Germany’s fantastic cycle paths
These sections offer perfect conditions
Not only the Rhine cycle path knows how to convince its big and small visitors.
© Shutterstock.com/Ekaterina Kuchina
These German cycle paths are particularly suitable for a trip during the summer holidays.
Many vacationers take the summer season as an opportunity to explore Germany extensively by bike. Some routes stand out in particular, be it in terms of scenery or the availability of campsites. According to the ADFC, a connection is particularly popular.
The Bodensee-Königssee cycle path
If you cycle from Lindau on or in Lake Constance to Schönau am Königssee, you can not only enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful nature. Now in summer, the waters there are particularly attractive. So it is important to pack your bathing suit. If necessary, the route can be extended to include Lake Chiemsee in order to enjoy the cool water there as well. And that could be a good idea: After all, the quite hilly route should not attract most visitors Significantly challenge e-bikes.
The view of the Alps is a real highlight and is offered for practically the entire 453-kilometer route. A visit to the royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau in the Allgäu is also worthwhile. The island of Herrenchiemsee, which houses the last palace of Ludwig II, also offers royal flair.
The Rhine Cycle Path
If you want, you can extend the Rhine Cycle Path to three other European countries: Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. This means that the tour can also start in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, instead of in Weil am Rhein. A real highlight there: the roaring Rhine Falls. The Rhine Valley, on the other hand, invites you to relax with its extensive river meadows and lush greenery. So it is a good thing that some places are also dedicated to winegrowing.
Fans of historic castles will also get their money’s worth in the Middle Rhine Valley, where medieval buildings alternate with mystical ruins and impressive rocks. Among the latter, the Loreley is even a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The route is not overly demanding, the majority of the route is paved. This means that bike lovers of all ages and fitness levels can get used to it.
The Baltic Coast Cycle Route
The Baltic Coast Cycle Path has a varied landscape to offer, the untouched nature makes holidaymakers’ hearts beat faster. The 1,055-kilometer trail starts in Flensburg and runs along the coast to Ahlbeck. According to the ADFC “Cycle Travel Analysis 2023”, it comes in third place among the most popular long-distance cycle paths.
Holstein Switzerland and Lauenburg, for example, are crossed without major climbs before the tour ends in Mecklenburg Switzerland and very close to the Polish border. The highlights include the Kiel Fjord, the Bay of Lübeck or the Hanseatic cities of Wismar and Stralsund. With Rügen, the largest island in Germany is also visited.
The route is considered to be moderately difficult, mostly on cycle paths on country roads. Most of the time there will be little incline, only in parts of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania this can change in phases.
The Elbe Cycle Path
The Elbe Cycle Path leads from the Ore Mountains to Cuxhaven. The route through the Saxon Switzerland National Park is particularly beautiful. Cities such as Dresden, Meissen and Hamburg are also on the way: you should definitely make a stopover here. According to the ADFC cycle tour analysis 2023, it is the second most popular cycle route.
From Schöna, a total of seven German federal states are involved. In Saxony, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains above the river inspire amazement. Dresden also attracts with the Zwinger and the Semperoper. In general, every federal state has a station that enriches the 894-kilometer route. Above all, Hamburg with its Elbphilharmonie, the huge harbor and the Reeperbahn encourages fans of culture, marine life and pleasure to linger.
Despite small differences in altitude, a daily workload of 75 kilometers is the maximum, which also has to do with the wind. Since this usually comes from the northwest, connoisseurs often start in Cuxhaven and cycle in the direction of Schöna.
The Weser Cycle Path
Cuxhaven is also the destination of the 520-kilometer-long Weser cycle path. The tour leads from Hannoversch Münden in the Weserbergland to the North Sea and runs through six regions. Cyclists have to plan about eight days for this. According to the ADFC cycle tour analysis 2023, the Weser cycle path is in Germany most popular long-distance cycle route.
The Weserbergland and the river valley lead cyclists through wide, open landscapes. The impressive dykes and the Wadden Sea as a destination make the route so rewarding. Corvey Castle, Porta Westfalica and the Hanseatic City of Bremen also leave a lasting impression along the way. In the latter, visitors can rub the donkey’s hooves with the famous town musicians, which is said to bring good luck for the rest of the journey.
The route is rather downhill and is navigable on both sides of the river. Ferries make it easy to change sides in many places. A well-developed charging network for e-bikes also enables those who cannot manage the route on their own to travel carefree.