This large area is in the north-e- of town. Its long pawed roads are brilliant for roller-blading and biking and the many trails for walking and horse-riding. There is place for dogs to meet and run around in too.

You get to the main entrance “Eichberg” taking S 4 to Rahlstedt, then continuing by bus 268 to bus-stop Eichberg.

Hamburg has many many large zones where dogs can run unleashed.

If you have done and carry a “Gehorsamsprüfung Zertifikat” then your dog can also run unleased in  parks, on paths, trails and on lawns in all public parks and recreation areas in Wandsbek and Harburg but for where its explicitly says “no dogs”.

There is more info around the freetime with your dog; where you get doggy-bags for free etc. etc.

Or if you have questions call the dog-hotline Hamburg: Mo-Th 8-16 Uhr, Fr 8-14 Uhr
Tel: 428 28 - 0

The reserve of “Wittenberger Heide” is in the west of town by the Elbe. It is an really unique retreat where you can swim and sunbathe on its sandy beaches that stretch along the shore-side and walk the 3km long round trail in the mixed forest. Either or both are an exiting discovery tour.

Another reserve just close by (east of the pier) is called “Wittenberger Elbwiesen”, also a beautiful walk, ca. 1km long. Its takes you along the beach and around a marsh area.

You can get there by HADAG ferries from Landungsbrücke to the pier in Wittenberger on week-ends and public holidays.

By car, you pass Blankenese and continue to Rissen. Then you take off to Wittenbergen and go all the way south towards the Elbe and to the end of Rissener Ufer where you’ll find a parking lot.

Bus 189 takes you to “Tinsdaler Kirchweg” from there you will need to walk down the Wittenberger Weg and go right on the Rissener Ufer that takes you to the beach and reserves.

The S-bahn takes you to “Rissen”, from there you’ll have a bit to walk.

Other nature reserves:

North of these reserves you have a moor/marsh land reserve “Schnaakenmoor” that offers a 4 km round-tour.

There are lots more! Click this link and choose the ones you are intersted in with the mouse. You will find all the infos you need (in german).

Wish you an exiting day of exploration!

Last week-end I biked from down-town with the picnic-bag on my back to try the Boberger (swimming) lake that is by Billwerder/Boberg, i.e. east-southish. It took about 1 hour. You can also go there by S21to Mittlere Landweg and Bus 330 to Billwerder Kirche.

The nature is varied with beautiful large sand-dunes in the forest and pieces of open landscape. The lake attracts many people - the embankment with sand seemed to be preferred by families. You can swim everywhere but for one corner where the water plants dominate. A “Kaffee-garden” by the Billwerder Deich (embankment) offers refreshments.

Further swimming-lakes in Hamburg are (all in the east or s-e but for Bredenbecker Teich in the n-e); Allermöher See, Eichbaumsee, See hinterm Horn, Öjendorfer See, Hohendeicher See and Bredenbecker Teich.

Closer down-town in the “Stadtpark” (Central Park) you find the swimming lake “Stadtparksee“. There is a small “beach” there for children to play and grown-ups can freely swim lengths of 100-meter .  You have to pay a small entry fee. There are warm showers and a coffee and ice-cream shop.

Have a nice swim!