Hamburg and the Old Salt Road

This relaxed 8-day bike and boat tour follows the story of the Old Salt Road between Hamburg and Lübeck. For centuries, salt from Lüneburg, once known as “white gold”, was transported along this route to the trading ports of northern Germany. Today, the same region offers an easygoing mix of historic towns, quiet waterways, forests, lakes and Baltic Sea scenery.

The route connects Hamburg, Lüneburg and Lübeck, three cities shaped by trade, salt and the Hanseatic League. Along the way, you’ll also discover Lauenburg on the Elbe, Mölln, associated with the famous German trickster figure Till Eulenspiegel, and Travemünde, Lübeck’s traditional seaside district on the Baltic Sea. Highlights include Lüneburg’s historic old town, the Scharnebeck ship lift, the lakes and forests of the Lauenburg region, the Baltic Sea coast and Lübeck’s UNESCO-listed old town with its famous Holsten Gate. It’s a varied and down-to-earth journey through northern Germany: cultural, scenic, active and always close to the water.

This tour is a good fit for travelers who like the freedom of independent cycling with support nearby. It suits guests who enjoy historic towns, gentle landscapes and time on the water, and who want a one-week bike-and-boat experience that feels active but not rushed. On several days, you can choose between a shorter and a longer cycling route, depending on your energy and interests.

Your floating hotel

Your ship is your floating hotel throughout this bike and boat tour. Between cycling stages, it brings you comfortably from place to place, giving you time to enjoy the passing landscapes from the water while a new destination awaits.

On board, you enjoy breakfast and dinner each day, as well as overnight stays in your cabin. During breakfast, you can prepare your own packed lunch for the cycling stage ahead. If you prefer a quieter day, you are welcome to stay on board and enjoy the cruise to the next mooring place from the sun deck.

Rental bikes are available. You may also bring your own bicycle, but please indicate this when booking.

Independent cycling with tour leader support

This tour is designed for independent cycling. You ride at your own pace, using a detailed cycling map, printed route description, GPS tracks and the Ride with GPS app for your smartphone.

An experienced multilingual tour leader travels with the ship and explains the next day’s route during the daily briefing. The tour leader cycles the same route as the guests, so they are nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, mechanical issues or questions.

Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to Hamburg | Hamburg – Geesthacht

Your journey begins in Hamburg, one of Germany’s great port cities. Individual arrival and embarkation take place in the afternoon. From 4:00 p.m., the crew welcomes you on board, and during a welcome meeting you receive the first important information about the week ahead.
Around 5:00 p.m., the ship casts off and heads toward Geesthacht. As Hamburg slowly disappears behind you, enjoy your first impressions of the changing river landscape. After dinner on board, there will be a safety briefing and an introduction to the upcoming cycling routes.
The ship remains in Geesthacht overnight.

Day 2 Following the story of “white gold”: Geesthacht – Lüneburg

30km18 mi or 45km27 mi

After breakfast, the ship continues upstream and reaches the impressive Scharnebeck ship lift. This engineering landmark overcomes a height difference of 38 meters / 125 feet and is one of the largest ship lifts in Europe.
Afterwards, you can choose from different cycling routes. The direct route leads to Lüneburg, a historic salt-trading town with a beautifully preserved old center. Discover Am Sande square, the town hall, the narrow lanes of the old town and the German Salt Museum, which tells the story of the “white gold” that shaped Lüneburg’s history for centuries.
If you prefer a longer ride, you can explore the attractive countryside around Lüneburg. This route leads via the Bardowick lift bridge, through quiet woodland along the Landwehr and on peaceful paths beside the Ilmenau River back into town.
In the afternoon, you return to the ship in Lüneburg.

Day 3 Through the Elbe river landscape: Lüneburg to Lauenburg

35km21 mi or 50km31 mi

Early in the morning, the ship continues along the Elbe. After breakfast, today’s cycling route takes you through the attractive Elbe river landscape, with small villages, traditional half-timbered houses, meadows, fields and natural riverside scenery.
Along the way, a stop in Bleckede is worthwhile. This charming small town has a long history as a trading and administrative center on the Elbe.
In the afternoon, you reach Lauenburg. Set directly on the river, its picturesque old town with half-timbered houses is one of the most attractive places along the Elbe. Your ship is waiting here for the night.

