Day 1: Arrival in Kiel

Discover the maritime culture in Kiel on the fjord. The heartbeat of the city is the fjord with one of the largest wharfs in Europe.

Day 2: Kiel – Rendsburg
Distance: approx 48 km / 30 mi

Today’s leg of the tour begins at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof Hörnbrücke). Cycle past the fjord ferry terminals and the Tirpitz Marine Harbour to the lock in Holtenau. (You can visit the lock, if you like.) Continue on the trail to Rendsburg. There are many interesting historical structures along the way such as lock chambers. Spend the night in Rendsburg.

Day 3: Rendsburg – Friedrichstadt
Distance: approx 50 km / 31 mi

Leave the Kiel Canal and cycle to Chrsiansholm, Bergenhusen (“stork village”), and Friedrichstadt. This part of the trail takes you through unique landscape around Hohner Lake and through the river plain of Sorge. Indigenous animals such as the European otter and bird species such as the white stork are seen there. Stay overnight in Friedrichstadt.

Day 4: Friedrichstadt – Tönning – Büsum
Distance: approx 50 km / 31 mi

Today’s leg of the tour takes you along the Eider River to Tönning (Multimar-Wattform Information Centre) with its cutter harbour. Continue through the Katinger Watt Nature Reserve to the Eider Barrier. Reach Büsum via the dyke and the Kiel Canal bicycle trail. There is an observation tower at the Eider Barrier from which you can observe the birds in the nature reserve. Stay overnight in or near Büsum.

Day 5: Büsum – Brunsbüttel
Distance: approx 60 km / 37 mi

Cycle through the district of Dithmarschen and admire the many dykes and the Wadden Sea. Continue on the Kiel Canal bicycle trail to Brunsbüttel. Enjoy the unique beauty as you cycle through the “Speicherkoog” by Meldorf and through the town of Meldorf with its cathedral, St. Michaelisdonn. As an alternative, you can cycle through Friedrichskoog, where seals like to bathe in the sun. Spend the night in Brunsbüttel.

Day 6: Brunsbüttel – Rendsburg
Distance: approx 60 km / 37 mi

Start today at the canal lock. The Kiel Canal was built over 100 years ago and is known as the most trafficked man made canal in the world. Continue along the canal on the bicycle trail to Hochdonn and Rendsburg. Spend the night in Rendsburg.

Day 7: Rendsburg – Kiel
Distance: approx 45 km / 28 mi

The last leg of the tour takes you along the south side of the canal. Either cycle through the pedestrian tunnel or take the ferry across the waterway. Enjoy the charming surroundings as you cycle to the state capitol, Kiel. You will most likely see a ferry or two pass under the magnificent bridges. After you arrive at the lock in Holtenau, continue on the trail alongside the fjord to the train station. Spend the night in Kiel.

Day 8: Departure from Kiel

Turn in your rental bike and depart after breakfast. Travellers are responsible for their own transportation home.

Day 1: Arrival in Kiel

Discover the maritime culture in Kiel on the fjord. The heartbeat of the city is the fjord with one of the largest wharfs in Europe.

Day 2: Kiel – Rendsburg
Distance: approx 48 km / 30 mi

Today’s leg of the tour begins at the main train station (Hauptbahnhof Hörnbrücke). Cycle past the fjord ferry terminals and the Tirpitz Marine Harbour to the lock in Holtenau. (You can visit the lock, if you like.) Continue on the trail to Rendsburg. There are many interesting historical structures along the way such as lock chambers. Spend the night in Rendsburg.

Day 3: Rendsburg – Friedrichstadt
Distance: approx 50 km / 31 mi

Leave the Kiel Canal and cycle to Chrsiansholm, Bergenhusen (“stork village”), and Friedrichstadt. This part of the trail takes you through unique landscape around Hohner Lake and through the river plain of Sorge. Indigenous animals such as the European otter and bird species such as the white stork are seen there. Stay overnight in Friedrichstadt.

Day 4: Friedrichstadt – Tönning – Büsum
Distance: approx 50 km / 31 mi

Today’s leg of the tour takes you along the Eider River to Tönning (Multimar-Wattform Information Centre) with its cutter harbour. Continue through the Katinger Watt Nature Reserve to the Eider Barrier. Reach Büsum via the dyke and the Kiel Canal bicycle trail. There is an observation tower at the Eider Barrier from which you can observe the birds in the nature reserve. Stay overnight in or near Büsum.

Day 5: Büsum – Brunsbüttel
Distance: approx 60 km / 37 mi

Cycle through the district of Dithmarschen and admire the many dykes and the Wadden Sea. Continue on the Kiel Canal bicycle trail to Brunsbüttel. Enjoy the unique beauty as you cycle through the “Speicherkoog” by Meldorf and through the town of Meldorf with its cathedral, St. Michaelisdonn. As an alternative, you can cycle through Friedrichskoog, where seals like to bathe in the sun. Spend the night in Brunsbüttel.

Day 6: Brunsbüttel – Rendsburg
Distance: approx 60 km / 37 mi

Start today at the canal lock. The Kiel Canal was built over 100 years ago and is known as the most trafficked man made canal in the world. Continue along the canal on the bicycle trail to Hochdonn and Rendsburg. Spend the night in Rendsburg.

Day 7: Rendsburg – Kiel
Distance: approx 45 km / 28 mi

The last leg of the tour takes you along the south side of the canal. Either cycle through the pedestrian tunnel or take the ferry across the waterway. Enjoy the charming surroundings as you cycle to the state capitol, Kiel. You will most likely see a ferry or two pass under the magnificent bridges. After you arrive at the lock in Holtenau, continue on the trail alongside the fjord to the train station. Spend the night in Kiel.

Day 8: Departure from Kiel

Turn in your rental bike and depart after breakfast. Travellers are responsible for their own transportation home.