9 camping destinations near Hamburg: Sustainable travelling

What if freedom and adventure weren't that far away after all? What if you didn't even have to travel far to go on an amazing road trip? What if holidays weren't so expensive and if you could enjoy a relaxing holiday close by. What if travelling left the smallest possible ecological footprint and what if...what if refuelling only once would be enough?

In fact, this is actually possible! The only thing we have to do is limiting the distance of our road trip so that we only need one full tank.

A Grand California with a standard tank holds 80 litres of fuel. We can travel more than 900 km if we drive economically. That means 900km full of adventures and nice travel destinations.

In this article we want to show you the 9 most beautiful destinations near Hamurg. The surrounding area offers the best conditions for a successful road trip - even without travelling long distances. Here you'll find ideas for cycling tours, hiking trails and mountain bike trails as well as insider tips for the best camping sites and hidden cafes. Hamburg's surrounding area offers the prospect of both tranquillity and adventure. Whether it's a weekend trip or an outdoor adventure: there's sure to be something for everyone here!

So let's go - explore Hamburg's surrounding!

What difference does the focus on local highlights actually make in the overall context?

Sure: First of all, adjusting the travel radius with regard to current fuel prices would make extra travel budget available for other activities. Awesome. Love it.

But more importantly, concentrating on the surrounding region is much more sustainable and protects the environment in a very decisive way. Experts refer to this as environmentally and socially responsible tourism. ´Soft tourism` as the opposite of mass tourism with the major goal of ecological and social sustainability. This includes the claim to design tourism in such a way that not only the needs of present but also those of future travellers can be met.

The choices made by travellers play an essential role in this. Choosing not to travel by plane saves an immense amount of CO2 and avoiding overcrowded coastal areas helps the respective region to achieve a much better balance.

Nevertheless, it is important to emphasise that the perfect sustainable way of travelling does not exist. However, regionality can make holidays as sustainable as possible. All the better if, in the end, not only your wallet but also the local economy and culture can benefit from it.

Here you'll find all the information you need to satisfy your wanderlust and make your road trip around Hamburg unforgettable. We'll show you how it's done!

The Boberger Dünen/Dunes are a paradise for anyone who wants to escape the city without actually having to escape the city. Hamburg's last shifting sand dune is located just on the border to Schleswig-Holstein and is home to countless animal and plant species over an area of 350 hectares (including the moor area). Cool hikes in the unusual sandy landscapes and a crystal-clear swimming lake make the dunes one of the destinations near Hamburg that you definitely shouldn't miss.

The Sachsenwald is located in the south-west of the Hamburg region and is the largest contiguous green area in Schleswig-Holstein so outdoor fans are well catered for. There's an extensive selection of hiking trails, cycle paths and mountain bike trails that offer the opportunity to really get rid of some energy. If you fancy a bike ride we can recommend a 3-hour tour along the old railway road. This leads along bathing spots and the ´green tunnel` - the highlight of the Witzhave circuit. For those who prefer to spend less time on the bike we can recommend the Ahrensfelder Wegrunde. This leads past the Bredenbek pond and the Lottbek reservoir and takes about 1.5 hours.

Camping tip: If you head towards the Baltic Sea afterwards for the next highlight you'll find the following private campsites where you can spend the night "wild camping style" for very little money halfway along the route!

The fact that it's not far from Hamburg to the Baltic Sea comes as no surprise to most people. What is less well known, however, is the fact that between beach chairs and sunscreen - between package tourists and spa visitors - there's also a less crowded natural beach. The small stretch of coastline is located in Rettin and offers not only sand and waves but also the chance for peace and space for thoughts. A perfect place for sea, space and solitude. It's also the perfect location for a sundowner or two.

Camping tip: If you want to spend the night right by the sea afterwards the Rettin campsite isn't far away.

For those who particularly long for nature and want to escape the city for a short time, a day trip to Seeberger Forst is definitely worthwhile. It's in the north of the Hanseatic city and it's the second largest forest area in the region after the Sachsenwald. In addition to its diverse nature there's one thing above all: fresh air. You can walk for hours without ever meeting other tourists. Ideal for relaxing, we think. It's so idyllic here that the forest area is still a habitat for wolves. But don't worry: they prefer to keep to themselves. So Seeberger Forst is the perfect place to experience nature and diversity and to swap the big city for short or long trips in the forest every now and then. In winter, by the way, the place is also ideal for cross-country skiing.

Camping tip: You can also find private campsites near Bad Segeberg. Here you can stay close to nature and camp on various orchards. There's even with a fireplace and barbecue facilities.

If you're more in the mood for a relaxing walk you'll certainly enjoy a leisurely alpaca walk. The Wiedwisch farm is located north of Hamburg and offers exclusive experiences with fluffy companions.

The Old Country has an impressive description: it is the largest closed fruit-growing area in Europe. But that's not the only reason why we think you should definitely plan a stop here in the ´Alte Land` on your road trip. It's one of those destinations close to Hamburg where you might briefly forget that you haven't been driving far at all because the area, which lies north-west of the city along the Elbe, exudes a bundled Dutch flair. There are countless fruit farmers with small farm cafés, windmills like something out of a children's book and names like ´Hogendiekbrücke` which give you the feeling that you're in the Netherlands.

Camping tip: If you want to enjoy the orchard flair a little bit longer, you're sure to find a pitch right on the river Elbe.

Stade is a wonderfully idyllic community on Lower Saxony's side of the Elbe. If you're driving west from Hamburg, you'll be in the wonderful old town in no time. One of the destinations near Hamburg where the world is still so tidy it could hardly be tidier. Here, red half-timbered houses line up with small cafés and the Schwinge flows right through the centre. A small river that flows into the Elbe a few kilometres further on. One of the places where a cappuccino in the sun can set new standards of enjoyment and, in our opinion, well worth a visit as a travel destination.

The claim of a real road trip is relatively presumptuous considering the admittedly short distance from the city of Hamburg to the Harburg mountains. Probably as pretentious as the claim ´mountains` because the Hasselbrack - the highest hill in the surrounding area - measures just a measly 116 metres in altitude. Nevertheless, the relatively steep climb provides endless outdoor possibilities. There are trails for trail runners and offers for every hiking level. Mountain bikers can let off steam here on gravel descents as well as on root-covered single trails. The ideal starting point for the descent into the ´valley` is the Kärntner Hütte on Cuxhavener Straße.

Camping tip: If you like camping on the banks of the Elbe you'll find a campsite at the Elbepark Bunthaus with a beautiful view.

Fischbeker Heide is a nature reserve that is covered in pink blossoms in August and September. This is the source of the Heidschnuckenweg, a 223km long long-distance hiking trail that leads through the Lüneburg Heath to Celle. But don't worry: first of all, the trail is divided into stages, and Fischbeker Heide is the ideal place to find peace and take a deep breath, even without a long hike.

In conclusion, it can be confirmed that local travel also allows for special nature experiences. If you combine all of these destinations surrounding Hamburg into a single road trip you'll cover 406 km. So you have about half a tank of fuel left to extend your road trip individually and spontaneously. A road trip without refuelling.

If you'd like more inspiration in your search for private campsites around Hamburg then take a look at our blog post on this topic. And who knows: maybe our collection of travel destinations near Hamburg will help you gain a new perspective on the travel potential of your immediate surroundings. We would definitely be delighted!