Day 4 Lakes, forests and Till Eulenspiegel: Lauenburg – Mölln – Lübeck

34km21 mi or 50km31 mi

While the ship follows the canal in the morning and passes several locks, cyclists begin today’s stage at the Witzeeze lock.
The route leads through the lakes and forests of the Lauenburg region, one of northern Germany’s especially scenic natural areas. Along the way, you reach the historic town of Mölln, associated with Till Eulenspiegel, a famous trickster figure in German folklore. The old town, St. Nicolai Church and surrounding lakes give Mölln its distinctive charm.
After your time in Mölln, you continue cycling along the canal before returning to the ship in the afternoon. The ship then continues to Lübeck, one of the great historic trading cities of northern Germany. You spend the night in the harbor of this storied city, whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 5 Lübeck and the Baltic Sea: Lübeck – Travemünde | Travemünde – Lübeck

33km20 mi

This morning is dedicated to Lübeck, once one of the most powerful cities of the Hanseatic League. Use the time to explore the historic old town. The famous Holsten Gate, St. Mary’s Church and narrow lanes of the UNESCO-listed center all tell the story of Lübeck’s former importance as a trading city.
A taste of Lübeck’s world-famous marzipan is also part of the local experience.
Afterwards, you cycle from Lübeck to the Baltic Sea. Passing coastal scenery and popular seaside areas, you reach Travemünde, Lübeck’s traditional seaside district at the mouth of the Trave River. Here you return to the ship.
In the evening, the ship brings you back to Lübeck, where you spend another night.

Day 6 Along the canal or through gentle hills: Lübeck – Witzeeze

32km19 mi or 45km27 mi

While the ship leaves Lübeck in the morning and heads toward Lauenburg, today’s bike ride begins at Donnerschleuse.
You can either follow the historic canal toward Mölln or choose a more varied route through the gentle hills of the Lauenburg region. The latter route also passes Gut Schloss Wotersen, one of the region’s attractive manor houses.
Quiet paths and water-rich scenery make this a particularly relaxed cycling day. In the afternoon, you reach the Witzeeze lock and return to the ship. The ship remains in Witzeeze overnight.

Day 7 Back toward Hamburg: Witzeeze – Lauenburg – Geesthacht | Geesthacht – Hamburg

25km15 mi or 64km39 mi

Your final cycling day once again follows the Elbe through the wide river meadows and marshland landscapes of northern Germany. Depending on the route option you choose, today’s ride can be short and relaxed or considerably longer.
The quiet riverside paths offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the landscape and look back on the past days of cycling. In Geesthacht, you return to the ship.
As the ship passes the lock and continues toward Hamburg, the scenery gradually changes. The rural calm gives way to the maritime atmosphere of the city. From the sun deck, you can enjoy your final hours on the water before reaching Hamburg.
During the shared farewell evening, your journey along the historic salt and trade routes of northern Germany comes to a close.

Day 8 Farewell to Hamburg

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye. Disembarkation takes place by 9:00 a.m. You then begin your individual journey home, taking with you memories of historic trading cities, peaceful river and canal landscapes, and varied cycling days along the Old Salt Road.

The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours

Always the best rental bikes

The rental bikes on our ships are unisex bicycles with a low bar and a comfortable upright sitting position. These are stable and dependable bikes, good for miles in the saddle. Decide which kind of bike you want to rent and simply fill in your preference with your reservation. We’ll make sure you get the right bike for you. On most of our tours, the bike rental cost is not included in the tour’s price.

Every Boat Bike Tour rental bike is well equipped. The bikes consist of a lightweight aluminum frame and have highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds, an adjustable gel seat, normal flat pedals (no clips), an easy-to-use lock attached to the frame, and special puncture-resistant tires. All told, this is a light, stable and reliable bike, very suitable for touring long distances pleasantly.

Our e-bikes also have at least seven speeds and handbrakes. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame, and sport anti-puncture tires. Note that some of the ships have their own bikes on board. They may look a bit different, but qualitatively they are equal to Boat Bike Tours’s e-bikes.

Bicycle helmets
The use of bicycle helmets is not required in the Netherlands, but for safety’s sake they are suggested. If you wish to rent one, you can do so during the booking process. If you book a premium tour and rent a bike or e-bike, then the helmet and a “limit of liability for damage or loss” for your bike or e-bike is included in the rental price.

Other rental items
Other items such as children’s bikes, tandems, family tandems (child & adult), tag-along, trailers to carry toddlers and child seats are available on request.

