Altes Land – one of the largest fruit-growing regions in Europe, attracting with blooming orchards, cycling paths, and traditional half-timbered farmsteads.
Altes Land, meaning 'Old Land', is a vast fruit-growing region stretching along the Elbe River south of Hamburg. As early as the 12th century, Dutch colonists began draining and settling the area, bringing with them the tradition of fruit cultivation. Today, it is the largest contiguous fruit-growing region in Central Europe, renowned especially for apples, cherries, and pears.
Tourists are drawn here primarily by the spring blooming orchards – cherry blossoms in April and May apple avenues create a fragrant landscape. Cycling and hiking trails lead between half-timbered farms, ancient villages like Jork and Steinkirchen, and the historic port city of Stade. Farm cafés serving homemade pies and ciders are also famous.
From the Czech Republic, Altes Land is easily accessible via the highway to Hamburg and then across the Elbe by ferry or bridge. The ideal times to visit are spring (blossom) and autumn (harvest), but summer also offers many cultural events. Don't forget to taste fresh apple cider and take a walk along the traditional fruit-growing educational trail.
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GPS: 53.5333, 9.6667
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