Cycling holiday in Germany is super popular
Germany is a true paradise for cyclists and gravel riders. From the steep climbs in the Bavarian Alps to the rolling landscapes of Münsterland and the rugged gravel trails in the Harz, each region has something unique to offer. With an excellent network of cycling routes, a strong cycling culture and roads ranging from sleek asphalt to challenging forest trails, Germany is the destination for anyone who loves to rack up miles on their bike.
Bavaria (Bayern), Germany's largest state, offers a mix of challenging Alpine climbs and rolling routes through picturesque villages. Well-known cycling areas include the Berchtesgadener Land, the region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the lake areas of the Chiemsee and Tegernsee. Here lie climbs such as the Rossfeld Panoramastraße and the Kehlsteinstrasse, where many a climber can indulge. For those who prefer to explore gravel paths, the Bavarian Forest offers endless possibilities.
Baden-Württemberg is home to the Black Forest, a region full of challenging climbs and endless gravel routes. Here you will find iconic climbs such as the Kandel, the Schauinsland and the Hornisgrinde. Along the Lake Constance runs a flat, panoramic route ideal for long endurance rides. In the region Heidelberg and Odenwald you can combine tough climbs with fast descents through dense forests.
North Rhine-Westphalia offers both tough climbing routes and flat, fast roads. In the Eifel You can test your legs on challenging climbs such as the Hohe Acht and the Rursee routes, with beautiful views of volcanic lakes. The Münsterland is just perfect for those who love long, flat rides through endless meadows and historic villages. Here you will find one of the best-developed networks of cycle routes in Germany.
For those looking for a more rugged landscape, Saxony (Saxony) and Thuringia a mix of challenging climbs and gentle gravel routes. The Harz, with the ascent of the Brocken, is a popular destination for climbers. The Erzgebirge, on the border with the Czech Republic, offers a mix of steep climbs and beautiful gravel paths along old mining routes. In Thuringia, the Rennsteig highly recommended for gravel riders.
Cyclists who love wind and vast landscapes will be in their element in northern Germany. In Lower Saxony lie the Lüneburg Heath and the Weserbergland, where you can combine rolling routes with fast descents. Along the North Sea and Baltic coast in Schleswig-Holstein lie endless, flat roads with strong headwinds and views over the Wadden Sea.
Hesse offers challenging routes through the Taunus Mountains, with climbs like the Feldberg and the Großer Feldberg. In Rhineland-Palatinate lies the romantic Moselle Valley, where you can enjoy long, winding climbs past vineyards and historic castles. Also, the Hunsrück and the Palatinate offer a mix of tough climbs and quiet, rural roads.
For long, flat journeys without much car traffic, the eastern states are ideal. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania you can drive through the Mecklenburg Lakes, while in Brandenburg endless roads run through vast forests and past historic villages. The region around Berlin is ideal for cyclists looking for long, straight roads without elevation changes.
With a diverse landscape, well-maintained roads and a wide range of routes, Germany is a top destination for cyclists and gravel riders. Whether you want to conquer the Alpine crags of Bavaria, explore the forests of the Harz or seek endless plains in the north, Germany has it all. Thanks to its excellent infrastructure and cycle-friendly accommodation, this is a country where every cyclist feels at home.
Germany is not only very close, cycling in Germany is also very diverse. You can cycle flat kilometres along the coast or in the 1000 lakes region. Cycling along the Rhine or Moselle is also good and relatively flat. You can also cycle through the hilly countryside in, for example, Munsterland, Sauerland North Rhine-Westphalia or more to the east in Saxony. Mountains also call. In the Harz, in the Black Forest and in Bavaria, you can climb really nicely.
One of the most popular destinations for the Dutch, about 3 hours' drive from Utrecht, is the Eifel. This is where many novice cyclists learn to climb well. It is also the region of the gravel event 'Highway to Hellenthal'. Another much-used destination is the Sauerland, where you can make a lot of altimeters. You can also gravel well here.
There is fantastic graveling all over Germany. Because of the many wooded areas, it is actually everywhere. Across the border near Nijmegen is the Reichswald. Near the Czech border is Saxon Switzerland, known for the Bohemian Border Bash. Think also of Baden-Wurttemberg and the Land of 1000 Hills. In fact, you won't be wrong anywhere
Germany also lends itself perfectly to a lot of altimeters. Around Freiburg you are in the Black Forest and there you have the Feldberg, among others. Further down in Bavaria you have a lot of nice climbs near Garmisch Partenkirchen. And as mentioned earlier, the Harz has been a favourite for years.
In short: Germany is the perfect cycling destination nearby.
Germany has a continental climate. That means it can get very hot in summer and very cool in winter. Due to its relatively northerly location, you can cycle well in lots of places in Germany between roughly March and October.
In summer, the mountain region around the Black Forest is very beautiful but relatively warm. The same goes for the regions in Bavaria. Although milder than southern Italy or Spain, it is still 30 degrees.
If so, opt rather for destinations towards the Harz or Saxon Switzerland, for example.
Germany has lots of beautiful gravel paths and forest trails, but pay close attention to local regulations. There has been a lot of fuss in Germany about sharing paths with hikers and other road users. Always pay attention to local regulations. In Germany, rules really are rules, so stick to them!
Germany has a special infrastructure where cycle paths are sometimes very narrow, seem to run on the pavement and where the car still rules in many places. So always pay attention to where you can cycle, use daylighting if you find it convenient and, of course, always be friendly.
If you want to cycle in Germany, there are basically three ways to get there.
Car: The Autobahn is there for the tourist, it seems. Basically, all of Germany is perfectly reachable by car. Although south-east Germany is a bit of a cart. But basically you can be in 60% of Germany in 4-5 hours from Utrecht. That's a lot of cycling routes to choose from
Train: Germany's train network and certainly in connection with the Netherlands is very good. The only challenge is whether and how you can bring your bike. On the ICE, for example, it takes some time to find out. On regional trains, you can usually take your bike in its entirety (and there are plenty of places available). Always have a look at Bahn.de for the latest info
Bike: The advantage is that you can reach Germany from the Netherlands by bike. What's hot! You can bikepack from your front door for a weekend and then cross Germany. You can take the train to, say, Maastricht or Nijmegen and then head into Germany. Or you can just ride 'just to Berlin'.
On our Komoot page you will find some route collections with beautiful routes from beautiful Germany.
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