Lake Alster/Eppendorf/Harvestehude
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Duration:
3-4 hrs depending on your pace and length of the walk + about 1-2 hrs in Eppendorf Start: Metro station Klosterstern, U1 (Blue Line) |
Distance:
Lake Alster (one round): 4.6 miles (7.5 km) Metro station Klosterstern to Lake Alster: 0.5 miles (0.9km) Stroll through Eppendorf: 1.5 miles (2.5 km) |
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A tour along Lake Alster includes not only a stroll along the beautiful lakefront but also lovely old buildings and mansions that frame the promenade. Besides, you will run into many jetties with attached coffee shops, restaurants, and canoe rentals.
Lake Alster originates from the Alster river, a tributary of river Elbe. The river flow was dammed to form a lake in the 1190’s to power a watermill. By today Lake Alster and the canals are a large recreation area in Hamburg and very popular with runners, pedestrians, bicyclists, canoeists, and sailors. Furthermore the area is used for festivals like the Alstervergnügen in summer and if the lake freezes for the same event in winter. By then pedestrians are allowed to walk onto the frozen lake and to ice-skate. I recommend starting the stroll/hike from metro station Klosterstern (U1) since you can spend the evening after the lake visit in the beautiful quarter of Eppendorf. |
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Exiting the metro station head towards the roundabout and walk down Harvestehuder Weg (take the left side) until you come to a park to your left. Walk through the small park that adjoins one of the canals that floats into the lake at Krugkoppel Bridge and cross the street. At the other side I recommend to start circling the lake to the left.
1st stop: Krugkoppelbrücke
From Krugkoppelbrücke (brigde) you have a wonderful view over the lake and towards the city center. If the weather permits and you are looking for some work-out rent a canoe behind the bridge at Bobby Reich. Walkers and bikers continue along the lake turning right into Bellevue with its big mansions. This area is popular to have BBQs in summer.
From Krugkoppelbrücke (brigde) you have a wonderful view over the lake and towards the city center. If the weather permits and you are looking for some work-out rent a canoe behind the bridge at Bobby Reich. Walkers and bikers continue along the lake turning right into Bellevue with its big mansions. This area is popular to have BBQs in summer.
2nd stop: Park @ Fährhausstrasse
At the corner of Herbert-Weichmann-Brücke (bridge) make another right and then turn right into Fährhausstrasse where you have even more mansions. Take a detour through the small park to the right. Walk to the front from where you have a nice view over the lake and the shore. The building adjoining to the park to the left is the home of one of the city’s rowing clubs. On the opposite of the street you come along the Islamic Centre of Hamburg, a beautiful teal and gold colored mosque.
At the corner of Herbert-Weichmann-Brücke (bridge) make another right and then turn right into Fährhausstrasse where you have even more mansions. Take a detour through the small park to the right. Walk to the front from where you have a nice view over the lake and the shore. The building adjoining to the park to the left is the home of one of the city’s rowing clubs. On the opposite of the street you come along the Islamic Centre of Hamburg, a beautiful teal and gold colored mosque.
3rd stop: Alsterperle
Further along the path you pass several lawns and a small restaurant/café. Just walk a little bit further down the path towards a small shack (right hand side from the parking lot). This is the “Alsterperle”. If you need a hot or cold drink make a stop here and sit down at one of the high tables. If you like to be inside I highly recommend the “Literaturhaus Café” (http://www.literaturhauscafe.de/) a coffee house in an old white art nouveau building on the other street side behind the parking lot.
Further along the path you pass several lawns and a small restaurant/café. Just walk a little bit further down the path towards a small shack (right hand side from the parking lot). This is the “Alsterperle”. If you need a hot or cold drink make a stop here and sit down at one of the high tables. If you like to be inside I highly recommend the “Literaturhaus Café” (http://www.literaturhauscafe.de/) a coffee house in an old white art nouveau building on the other street side behind the parking lot.
4th stop: Hotel Atlantic
Continue following the lakefront, passing the loud intersection of Schwanenwik and Sechslingspforte to come across a sailing and another rowing club. On the other side of the street appears the white and famous Hotel Atlantic, easy to spot because of the globe on the roof. It opened its doors in 1909 and was the best hotel in Germany for several decades. To your right is a canoe and sailing boat rental that also comes with a nice patio that opens stunning views over the lake: the “Barca”. This is one of the favorite places to spend the sunset in Hamburg. If it is still too early continue your walk. By now you made it half around the lake.
If you don’t want to walk further cut through Holzdamm next to Hotel Atlantic, which gets you to metro and central station Hauptbahnhof. If you still want to spend the rest of the day in Eppendorf take the metro U1 to Klosterstern or U3 to Eppendorfer Baum.
5th stop: Kennedybrücke
All others follow the lakeshore crossing Kennedybrücke (Kennedy bridge) from where you have a wonderful view towards the Northern side of the lake and towards the city center, town hall, and Michel (church).
Behind Kennedybrücke follow the trail to your right, which brings you to another rowing club.
6th stop: Alsterufer
Further along the lake you pass the American embassy that is easy to spot thanks to barricades and police sheds. By now you almost made it - just one more kilometer!
Towards the end of the path follows another restaurant called “Cliff”. This is one of the hot spots for wannabes in Hamburg. However, the view is nice and maybe you need another refreshment. Behind the restaurant is a small shack selling Currywurst and ice cream just in case you need a small snack.
You finished the walk when you reach “Red Dog Café” and Krugkoppel Bridge again. The Red Dog is a nice cocktail bar in case you need an energizer from the 5 miles path.
Further along the lake you pass the American embassy that is easy to spot thanks to barricades and police sheds. By now you almost made it - just one more kilometer!
Towards the end of the path follows another restaurant called “Cliff”. This is one of the hot spots for wannabes in Hamburg. However, the view is nice and maybe you need another refreshment. Behind the restaurant is a small shack selling Currywurst and ice cream just in case you need a small snack.
You finished the walk when you reach “Red Dog Café” and Krugkoppel Bridge again. The Red Dog is a nice cocktail bar in case you need an energizer from the 5 miles path.
7th stop: Eppendorf
Walk back over Harvestehuder Weg to Klosterstern and continue along Eppendorfer Baum the main artery of the quarter. To the left and right you will see art nouveau buildings that extend to the side alleys and streets. This part of the quarter is packed with small boutiques, delis, restaurants, and coffee shops. If you are more interested in the architecture stay on Eppendorfer Baum, continue along Eppendorfer Landstrasse (goes off to the right from Eppendorfer Baum) or turn right into Isestrasse from Eppendorfer Baum coming from Klosterstern.
If you are looking for a nice restaurant or wine bar to settle the day check-out “Tiefenthal” next to metro station Eppendorfer Baum, “Pius” at the end of Hegestrasse (left from Eppendorfer Baum) or “Brücke” at Isestrasse and Innocentiastrasse (left from Eppendorfer Baum).