Germany’s Baltic Sea coast is a destination that surprises and delights cycling travellers. With its Hanseatic cities of striking red brick, vast white sandy beaches dotted with iconic Strandkörbe, and the unspoilt natural landscapes of islands such as Rügen and Usedom, this route offers a true immersion in a Germany with a Scandinavian feel. This is the journey experienced by Anne-Marie and Jean-Claude, 2 passionate travellers. We invite you to follow their travel account along EuroVelo 10, complemented by our expert tips to help you prepare for your own adventure. An invitation to cycle to the rhythm of the tides and history, on one of Northern Europe’s most beautiful organised cycling holidays.
- Day 1: Lübeck - Wismar (58km)
- Day 2: Wismar – Rerik (69km)
- Day 3: Rerik - Ahrenshoop (77km)
- Day 4: Ahrenshoop – Barth (64km)
- Day 5: Barth - Stralsund (45km)
- Day 6: Stralsund - Schaprode (46km)
- Day 7: Schaprode – Hagen (77km)
- Day 8: Hagen - Baabe (40km)
- Day 9: Baabe - Stralsund (62km)
- Days 10 and 11: Stralsund - Greifswald - Zempin (Usedom)
- Day 12: Zempin - Ahlbeck (35km)
Day 1: Lübeck - Wismar (58km)
The journey begins with a step back in time, into the heart of the Hanseatic League’s power. These port cities, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, are architectural gems and the ideal starting point for a Baltic Sea holiday.
Lübeck, Queen of the Hanseatic League
From the moment you arrive in Lübeck, its beauty makes an immediate impression. With its tall red-brick façades, copper roofs and gilded inscriptions, the city transports visitors to another era. The Holstentor gate, the city’s emblem, welcomes travellers before they wander through the magnificent town hall square. A true open-air museum.
Lübeck © Anne-Marie Billault
For this first stage, Anne-Marie and Jean-Claude choose to take the train to Travemünde, a useful way to focus on the rest of the route. The EuroVelo 10 cycle path then follows the coast. This is where you encounter the first Strandkörbe, the wicker beach chairs typical of the German coast. After a break in the pretty seaside resort of Boltenhagen, the route leads to Wismar. Like Lübeck, it has a magnificent historic centre, but life here revolves mainly around its busier, more industrial harbour. This is an opportunity to try a local speciality: the Heringsbrötchen, a herring sandwich.
Wismar © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 2: Wismar – Rerik (69km)
The route leaves the major cities behind to venture into a landscape where land and water constantly intertwine. Wismar Bay, the island of Poel and the small seaside resorts offer peaceful surroundings and soothing views.
The route offers lovely views of the island of Poel, linked to the mainland by a causeway where swans and wild geese nest. Wismar Bay resembles an immense, peaceful lake. This stage makes for easy riding through the countryside, with superb views out to sea. Rerik is a charming little seaside resort, with its long beach on one side and its sheltered lagoon, the “Salzhaff”, on the other.
Rerik’s lagoon and seafront © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 3: Rerik - Ahrenshoop (77km)
Day 4: Ahrenshoop – Barth (64km)
This long stage leads first to Kühlungsborn, a more upmarket seaside resort reminiscent of La Baule, then to Warnemünde. After the ferry crossing, the most beautiful part of the route begins: the ride through the Rostocker Heide, a superb mixed woodland that evokes Scandinavian landscapes.
A delightfully kitsch stop in the woods © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 4: Ahrenshoop – Barth (64km)
This immense spit of land is a true paradise for nature lovers. On one side lie the Baltic Sea and its endless beaches; on the other, the “Bodden”, vast lagoons of brackish water fringed with reeds, providing sanctuary for many birds.
This easy stage follows the shores of the Bodden on a route that makes for smooth riding. The landscape is wonderfully serene, with its villages of thatched houses and its many birdwatching lookout points. After the lively resort of Zingst, the route heads deep into the national park. Although the cycling route may seem a little less spectacular outside the migration seasons, the tranquillity of the surroundings is soothing. The stage ends in Barth, a small harbour town with an authentic feel.