Taking your own bike or e-bike?
The fee for parking your own bicycle is €10 per week. For an e-bike the fee is €25 to cover parking and charging the battery. For safety reasons it is not always possible to charge your e-bike batteries in your cabin. The crew will tell you where you can charge the battery on board the ship. Neither the crew nor Boat Bike tours is responsible in any way for any damage, loss or theft of a guest’s own bike or e-bike or its accessories. Note: not all the ships are suitable or have enough room for extra bikes, so make sure you check with us well ahead of travel.

Touring bikes

Our bicycles have a lightweight aluminum frame and are furnished with highly-responsive handbrakes, at least seven speeds and a gel seat whose height can be adjusted. Attached to the frame is an easy-to-use lock and the wheels carry puncture-resistant tires.

E-bikes

Our e-bikes also have highly-responsive handbrakes and a minimum of seven speeds. The motor runs on a 400Wh battery and offers three levels of power-assistance. The e-bikes include comfortable gel seats that can be adjusted for height, have a lock attached to the frame and special anti-puncture tires.

Taking your own bicycle

It is possible to take your own bike or e-bike with you, as long as it doesn’t have mirrors or other elements that stick out. There’s only limited space available on board for guests’ bikes. You can reserve a place for your bike for a small fee. Boat Bike tours is not responsible for damage to your bike or for theft.

Prices & availability

Saturday

Apr 17, 2027

Saturday

Apr 24, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,199.00 p.p.

Saturday

Apr 24, 2027

Saturday

May 1, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,299.00 p.p.

Saturday

May 1, 2027

Saturday

May 8, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,399.00 p.p.

Saturday

May 8, 2027

Saturday

May 15, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

May 15, 2027

Saturday

May 22, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

May 22, 2027

Saturday

May 29, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

May 29, 2027

Saturday

Jun 5, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

Jun 5, 2027

Saturday

Jun 12, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

Jun 12, 2027

Saturday

Jun 19, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Saturday

Jun 19, 2027

Saturday

Jun 26, 2027

Hamburg

Semi-Guided

Florentina

Available

Prices from

€1,499.00 p.p.

Practical information

Included in this tour

8 days / 7 nights
7x breakfast
Daily packed lunch for the cycling tours
7x 3-course dinner
Coffee and tea on board until 4:00 p.m.
Welcome drink
Bed linen and towels
Daily cabin cleaning
Air-conditioned cabin
Daily tour briefings
Independent, non-guided cycling tours: guests cycle individually, while the tour leader cycles the same route
BBT cycling map and route descriptions, 1 set per cabin
GPS tracks for all cycling tours
Use of a waterproof pannier bag
Wi-Fi on board
Entrance to the German Salt Museum in Lüneburg
Guided city tour of Lübeck with a local guide
The CO2 emissions from this trip will be offset through Trees for All and plastic recycler Orca.

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Excluded from this tour

Coffee and tea on board after 4:00 p.m.
Drinks on board
Rental bike or e-bike
Bike helmet
Personal insurance
Gratuities, at your discretion
Additional entrance fees and optional excursions or visits
Ferry fees
Travel to/from the docking location
Parking fees
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person – will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)

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Additional options & information

2027:

Rental bicycle: € 98 per week
Rental E-Bike: € 273 per week (only on request, limited number available)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle €14/week (only bookable in advance)
Limitation of liability (damage) rental e-bike €28/week (only bookable in advance)
Parking own bicycle: € 14 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Parking + charge station own E-Bike: € 35 per week (only a limited number of parking places available: pref. reservation by booking)
Please click on this link for more information about the rental and own bicycles/E-bikes
Helmets: A helmet can be rented for € 10 per week, only on prior reservation and payment.

Loyalty Discount

Explore our Loyalty Discount!

After your tour, you’ll receive an exclusive discount code:

You get 3% on your second tour with us.
From the third tour onwards, you will receive a 5% discount.
Enjoy savings on any of our upcoming trips in 2026.

Check your post-tour email for details. You can combine this discount with other promotions for additional savings. Join us again for another adventure by boat and bike!

Discover more

From the Rhine and Moselle to the Main and Saar, you’ll cycle through fairytale towns, medieval fortresses and rolling hills while enjoying authentic German hospitality. Savor world-class wines and hearty beer gardens along the way, and discover more tours in Germany.

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Hamburg and the Old Salt Road

Itinerary

Good to know

The bicycles of Boat Bike Tours