The Weser-Harz-Heath Cycle Route – rivers, mountains and heaths
Bike Touring Collection by Zoe von Rambling Rocks
7
days
2-5 h
/ day
260 mi
8,700 ft
9,025 ft
Since 2005, the Weser-Harz-Heide Cycle Route has led through the southern Wester Uplands region in Germany. With tranquil forests, fantastic panoramic views from the Harz Mountains all the way to Lüneburg and flowering heathlands, the region enchants every visitor. This route is not described as one of the most beautiful routes in Lower Saxony without reason.
The Weser-Harz-Heide Cycle Route is mainly asphalted, but sections also run along gravel, field and forestry paths. If possible, avoid using a bike with thin racing tyres so that you can enjoy the whole route to the fullest.
In this Collection, I’ve divided the approximately 400-kilometre-long (248 mile) cycle route into seven daily stages, so you have enough time to see the highlights along the way.
You can find a choice of accommodation and public transport connections at all starting points and stage destinations.
The route begins in the historic three-river town of Hannoversch Münden, where the Weser River rises from the confluence of the Fulda and Werra rivers.
For the first two stages, you cycle through gentle hills, before pedalling through the Harz Mountains, which is hard at times. You need good gears here, but the great views of the low mountain range are always worth the effort.
Once you have completed the third stage through Germany's northernmost low mountain range, you cycle through the flat Harz foothills and along the edge of the Lüneburg Heath to your destination, the city of Lüneburg. From there, you can easily take the train back to the starting point of the Tour or the individual stages, or start your journey home.
No matter whether you ride the entire route or just a few stages, the diversity of the Weser-Harz-Heide Cycle Route is nothing but inspiring.
On The Map
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Last updated: November 15, 2021
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- Intermediate02:1721.4 mi9.4 mph1,100 ft975 ftIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The first stage of the Weser-Harz-Heide-Radweg takes you from Hannoversch Münden for around 33 kilometers on former railway lines and paved bike paths to the university town of Göttingen. You will drive through the cultural and natural landscape of the Münden Nature Park and along the Dransfeld plateau…
- Expert04:2341.6 mi9.5 mph1,675 ft1,400 ftExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
In the second stage you continue on the Weser-Harz-Heide-Radfernweg in the direction of the Harz. Your destination is Herzberg im Harz, the Esperanto city that lies directly on the edge of the low mountain range. The bike path leads you through several small villages and places with local features.
You…
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- Expert05:3948.8 mi8.6 mph3,425 ft3,325 ftExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Challenging climbs await you on the third stage of the Weser-Harz-Heide cycle path. From Herzberg am Harz to Clausthal-Zellerfeld, you can expect steeper climbs on the route, but also corresponding descents. Then it goes mostly quickly downhill until you have reached your stage destination, the UNESCO…
- Intermediate04:4546.5 mi9.8 mph650 ft1,300 ftIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On this stage you leave the Harz behind you and come to noticeably flat regions. Larger climbs are not to be expected here in the Harz foreland, because from here the cycle route runs on slightly hilly to flat terrain. So cycling from Goslar to Braunschweig is pure cycling pleasure.
At the beginning of…
- Expert02:3025.0 mi10.0 mph425 ft475 ftExpert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The fifth stage takes you through the asparagus region between Abbesbüttel, Meine and Gifhorn.
There are no climbs to be expected, so you ride comfortably on signposted cycle paths and roads with little traffic towards your destination, the city of Gifhorn.
From the starting point you leave Braunschweig…
- Intermediate03:3935.9 mi9.9 mph575 ft525 ftIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
On the penultimate stage of the Weser-Harz-Heide-Radweg it is noticeably quieter on the route. With the bike you ride partly on natural paths through heathland areas. Therefore, sandy sections are also to be expected on the route.
Your bike tour starts in the mill town of Gifhorn. There are several mills…
- Intermediate04:1141.1 mi9.8 mph900 ft1,025 ftIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the last stage, the Weser-Harz-Heide-Radweg leads you largely along the Elbe Lateral Canal. You will cross some bridges and locks of the canal several times in an almost zigzag style.
The Uelzen lock is one of the largest canal locks on the Elbe Lateral Canal, which you will drive along. Here you follow…
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance260 mi
- Duration27:23 h
- Elevation8,700 ft9,025 ft
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