Enjoy an active holiday – cycling, riding and golf

Take pleasure in cycling to the top of gentle hills, breathe in the invigorating sea air as you gallop along sandy beaches or lightly swing your golf club on idyllic golf courses. In Schleswig-Holstein you can try out new sports and enjoy the many charms of the local countryside while you recharge your batteries in Schleswig-Holstein’s uniquely maritime surroundings.

Cycle along the trail of the Vikings
On your bikes, get set, go! Between St. Peter-Ording and Maasholm the Wikinger-Friesen-Weg (Viking-Friesian route) is perfect for exciting cycling holidays and excursions. The six-day “First Class Tour” package takes you from east coast to west coast, through the stunning countryside of Schleswig-Holstein, and back again; accommodation is in four-star hotels with wellness facilities; a lavish cyclist’s breakfast is served every morning and you’ll be given a tasty packed lunch to keep you going through the day. Prices start at €359 per person.
The tour starts in St. Peter-Ording, which is located on the North Sea coast at the tip of the Eiderstedt peninsula. Day one takes you to the charming little Dutch town of Friedrichstadt – famous for its canals, which are simply perfect for boat trips. The next stop is Schleswig on the shore of the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei, and from there you cycle to Kappeln and then back to St. Peter-Ording. The tour takes you along the old trading routes of the Vikings and the Friesians and there are countless places of interest and relics of past cultures, from the new stone age to medieval times, to visit during your trip.

Of dyke paths and orchard tours
Cycle paths are just as much a part of Glückstadt an der Elbe as the many sheep on the dykes. From this charming little town, the 340km Mönchsweg (Monk’s Path) cycle path takes you right across Schleswig-Holstein to Puttgarden on the island of Fehmarn. Glückstadt is also an ideal starting point for tours through the Elbmarschen marshlands. Choose from a variety of themed tours: the Dyke Tour takes you along the dykes and within touching distance of the giant ships; on the Vegetable Tour you cycle through one of Schleswig-Holstein’s largest vegetable growing areas; the Meadow Tour leads you along waterways and old dykes, while the Orchard Tour takes you through the area’s lush orchards to Kollmar and Neuendorf. As a special tip: cycle from Glückstadt to the Herrenfeld water biotope and climb up to the observation platform for a magnificent view across the bird sanctuary and the river Elbe. Prices for a tour with two nights in a double room with breakfast, two hired bicycles and cycle maps, a packed lunch and coffee and cake start at €109 per person.

Flat or hilly – we’ve got the right tour for you
The Holsteinische Schweiz has over 200 kilometres of well-signposted cycle paths, which take you alongside lakes and rivers, across fields, meadows and forests, with flat stretches or easy to medium gradients. The pretty countryside with little farm shops, small churches, hay hotels and rustic country inns give the area its unique charm.
The new themed routes through the OstseeFerienLand along the Baltic Sea fjord Schlei, the Probstei or Holsteinische Schweiz offer culture with the "städtchen tour” (town and village tour) or waterside cycling on the SchleiuferTörn, which takes you along the banks of the Schlei fjord. Holidaymakers can choose from around 30 tours, from easy to challenging routes, one-day excursions or full cycling holidays.

2000 kilometres of signposted routes in Schleswig-Holstein, the land of horses
Schleswig-Holstein, between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, is the perfect place for equestrians and horse fans of all ages. A dense network of bridle paths and tracks, including 2000 kilometres of signposted routes, countless equestrian events and friendly, competent hosts, make riding and trekking holidays here a very special experience. The island of Sylt, for instance, offers popular riding excursions to the Wadden Sea at Keitum and has a 30-kilometre network of bridle paths, riding stables for both seasoned and novice riders, and a true equestrian highlight with the German Polo Masters, which takes place at the end of July and the beginning of August.

Find your favourite green on the golfcoast* Schleswig-Holstein

With over 60 golf courses between Sylt and Fehmarn, Schleswig-Holstein is a veritable paradise for golfers. Amazing greens, breathtaking views across the countryside and out to sea and modern driving ranges make golfing in Schleswig-Holstein so special. Many of the courses are open to players without a membership and offer one-off sessions so you can try your hand at this great outdoors sport. The golfküsten*-card and the golfküsten*-card flexi give you great discounts and the flexibility to try any course between the North and the Baltic Sea.

Schleswig-Holstein’s golf courses and hotels have a wide range of special packages and offers, catering to beginners and seasoned golfing enthusiasts who want to try as many new courses as possible while on holiday. The golfküsten*-card flexi, Germany’s very first regionally accepted 9-hole card, costs only €89 and can be purchased online or from over 40 golf courses. The principle is simple: select five courses from the choice of magnificent courses between the North and the Baltic Sea and enjoy a fabulous 9-hole round with a stunning natural panorama. As a special extra, you can combine two 9-hole rounds to a full 18-hole round. The card is can be used 365 days a year on most courses and is valid for twelve months after your first round.

More details and lots of tips for a great holiday in Schleswig-Holstein are available from the Schleswig-Holstein Tourist Office (TASH). Tel. 0049/ 18 05/ 600 604 (calls from Germany are charged at €0.14/min; calls from mobile networks will be charged at a different rate). www.schleswig-holstein.info

Press contact
Tourismus-Agentur Schleswig-Holstein