---
title: "Altes Land"
url: "https://www.northseacycleroute.de/on-the-route/regions/altes-land"
description: "Actively relax on the Elbe River and take a break in Northern Europe's largest fruit-growing region on the North Sea Cycle Route."
language: "en"
breadcrumb: "Root > Home page > On the route > Regions > Altes Land"
---

##### Altes Land 

 

Active relaxation on the Elbe river

Crisp fruit, maritime experiences and more than 1000 km of signposted cycle routes - the Altes Land region on the Elbe between Elbmarsch and Stader Geest boasts all this and a whole lot more. You can walk or cycle along richly adorned half-timbered houses, through orchards, forests and moors, beside the Elbe and along the dyke in northern Europe's largest closed fruit-growing region. You can observe the "big ships" here and, for those who like, take the ferry across to Hamburg. Fruit farms lure visitors with cherries and apples, farm tours and cafés. Two Hanseatic cities, Stade and Buxtehude, are the perfect places to discover history and culture. Visitors can while away the time in historic harbours and on restored sailing ships here or learn fascinating facts about the region in museums. The Altes Land on the Elbe river boasts dreamlike beauty at any time of year, be it in spring among the sea of flowers, in summer on the banks of the Elbe or in autumn during the apple harvest and in the vast expanses of Kehdingen to watch thousands of migratory birds.

 

Altes Land

Herzapfelhof Lühs

Altes Land und Fachwerkhäuser

Apfelblüte Altes Land

Herzapfelhof Lühs

Steinkirchen im Alten Land

 

 5 great highlights

- The Altes Land is a genuine blossoming paradise. Cycling through apple and cherry orchards is the most beautiful way to enjoy the fruit blossom in spring and the harvest in summer and autumn. The ripe fruit is best enjoyed with a slice of delicious fruit tart.
- The Hanseatic City of Stade combines historical and maritime flair. A stroll through the old town, which is surrounded by a moat, or a cosy meal at the Hanseatic harbour are perfect ways to enjoy yourself.
- Hamburg, my pearl! Hamburg is just a stone's throw away from the Altes Land region. You can quickly take the ferry across the Elbe to the Landungsbrücken or Teufelsbrück.
- Forests and moors are what characterise the Stade Geest – a relaxing environment for cycling and hiking.
- A very special occasion takes place in Himmelpforten at Christmas time. Because that's where the Christ Child and Father Christmas call home.

 

Stage overview

The North Sea Cycle Route connects the various regions along the North Sea coast. The following stages run through the Altes Land region:

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Local places of interest

 

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