Cycling on Rügen & Usedom

Your cycling trip begins in Stralsund, whose well-preserved historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's heyday as an important trading hub is still visible in the stately brick buildings and the old town centre. Once you've checked in, the rest of the day is yours to explore. Take a stroll through the alleys and continue on towards the harbour and Hafeninsel. Here you'll find, among other things, the historic sailing ship Gorch Fock. A pleasant and fittingly maritime start to a week that will offer the best of the Baltic Sea.

After breakfast, you take the train from Stralsund to Bergen on Rügen – Germany's largest island. From here the cycling begins. On Rugard Hill just outside Bergen stands the Ernst Moritz Arndt Tower, 91 metres above sea level, offering sweeping views over the island. The journey continues towards Rügen's classic seaside resorts. In Binz you're greeted by elegant seaside architecture, and in Sellin the famous pier stretches almost 400 metres out into the Baltic Sea. Today's destination is Göhren on the Mönchgut peninsula, where fine sandy beaches and a salt-tinged resort atmosphere await.

Today, you decide the pace yourself. Mönchgut juts out into the Baltic Sea and is surrounded by water on three sides – one of Rügen's more understated yet finest corners. If you feel like stretching your legs, you can head out on a shorter walk through sand dunes, heathland and forest. If you'd rather give your cycling legs a holiday, the beach is close at hand for swimming, walks and a lazy day by the sea.

The day begins with one of the trip's most enjoyable modes of transport. You and your bike board the narrow-gauge steam train Rasender Roland and chug from Göhren to Putbus. From there, today's cycling stage begins over relatively flat terrain towards southern Rügen and Glewitz. A small car ferry takes you across the strait to Stahlbrode on the mainland (the ferry ticket is paid on site). After that, the final kilometres to Greifswald remain by bike. Yet another old Hanseatic town awaits, with a historic town centre and plenty of opportunities to find something nice to eat after today's roughly 50 kilometres.

Today the journey continues eastward along the Baltic coast. A natural stop along the way is Lubmin, where a lovely beach and large shady trees invite you to take a break – and perhaps a dip if the weather cooperates. After that, it's not far to Wolgast, the gateway to Usedom. The town lies on both sides of the Peenestrom, and part of the historic town centre is located on a small island. Settle down by the water or take a stroll through the older quarters once the bike is parked for the day. Tomorrow, the next island awaits.

Over the Peene Bridge you leave Wolgast and roll out onto Usedom. The route follows Krumminer Wiek to the small village of Krummin and then continues towards the Baltic Sea resort of Zinnowitz. From here you cycle along a forested coastline where the long sandy beaches are constantly within reach – in other words, there are plenty of chances to park the bike and dive into the deep blue. The final stretch depends on the day's accommodation and may head towards the magnificent imperial seaside resorts along the coast or into Usedom's considerably quieter inland towards Mellenthin.

A magnificent chestnut avenue leads out from Mellenthin towards the Lieper Winkel peninsula, between Achterwasser and Peenestrom. Here the cycling is at times more demanding than earlier in the week, but the surroundings are all the more peaceful. In the fishing village of Rankwitz, the setting is lined with thatched-roof half-timbered houses and old fishermen's cottages. You then cycle through seemingly endless forests and fields, passing the roughly 700-year-old Suckow Oak, over 20 metres tall with a crown spanning about 30 metres. Had enough of the saddle? Then it works just as well to spend the last full day at the beaches of Usedom's classic seaside resorts.

After breakfast, it's time to say auf Wiedersehen to Usedom and the Baltic Sea. You can arrange your journey home on your own or stay a few extra nights. Taking the train back towards Stralsund is a convenient option, and we also offer a pre-booked return transfer on Sundays. If you've rented a bike, you leave it at the final hotel.