Along the Elbe, from Magdeburg to Hamburg

Level 2/5

Moderate.
40 to 80km per cycling day. No particular technical difficulties. Mostly on cycle paths, greenways or quiet roads. Little elevation gain: a maximum of 100m per day.

You only carry a small bag with your picnic lunch and the things you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting at your hotel in the evening: it is transported by the hotelier or by taxi, with a limit of 2 bags per person. Maximum weight: 20 kg. We recommend carrying a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare, unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, can sometimes delay luggage delivery. Your luggage may arrive as late as 6 pm.

Bookings are available for 2 people or more.
Solo travellers can book, but a single room supplement applies.

8 days, 7 nights, 6 cycling days.

This is a self-guided holiday. There is no guide, and no local representative will meet you on arrival. You will receive a complete travel pack (1 per room), including a route guide with maps, a list of accommodation and vouchers, among other items. Depending on the arrangements, you will receive your pack before departure or collect it at your first accommodation. Your practical travel documents (vouchers, tickets, etc.) will be waiting for you at your hotel.

Accommodation

Rooms in 3* hotels or Gasthof inns (or equivalent), with a private bathroom.

Rooms

In Germany and Denmark, double beds with a single large mattress are generally uncommon, and rooms with 2 separate twin beds are also rare. There is usually one bed base with two 90 cm mattresses, and each person has their own duvet. Rooms for 3 people usually have an extra bed added; however, the rooms are generally spacious.

Meals

Breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are not included, but you will have no trouble finding places to eat along the way. Please note that dinner is often served early. Be sure to observe meal service times.

Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Departures from Magdeburg every Thursday, Friday and Sunday, from 1 April to 31 October.

Start

Day 1 in Magdeburg.

Finish

Day 8 after breakfast in Hamburg.

You can add an extra night before, after or during your cycling holiday.

Bike hire

These are very good-quality bicycles (BBF or Kalkhoff), available in men’s and women’s models. The tyres (28 inches) should ensure a puncture-free ride. The bicycles will be delivered to your hotel, and you must leave them at your final hotel (there is no in-person handover or collection).

All bicycles are equipped with

• a waterproof pannier (10L),
• a handlebar map holder (1 per room),
• a lock
• and a repair kit.

Please note that helmets are compulsory for minors in the Czech Republic. For hygiene reasons, we do not provide helmets.

• Low step-through electric bicycles (with coaster brakes) for riders from 1,60m to 1m90 tall (other sizes on request).
• Rental bicycles are available in various frame sizes.

Children’s bicycles and tandems are available on request on some routes (please specify your height).

Hybrid bicycles: 7-speed hybrids with coaster brakes or 21-speed hybrids with handlebar-operated brakes

Men’s bicycle Women’s bicycle

• Women’s low step-through bicycles for riders from 1,55m tall (other sizes on request)

• Men’s bicycles for riders from 1,70m tall

Electric-assist bicycles: 7 speeds, with coaster brakes

This bicycle is lightweight (20kg without the battery) and suitable for all-terrain riding. It is equipped with a powerful motor. You can reach speeds of up to 25km/h.

By plane

Berlin or Hamburg Airport:

Direct scheduled flights from Paris and several regional French cities, followed by a train to Magdeburg.

Train from Berlin (central station) to Magdeburg: approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Train from Hamburg to Magdeburg: approximately 3 to 4 hours.

By train

Timetables and fares are available from Deutsche Bahn (German railways).
Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes by train from Paris (Gare de l’Est or Gare du Nord).
Example: depart Paris Est at 07:20; arrive at Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof at 15:54 (2 changes in Mannheim and Hanover).

By car

You can check your route on ViaMichelin, Mappy or Google Maps.
From Paris: approximately 10 hours' drive
From Lyon: approximately 11 hours 30 minutes' drive

Please note: the travel information above is provided for guidance and is subject to change. Please check before departure.

Return journey

By train: approximately 2 hours 55 minutes. With 1 change in Hanover or Stendal.
We can also book a private return transfer for you (see the section on options, supplements and discounts).

Please note: the travel information above is provided for guidance and is subject to change. Please check before departure.

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either during the day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, please be aware that your guides are not lifeguards; you therefore swim under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR — Acting for Responsible Tourism)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

As members of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector move towards more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster rewarding encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in environmental protection, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a demanding international certification programme, recognises our practical efforts to support responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainability policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet (not compulsory but strongly recommended)
• Sunglasses (to protect against the sun, wind and midges)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder and/or a handlebar smartphone mount (and a power bank)
• A water bottle

Please note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)!
As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

For your lunchtime picnic

• A plastic bowl or plate

• Cutlery (spoon, fork, knife)

For protection against sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or sun hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain poncho or a Gore-Tex jacket

After the day’s activities

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers
• Shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running-style trainers for the evening
• A toiletry bag
• A small first-aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Bio-Gaze or “2nd skin” dressings, gauze, antiseptic, arnica pellets and aspirin for minor aches and injuries … (quite a list! But rest assured, the first-aid kit often comes home untouched after your week of hiking)

To carry your belongings:

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40-litre backpack with a hip belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic lunch during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier in which you can store your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; this makes it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.

• a bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, travel bag or suitcase in good condition.

Germany
Capital: Berlin

Travel documents

Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

Health

Bring your European Health Insurance Card, which you should request from your health insurance provider at least 15 days before departure.

German National Tourist Office
21 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris
Tel. 0140201706, fax 0140201700

Dialling code for calling France from abroad: 0033
Dialling code for calling Germany: 0049

No time difference from France. GMT +1.

The euro in Germany