In 7 days to the Elbe – the Leine-Heide cycle route
Bike Touring Collection by komoot
7
days
2-5 h
/ day
270 mi
4,900 ft
6,050 ft
The Leine-Heide cycle path gives you the opportunity to discover the entire diversity of Lower Saxony's landscapes: wooded mountains, green valleys, wide meadows and hilly heathland landscapes. From its source in the Thuringian Eichsfeld, you accompany the Leine through its wide valleys and lush lowlands. After 173 miles (280 kilometers), it flows into the Aller river, and you continue your ride through the Lüneburger Heide until you cross the Elbe river with pride and reach your destination in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg.
Over 250 miles (416 kilometers) —and seven days in the saddle — you'll discover the incredibly varied landscape of Lower Saxony. You'll cycle past bustling villages and picturesque half-timbered towns, through the low mountain ranges of Thuringia and Lower Saxony, directly through wide meadows, the Lüneburg Heath and along moors and lakes. When you finally arrive in Hamburg, you will have traversed Lower Saxony from north to south — and all on your own two wheels.
Thanks to excellent cycle paths, good signage and low gradients, the Leine-Heide-Radweg is a real pleasure ride. As the route leads through numerous small villages and towns, you can divide the longer stages into two days and thus allow yourself more time at each individual stage destinations. Along the cycle path, there is also some great cycling infrastructure with bike-friendly hotels, numerous restaurants and cafés, and even bicycle repair shops. All the stops are easily reached by train, so you can choose individual stages as day trips or divide the whole ride into several weekends.
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Last updated: November 19, 2021
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The stages of the Leine-Heide cycle route
- 03:0534.0 mi11.0 mph350 ft1,000 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
You start your bike tour in the tranquil village of Leinefelde in the north of Thuringia. The leash, which will accompany you along a long distance on your long-distance bike path, will come from several sources here.
You leave the small town and cycle along small villages through the hilly landscape…
by komoot
- 04:2443.9 mi10.0 mph750 ft925 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On your second day, you will travel through the tranquil landscape of Leine-Bergland. You leave Göttingen heading north and cycle with beautiful views over the Leine meadows. The leash flows here through a wide, green valley and on both sides you can see in the distance wooded hills.
You pass the baroque…
by komoot
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- 04:2939.6 mi8.8 mph500 ft625 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Your third stage starts in the city of Alfeld with its historic downtown. Here you can explore the city for a while before starting your tour today.
You leave the city and cross the leash. On the other bank you follow the Leine-Heide-Radweg in a northerly direction. First, wooded hills still rise up on…
by komoot
- 04:3140.2 mi8.9 mph600 ft675 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The fourth day on the Leine-Heide-Radweg starts for you in Hannover. The bike path leads you out of the city along the leash. The river meanders along green meadows between the houses. Although you have not yet crossed the city limits, you are already cycling through peaceful nature.
Soon you will leave…
by komoot
- 03:3233.1 mi9.4 mph650 ft525 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The fifth day on your bike tour is a first farewell. Shortly after your start in Schwarmstedt the leash flows into the Aller. For a while, the Leine-Heide-Radweg still runs along the river, but from the small patch of Ahlden, it eventually goes (or drives) separate ways.
From Ahlden the cycle path takes…
by komoot
- 05:5251.7 mi8.8 mph1,300 ft1,350 ftExpertExpert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
The sixth stage is all about heathland. On today's tour, you will cross the picturesque landscape of the Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve in a large loop.
You start your day's tour in Soltau and you drive across meadows, through forests and along fields. You pass Neuenkirchen and on the border to the nature…
by komoot
- 02:5127.7 mi9.7 mph775 ft975 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the seventh day the grand finale is scheduled. At 43 kilometers, the last is also the shortest stage. But after the six days in the idyllic landscape of Lower Saxony a little culture shock awaits you in the big city.
The first 15 kilometers lead you through peaceful nature. Shortly after your start…
by komoot
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance270 mi
- Duration28:44 h
- Elevation4,900 ft6,050 ft
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