Attractions and Places To See around Lüneburg - Top 20

The landscape of the Ilmenau lowlands is wonderfully varied. It is characterized by wide meadows and pastures, which are broken up by rows of trees, scattered swamps and marsh forests. The idyllic heath river Ilmenau is a largely natural flowing water with numerous tributaries. It is by far the largest and most important body of water in the Lüneburg Heath. The Ilmenau is formed south of Uelzen from the confluence of the heath rivers Gerdau and Stederau. It meanders more or less strongly through the varied landscape until it finally flows into the Elbe at Hoopte just outside Hamburg. On these approximately 90 kilometers it flows through places such as Bad Bevensen, Bienenbüttel, Deutsch Evern and Lüneburg. North of Lüneburg the Ilmenau merges into the Ilmenau Canal and from there can only be considered to be close to nature to a limited extent. Source: https://www.lueneburger-heide.de/natur/artikel/10579/die-ilmenau-zauberhafter-fluss-in-der-heide.html

The banks of the Elbe, especially near Stiepelse, have a peace and beauty that captivates cyclists and nature enthusiasts alike. As the tires roll quietly along the path next to the mighty river, a panorama reveals itself that has its own charm in every season. The view over the Elbe from the Deichweg is a constantly changing natural spectacle, characterized by the gentle flow of the water and the vast landscape. In Stiepelse itself, a village with more than 800 years of history, you can feel the deep connection the people have with their land and the Elbe. The direct location on the river, which was used for centuries, tells stories of trade, fishing and a community that knew how to preserve its place despite all historical upheavals. Today, restaurants and guesthouses invite you to enjoy the idyllic tranquility and pause for a moment. The cycle path along the banks of the Elbe is not just a route from one place to another; it is an invitation to discover and experience the beauty of nature. Whether you're sunbathing on the dike, playing in the beach area or swimming in the Elbe - the proximity to nature and the freedom that this place offers are unique. The Elbe bank landscape near Stiepelse is a testimony to the harmonious coexistence of people and nature. It is a place that shows how valuable and enriching simply cycling along the river can be. Here you will not only find a breathtaking view and a welcome break on the journey, but also a piece of living history and culture.

An absolute peace and dream setting

Beautiful cycling on the banks of the Elbe.

The Lüneburg ship lift in Scharnebeck works as a double lift. Both troughs of the ship lift work independently of each other and overcome a height difference of 38 m. Four guide towers are assigned to each trough. Through the trough-like openings in these towers, the opposing ups and downs of the trough and the counterweights can be seen. The weight of a water-filled trough with a usable length of 100 m, a width of 11.80 m and a water depth of 3.40 m, with or without a ship, is always 6000 t, since the ships displace as much water from the trough as they weigh themselves when entering and leaving the trough . In the area of the towers, the troughs rest on support frames. Each trough is held by 240 steel cables, each 54 millimeters thick. These are guided over cable pulleys on the top floor of the towers and connected to the support frame at one end of the cable and to the counterweights at the other end. They consist of 224 heavy concrete slabs, each weighing around 27.2 tonnes. Each trough is powered by 4 three-phase motors, each with 160 kW, which overcome a maximum lifting height of 38 m in approx. 3 minutes. The troughs can accommodate ships up to 100 m long, which is where the first problem begins. Modern cargo or tank ships are 110 m long and push convoys are 185 m long. The troughs with a usable length of 100 m are no longer sufficient for these ships.

The classic way to cross rivers is still by ferry. You can use the crossing to relax for a bit and/or take a few photos. While you're at it, observe nature and/or chat with the ferrywoman.

Beautiful bike path and always the Elbe in view.

The huge hoist in Scharnebeck near Lüneburg lifts ships in the Elbe Lateral Canal by 38 meters. The hoist works like a gigantic elevator: In two troughs filled with water, ships traveling on the Elbe Lateral Canal are lifted from the Elbmarsch 38 meters higher into the Geest landscape of the Lüneburg Heath. The pure journey time of a trough takes three minutes, from the entrance to the exit a ship takes 20 minutes. Source: www.ndr.de/ratgeber/reise/lueneburger_heide/