Barth © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 5: Barth - Stralsund (45km)
One of the most beautiful stages of the route between Lübeck and Stralsund. The cycle path is magnificent and the atmosphere peaceful. The still, mirror-like waters of the Bodden, reed beds, fields of poppies and meadows provide an ever-present spectacle. The approach to Stralsund is superb, with the island of Rügen directly opposite. The stretch of sea known as the Strelasund feels like a vast lake. Stralsund, the third Hanseatic gem of this journey, is a magnificent town whose harbour and market square are a pleasure to stroll around.
Stralsund, its harbour and town hall © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 6: Stralsund - Schaprode (46km)
Germany’s largest island, Rügen is a destination in its own right, bringing together the very best the Baltic has to offer. It is the highlight of our journey Germany’s Baltic Coast, from Lübeck to Rügen_._
The crossing to the island is by ferry. The landscape is very rural, with lovely views across the Sund. Schaprode is a delightful little harbour, a departure point for the island of Hiddensee and a rewarding stop for food lovers thanks to its herring dishes.
Day 7: Schaprode – Hagen (77km)
A magnificent stage that deserves to be split into two. After the charming harbour of Wiek, the cycle path reaches the coast facing the open sea and the famous Cape Arkona with its lighthouse. The terrain rises, revealing spectacular views of the chalk cliffs and the beaches below. The day continues through seaside resorts and lakeside landscapes to Hagen.
Cape Arkona © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 8: Hagen - Baabe (40km)
This day is devoted to exploring Jasmund National Park and its most famous landmark: the Königsstuhl (the “King’s Chair”). The UNESCO World Heritage-listed beech forest is remarkable. After passing through the port of Sassnitz, the route follows the coast to Prora, an immense seaside resort complex built under the Third Reich, now undergoing extensive redevelopment. The stage ends in the resort of Binz, where you can board the “Rasender Roland”, a charming little steam train.
Rügen, the Königsstuhl and the beech forest © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 9: Baabe - Stralsund (62km)
The return to the mainland follows rolling rural paths through fields and woodland, passing through the delightful small town of Putbus. A final evening in Stralsund rounds off this island tour beautifully.
Days 10 and 11: Stralsund - Greifswald - Zempin (Usedom)
Shared between Germany and Poland_, the island of Usedom is renowned for its vast beaches and the “Belle Époque” architecture of its seaside resorts, known as the Kaiserbäder (imperial resorts)._
To avoid a stretch of cobbled road, the train is an excellent option for reaching Greifswald, another charming Hanseatic and university town. From there, the cycling route resumes towards the island of Usedom. Once you cross the Peene bridge at Wolgast, the atmosphere changes. The resorts of Zinnowitz and Zempin reveal their beautiful houses and lively beaches, fringed by pine forests reminiscent of the Atlantic coast.
Zinnowitz © Anne-Marie Billault
Day 12: Zempin - Ahlbeck (35km)
A glorious day in the sunshine to discover the famous imperial resorts. Bansin, Heringsdorf and especially Ahlbeck vie for attention with their wooden piers (Seebrücken) and sumptuous villas. This is the perfect place to hire a Strandkorb and enjoy a swim. The cycle path continues to the Polish border, marked by a simple sign, before an easy train journey back to Zempin.
Usedom, seaside architecture © Anne-Marie Billault
Plan your cycling trip along the Baltic coast with Grand Angle
This journey along the Baltic Sea is a rewarding experience that combines nature, culture and history. As Anne-Marie and Jean-Claude’s account shows, the route is accessible and the cycling infrastructure is excellent.
Our expert advice for cycling EuroVelo 10 in Germany
The route is mostly flat, making it accessible to most cyclists. However, some stages, particularly on the island of Rügen, include a few substantial climbs. The wind is also a factor to consider. The best time to visit is from May to September, when the days are long and temperatures are pleasant.
Anne-Marie and Jean-Claude’s trip largely follows our Germany’s Baltic coast, from Lübeck to Usedom on a self-guided trip itinerary. By choosing to travel with Grand Angle, you benefit from our expertise for a stress-free adventure: we take care of booking your accommodation and transporting your luggage, and provide you with a detailed route guide.
Keen to discover this fascinating region? Explore our range of cycling trips in Germany or contact our travel advisers to create your tailor-made adventure.
