Altmark circular route - on two wheels through the Altmark

Short description

Through one of Germanys oldest cultural landscapes and still a hidden gem: 8 Hanseatic cities, cozy villages, and the original natural treasures of the Altmark region inspire cyclists on the Altmark circular route.

Description

Alone, 8 Hanseatic cities are located along the Altmark circular route. The 800-year history of the Altmark region is experienced through hundreds of fascinating churches, castles, and houses of North German brick Gothic architecture, which still bear witness to the economic heyday of the Hanseatic League. The picturesque old towns are nestled in idyllic landscapes. The Elbe River and its floodplains, the Altmärkische Schweiz with its gentle hills, and the nature park landscapes of the Drömling region provide a varied backdrop for one of the most beautiful cycling tours in Germany. With only slight inclines, good signage, and cyclist-friendly hosts, the Altmark circular route is a hidden gem in the easily accessible region between Berlin, Hanover, and Hamburg.

The Altmark circular route combines culture and nature in the form of an 8 and passes through the cities of Salzwedel, Wittenberge, Havelberg, Genthin, Tangermünde, Stendal, and Gardelegen on cycle paths and low-traffic local connecting roads. After eventful days, we will be pampered in picturesque accommodations.

Thematic highlights of the Altmark circular route include, for example, the medieval town of Salzwedel, the many Romanesque fieldstone churches, Arendsee with its monastery and water activities, the stork village of Wahrenberg, Seehausen with its church and tower museum, the historic city center in Osterburg, the unique character of Werben as the smallest Hanseatic city in the world, the historically rich water town of Havelberg, Genthin with its cultural offerings from the past and present, Jerichow Monastery, the historic old town in Tangermünde, the Elbe town of Arneburg, the Hanseatic city of Stendal, garden dreams in Tangerhütte, the historic old town in Gardelegen, Kunrau Castle, or the local museum in Diesdorf.

Directions

The circular route partly follows the routes of other long-distance cycle paths. The unique architectural attractions of the Altmark circular route are shared with the Romanesque Road. Part of the Altmark circular route follows the same route as the Elbe Cycle Path. Additional connections are provided by the Havel Cycle Path in Havelberg and the route along the Green Belt in Salzwedel. Combinations are also possible with the Milde-Biese Tour (approx. 70 km) between Gardelegen and Arendsee.

The distances of the meaningful sections of the route are as follows:

Stendal - Ackendorf near Gardelegen (94 km)
Ackendorf near Gardelegen - Salzwedel (117 km)
Salzwedel - Seehausen (90 km)
Seehausen - Werben (68 km)
Werben - Genthin (86 km)
Genthin - Stendal (80 km)

In addition to the main stops, the Altmark circular route also passes through smaller villages and localities throughout the Altmark region.

Arendsee - Ziemendorf - Harpe - Gollensdorf - Drösede - Bömenzien - Aulosen - Wanzer - Pollitz - Wahrenberg - Losenrade - Beuster - Ostorf - Oberkamps - Seehausen - Barsberge - Drüsedau - Polkern - Krumke - Osterburg - Düsedau - Calberwisch - Uchtenhagen - Walsleben - Rohrbeck - Iden - Hindenburg - Hohenberg-Krusemark - Schwarzholz - Polkritz - Rosenhof - Büttnershof - Kannenberg - Berge - Werben (Elbe) - Räbel - Havelberg - Jederitz - Neukamern - Kamern - Schönfeld - Klietz - Hohengöhrener Damm - Schönhauser Damm - Wuster Damm - Wust - Melkow - Jerichow - Kabelitz - Fischbeck - Tangermünde - Hämerten - Storkau - Billberge - Arneburg - Wischer - Hassel - Stendal - Welle - Demker - Weißewarte - Tangerhütte - Schönwalde - Stegelitz - Groß Schwarzlosen - Lüderitz - Schleuß - Brunkau - Vollenschier - Staats - Börgitz - Uchtspringe - Trüstedt - Kloster Neuendorf - Gardelegen - Klötze - Kunrau - Mellin - Diesdorf - Salzwedel - Arendsee

 

Additional Information

The Altmark region consists of agriculturally shaped lowlands as well as forests and heathland. In the southwest, there are the Drömling wetlands and the Ohre lowlands, in the southeast parts of the Colbitz-Letzlinger Heath, and in the east and northeast, the Elbe River valley and the Wische region. Important rivers in the region, in addition to the Elbe and Havel rivers on the eastern edge of the Altmark, include the Jeetze, Milde-Biese-Aland, and Uchte rivers. The largest lake is the Arendsee in the north, with approximately 511 hectares of water surface and an average depth of 29 m.
The Altmark region covers more than 4500 square kilometers and extends over 90 km in the east-west direction and more than 60 km in the north-south direction. Regions bordering the Altmark are the Wendland to the northwest, the Prignitz to the northeast, the Havelland to the east, the Elbe-Börde-Heide region to the south, and the Lüneburg Heath to the west.

 

Travel Information

Stendal, Tangerhütte, Wittenberge, Havelberg, or Gardelegen are well connected to the cities of Magdeburg, Hanover, Berlin, and Hamburg via federal highways.

Parking Information

Visitor parking lots are available at the outskirts of the Hanseatic cities, allowing parking for multiple days.

Safety Instructions

 

The Altmark circular route can be navigated without difficulties. Some sections are on sandy paths, which are easily passable with wider tires.

Equipment

Touring bike: some drinks, food, and a picnic blanket for the most beautiful spots in nature. And of course, in summer, do not forget your swimwear, as pools and lakes await!