EuroVelo 12 North Sea Cycle Route

Germany

EuroVelo 12 in Germany runs parallel with the Wadden Sea National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also crosses the borders into Denmark and the Netherlands. This intertidal zone provides a unique habitat for countless species of flora and fauna. To the north, the route follows the coast of Schleswig-Holstein around the Nordstrand Peninsula and across the Kiel Canal. From the town of Brunsbüttel, EuroVelo 12 runs beside the River Elbe to the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, where you can explore the Warehouse District, which is also on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In Lower Saxony, the North Sea Cycle Route returns to the North Sea coast, passing through Bremerhaven and Emden.

EuroVelo 12 is also part of the national long-distance cycle route network in Germany as D-Route 1.

Countries

Legend

Development status
  • Certified Section of at least 300 km that has successfully undergone the certification process in line with ECF’s European Certification Standard. It is the highest quality level on the EuroVelo network
  • Developed with EuroVelo signs Developed route (see category below) with continuous signing along the route, incorporating EuroVelo route information panels.
  • Developed Route developed for cyclists and signed in line with the respective national standard (i.e. it is part of a local, regional or national cycle network). There must also be a website providing information to users. Developed route can be heterogeneous in terms of infrastructure: type of cycling infrastructure, surface, width, gradients, etc
  • Under development Route containing sections that require further development (e.g. stretches on public highways with high levels of traffic). Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Planning Undeveloped route with no detailed information publicly available on the Internet. The itinerary communicated is a proposal for the best possible option currently available. It may also contain dangerous sections. Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Public transport link

Markers

  • Natural Heritage
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Culinary Delights
  • Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
  • Other Point of Interest
  • Bus station
  • Train station
  • Mobility info center

National & Regional Information

ADFC: Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V.

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

The ADFC is a nationwide, Non-Profit-Organisation with over 230,000 bicycle-enthusiastic members whose shared aim is to make the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Besides encouraging environmentally-friendly and therefore sustainable forms of transport, the ADFC provides advice on all aspects of cycling. This includes advice on buying a bike, technology and cycling accessories, tourism-related and political issues.

030 2091498-0
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ADFC Quality Cycling Routes

Currently, 45 quality routes in Germany, 2 quality routes abroad and 6 cycling tour regions carry the ADFC seal of quality. The link provides more information.

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ADFC's brochure "Discover Germany by bike"

On the online presentation of the ADFC's brochure you will find a selection of the most beautiful bike routes in Germany.

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Bett+Bike - Bicycle Friendly Accommodation

Around 5,900 hotels, guesthouses, youth hostels, nature houses and camping sites are tailored to the needs of cyclists. Guest companies meeting ADFC quality criteria are marked with a sign at the entrance.

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German Tourism Center e.V., DZT

The DZT has promoted Germany abroad on behalf of the federal government for more than 60 years. It advertises the touristic diversity of Germany throughout the world. It therefore advertises for one of the biggest and most popular brands - the travel country Germany. A selection of attractive long distance cycle routes can be found on www.germany.travel with route descriptions and references of Bed+Bike establishments.

+49 (0)69 974640
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[EV12] Lower Saxony

The Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park lies just off the coast and forms part of the Wadden Sea that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2009. This intertidal zone extends along the Dutch and German North Sea coastlines all the way to Denmark, and provides a unique habitat for countless species of flora and fauna. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Warehouse District and Kontorhaus District with the Chilehaus office building await cyclists in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg.

+49 (0) 511 / 2704880
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[EV12] Schleswig-Holstein

From the Hanseatic city of Hamburg, the route runs beside the River Elbe through Wedel, Uetersen and Glückstadt, then on to Brunsbüttel. After crossing Kiel Canal, the route continues along the North Sea Cycle Route via Dithmarschen as far as Husum. It then passes around the edge of Nordstrand peninsula, through Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park, and ends in Klanxbüll on the Danish border.

+49 (0)4841 8975-0
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[EV2, EV12] Tourism Marketing Niedersachsen

On this route you can expect gentle hills that offer one magnificent view after another out over meadows and forests. Colourful half-timbered towns and imposing palaces and castles with intriguing and impressive historical backgrounds take cyclists on a journey into bygone days. It makes for truly great cycling tourism.

+49 (0) 511 / 2704880
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Related news

Maps & Guides

EuroVelo 12: North Sea Cycle Route - Part 2 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes EuroVelo 12 in Germany between Hamburg and Bad Nieuweschans (564 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:50,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.

EuroVelo 12: North Sea Cycle Route - Part 3 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes EuroVelo 12 in Germany up to Hamburg (368 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:50,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.