A round around Hiddensee

The ferry stops for the first time at Neuendorf harbour and we get off to spend as much time as possible on the Baltic Sea island. If you want to extend the ferry experience a little further, you can also sail on to the ports of Vitte or Kloster, as our tour passes both places. From the small harbour basin we can see Rügen on the opposite side of the Bodden. A short round to the south around Plogshagen takes us to the Baltic Sea beach of Hiddensee for the first time. The waves crash against the groynes that are supposed to keep the island from being gradually eroded. We continue north and cycle along the path across the beautiful meadow landscape. Apart from a handful of commercial vehicles, Hiddensee is completely car-free, which makes cycling very pleasant. At a few isolated buildings we see the ferry island (1) on the right, where a research facility for microbiology and experimental therapy was located until 1992. Today, wild sheep hide here among the juniper bushes and we continue into the village of Vitte. Straight down to the harbour, small inns and cafés invite you to stop for a bite to eat. The many handcarts have a tradition on the island and are used by locals as well as holidaymakers for the pleasant transport of belongings of all kinds. We take the dyke path along the Vitter Bodden at a leisurely pace - at most the wind might cause some exertion. Soon we reach Kloster, the oldest town on the island. The harbour is bustling with activity: The ships are moored in the "fourth" or even "fifth row" and fresh smoked fish is on sale. Now we cycle straight out of the village and uphill on a flagstone path. We pass the Neubauer horse farm and are soon in the middle of Hiddensee's famous moorland. The orange sea buckthorn grows to the left and right of the steadily steeper path. Very popular as a souvenir, you can get it in almost all shops in various forms. You can buy sea buckthorn juice, honey, soap, cakes and of course sea buckthorn schnapps. We leave our bikes behind and walk the last few metres to the lighthouse (2). From Hiddensee's landmark we have a unique panoramic view of the entire island, the Bodden and the Baltic Sea. On the descent to Kloster, special consideration must be given to the many hikers. At the crossroads, we keep to the right and soon see the island church on the right (3). We cycle straight on past the horse-drawn carriage station and the Gerhart Hauptmann House (4) to the Heimatmuseum. From the beginning of the 20th century, Hiddensee earned the reputation of an artists' colony, because artists of all "disciplines" liked to stay here and let their creativity be inspired. A look at the beach and a short bathing break are next on the programme - those who wish can also go amber hunting. Then we take the beach path back to Vitte, where we pass the Henni Lehmann House (5). Behind the village, we meet the route already known from the outward journey to the harbour of Neuendorf, the destination of our tour.