climbs and flowing transfer sections are strung together. They are suitable for beginners and advanced riders alike. All information is available at huettitrail.home.blog.
If you want to extend your radius of action, the entire network of paths and trails in the Hüttener Berge is at your disposal. There are tours of up to 40 kilometres in length across heaths, through deep forests and past idyllic lakes. The right routes are available on Komoot, Strava and Co.
As the Hüttener Berge are only 60 kilometres from the Danish border, you shouldn't miss out on a visit to one of the many Danish trail centres.
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Max Fuchs
Editor
