Germany is an excellent destination for bike lovers, offering a wealth of long-distance cycle paths that stretch across the entire country. Whether you are looking to enjoy the landscapes, discover the culture or simply seek a sporting challenge, with over 200 long-distance cycle routes and 70,000 kilometers of cycle paths, Germany is a true paradise for cyclists. Read on to find out which are the most popular long-distance cycle routes in Germany and what preparations you should make before setting off on your bike!

What are long-distance cycle routes?

Long-distance cycle routes are specially designed routes for cyclists that cover long distances. They are often several hundred kilometers long and connect cities, landscapes and attractions. Along the routes, there are usually also places to stay overnight, restaurants and bicycle repair shops. The first long-distance cycle route in Germany was the Altmühltal Cycle Route, which opened in 1978.

The most popular long-distance cycle routes in Germany

Whether you are an experienced or recreational cyclist, there is no better way to explore Germany than on one of the many long-distance cycle routes. Below, we take a look at some of the most popular and most frequently visited routes to inspire your next bike trip.

Moselle Cycle Route

The Moselle Cycle Path is one of the most famous cycle paths in Germany, following the Moselle River through a stunning landscape of vineyards, historic towns and quaint villages. There are many impressive sights to see along the way, including Eltz Castle, the Roman city of Trier and the medieval town of Cochem.

• Length: approx. 310 km
• Topography: The Moselle Cycle Path is known for being almost completely flat. There are only very occasional short ascents.
• Signposting: The Moselle Cycle Path is signposted throughout, mostly with the green and white Moselle logo.
• Route profile: For the most part, the Moselle Cycle Path is on paved bike paths, low-traffic roads and bike lanes. Only rarely, especially in nature reserves, can you encounter unpaved or poorly passable sections. In many places, you have the option of crossing the riverbank via a bridge or ferry.

Ruhr Valley Cycle Path

The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route runs along the Ruhr and offers a diverse landscape with plenty of industrial history. Cyclists can explore the former industrial region of the Ruhr area on this route, including the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Essen and the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park.

• Length: approx. 240 km
• Topography: There are some climbs in the first 35 kilometers of the route, but the terrain is mostly flat from there on.
• Signage: For the most part, you will be riding on uniformly signposted cycle and agricultural paths that are separate from car traffic.
• Route profile: The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route mainly follows asphalted, well-developed cycle paths, but there are also sections with gravel and grit.

Weser Cycle Route

The Weser Cycle Route follows the river Weser from Hannoversch Münden to the North Sea, offering a varied route through idyllic landscapes, historic towns and charming villages. After passing the dikes in the north, the tour ends at the Wadden Sea.

• Length: 520 km
• Topography: The Weser Cycle Route is mostly flat.
• Signage: The Weser Cycle Route is signposted with yellow-blue-green signs throughout. Along the main route, there are signposted alternative routes on the opposite bank.
• Route profile: The route mostly runs on cycle paths and riverside paths, quiet country lanes and only very rarely on unsurfaced paths.

Lahn Cycle Route

The Lahn Cycle Path runs along the Lahn River and offers an idyllic route through picturesque villages, historic towns and breathtaking scenery. Cyclists can see many impressive sights along the way, including Lahneck Castle, Oranienstein Castle and the university town of Marburg.

• Length: approx. 245 km
• Topography: From the start of the route, you will cycle through open river landscapes with meadows and hills. Later, the steep and forested slopes of the Taunus and Westerwald await you.
• Signposting: The Lahn Cycle Path is uniformly signposted with a green bicycle logo and the red inscription Das Lahntal.
• Route profile: Most of the cycle path is on asphalted paths that are largely free of traffic and mostly run directly along the river.

Mainradweg

The Main Cycle Path extends along the Main from its source in Bischofsgrün to its confluence with the Rhine near Mainz. Along the route are three of the seven Bavarian UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the old town of Bamberg, the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth and the Würzburg Residence. In addition, the varied cultural and natural landscape of Franconia is waiting to be explored by you.

• Length: approx. 600 km
• Topography: The Main Cycle Path is flat.
• Signposting: The cycle path is signposted throughout with the Main Cycle Path logo in both directions.
• Route profile: In general, the cycle path runs along the Main River on separate cycle paths or low-traffic country and farm roads. Only rarely do you have to take unpaved forest or dirt roads.

Other popular cycle paths in Germany

Besides these five cycle paths, there are many other popular long-distance cycle paths in Germany, including the Elbe Cycle Route, the Lake Constance Cycle Path and the Danube Cycle Path. Each of these cycle paths has its own unique features, attractions and challenges and offers an unforgettable cycling tour through Germany.

Cycling route with a seal of quality

The Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC) has developed a classification of quality cycle routes to provide cyclists with orientation and a certain degree of security when planning bike tours. The advantages of these cycle paths lie mainly in the good signage, the varied routing and the infrastructure along the route. Long-distance cycle paths must meet the criteria set by the ADFC. Info: You can find the ratings of the above-listed cycle paths on the official ADFC website.

Preparations for long-distance cycle routes in Germany

If you are planning a bike tour, the first thing you should do is decide on your route, taking into account your fitness level. It’s best to choose a route with few inclines and no more than 400 km to start with. Then you should plan your travel to and from the starting point and choose the right bike. If you already have a bike, it’s best to have it checked by a professional before the tour and to have the bike properly adjusted. Tip: We have put together a packing list for the bike tour. This way you will have everything you need with you. If you decide to plan your bike tour professionally, luggage transport is often included. In this case, you can pack your travel bag separately and only take the essentials for the day’s stage with you in the panniers on the rack.

Explore long-distance cycle routes in Germany – with professional planning from RAD+REISEN

Individually planning cycle tours is popular, but professional planning has many advantages. One of the biggest advantages is that you don’t have to worry about a thing. Do you have a busy schedule or don’t want to deal with the stressful organization of the tour? At RAD+REISEN, we’ll take care of exactly that for you! You can fully concentrate on cycling and experiencing the landscape while we take care of everything. As experts, we can often better estimate tours and distances and thus plan an optimal route on the long-distance cycle paths. With us, you also benefit from pre-booked accommodation, a luggage service and transport, and the latest rental bikes. Our 24-hour service hotline is also at your disposal.

Long-distance cycle paths in Germany – experience Germany on two wheels

Long-distance cycle paths in Germany are an excellent way to experience the country and its people on two wheels. The well-developed and signposted cycle paths lead through picturesque landscapes and past numerous attractions. However, careful preparation and planning are essential to make the tour safe and relaxed.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions about long-distance cycle paths in Germany

Which is the most beautiful cycle path in Germany?

According to the ADFC Cycle Tourism Analysis 2023, the Weser Cycle Route is the most popular long-distance cycle route in Germany.

Where can you go on a good cycling holiday in Germany?

From north to south, Germany offers many attractive regions for cycling vacations. Popular destinations include Lake Constance, the Danube Cycle Route and the Baltic Sea coast. It is important to check the routes and difficulty levels beforehand in order to plan your vacation well.

What long-distance cycle paths are there in Germany?

Germany has many long-distance cycle paths that lead through different regions and picturesque landscapes. Among the most famous and popular are the Moselle Cycle Path, the Weser Cycle Path and the Rhine Cycle Path.