You may not think that Orlando, Florida and Hamburg have anything at all in common, but they do. They are both completely flat and very green almost year round. When I go to Orlando to visit my family, I stay just a mile from Blanchard Park, a small park where the Little Econ Greenway Trail begins. This is a paved trail that follows along the Econlockhatchee River, where you pass a butterfly garden, picnic tables, children’s playgrounds, ballparks and water coolers. Almost daily you can see an alligator or two sunning on the opposite bank of the river and the variety of birds is too numerous to mention here, but herons and osprey are abundant. I begin every morning with a ten mile roundtrip bike ride. I ride while many people roller blade, power walk or just mosey along.

There is more sun in Orlando, with perhaps the exception of this past summer, but Hamburg boasts a bicycle trail that rivals those found in the vacation state. From downtown Hamburg to Schleswig-Holstein it is possible to follow the Alster River along a dirt path known as the Alsterwanderweg (or the Alster hiking trail). You can begin your bike ride in the center of Hamburg on the west side of the Binnenalster (which looks like part of a larger lake, the Aussenalster, but is actually just where the Alster River widens). Follow the trail around the Binnenalster, then the Aussenalster through the Alsterpark, continuing approximately twenty kilometers until you reach Poppenbüttel (the southern part) and then continuing yet another fifteen kilometers to Kayhude (the northern part). The headwaters of the Alster (Alsterquelle) can be found surrounded by a wall in Henstedt-Rhen, about ten kilometers from Gaststätte Heidkrug in Kayhude.

There are many ways to follow the Alster with lots of side trails that can be worth exploring for a glimpse of an untouched pond teeming with swans or a variety of ducks or a well manicured lawn. Occasionally the trail exits to the street to avoid private land, then you have to look for the next entrance.

Some of the houses are quite extraordinary. You will pass lots of benches, some playgrounds and perhaps even better than a few water coolers, you will pass some cafes and restaurants. Much of the way is just lovely greenspace with the trail surrounded by trees and opening up in areas for a clear view of the Alster. From time to time you need to cross bridges, which going north past Poppenbüttel can be quaint wooden constructions that blend in with the woods and water. There are many locks (Schleuse) some of which have restaurants affording gorgeous views of the river and wooded landscape. There is even a hotel at the Mellingburger Schleuse. This thatched roof hotel is over 200 years old and is perched above the lock in the forest. The restaurant terrace overlooks the river. At the Poppenbüttler Schleuse you will find The Locks restaurant which has outside tables overlooking a wide area of the river where many people begin canoe trips.