Cycling from Hamburg to Copenhagen – salty air included

From Hamburg to Copenhagen. Hardly any other destination is more appropriate for a ride than the bicycle capital of Europe. Here, there are five times as many bicycles as cars. In fact, 52 percent of commuters cycle to work each and every day, proving that when it comes to cycling, Copenhagen can teach us a thing or two. To get you there, you'll be heading from the Hanseatic City of Hamburg on a beautifully varied cycle path calmly in the direction of Denmark, partly on official cycle paths, partly on specially selected routes to create a perfect balance between mainland and coastal areas. Get ready to smell that salty sea air!

A Highlight of the first half is the Plöner Lake, whose warm sunset you can already marvel at on the first evening and get directly into that holiday mood. The second you leave Ham, the lush area will soon make you forget the hum of the city. Finally outside, finally fresh air, finally freedom. As you go, you can look forward to beautiful Highlights, such as the Weißenhäuser Strand, with its incredibly soft sand, the traditional Heiligenhafen, where fishermen still sell their catch directly from the boat, and after crossing what is probably the largest "coat hanger" in the world — the Fehmarnsund Bridge — you have the opportunity to enjoy what is probably the best fish sandwich far and wide.

Continuing onward, you'll roll into the belly of a huge ferry to relax on the sun deck and sail towards Denmark. Once there, wide fields and long country roads dominate the scenery, as do cute little towns with edifying architecture and the last few miles before Copenhagen round off the experience perfectly with beautifully landscaped parks.

At around 217 miles (350 kilometers) long, this five-part ride is aimed at you if you'd like to take a more relaxed approach. The way is the goal. It is ideal for a one-week ride including a weekend in Copenhagen. As far as equipment is concerned, you have the choice: Without camping equipment, you can move a little faster and stay overnight in the towns and camping bungalows along the route. However, if you want to save a little, it is advisable to bring a light sleeping bag, as a cleaning fee is often charged for blankets. As there are numerous free accommodation options in Denmark, you can also simply bring a tent. The app "Shelter" (onelink.to/q66mab) will show you all the shelters near you on the map.