Cycling in Germany

Cycling holidays in Germany are super popular

Contents

Cycling in Germany – From Alpine climbs to coastal adventures

Germany is a true paradise for cyclists and gravel riders. From the steep climbs in the Bavarian Alps to the rolling landscapes of the Münsterland and the rugged gravel paths in the Harz, every region has something unique to offer. With an excellent network of cycling routes, a strong cycling culture, and roads ranging from smooth asphalt to challenging forest trails, Germany is the ultimate destination for anyone who loves taking long rides on two wheels.

Bavaria: Alpine Trails and Classic Cycling Adventures

Bavaria (Bayern), the largest state of Germany, offers a mix of challenging Alpine climbs and rolling routes through picturesque villages. Popular cycling areas include the Berchtesgadener Land, the region around Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the lakeside areas of the Chiemsee and Tegernsee. Here, climbs such as the Rossfeld Panoramastraße and the Kehlsteinstrasse offer plenty of fun for climbers. For those who prefer exploring the gravel paths, the Bavarian Forest offers endless possibilities.

Baden-Württemberg: The Black Forest and the Bodensee

Baden-Württemberg is home to the Black Forest, a region full of challenging climbs and endless gravel routes. Here you’ll find iconic climbs like the Kandel, the Schauinsland, and the Hornisgrinde. Along the Bodensee runs a flat, panoramic route ideal for long endurance rides. In the Heidelberg and Odenwald regions, you can combine strenuous climbs with fast descents through dense forests.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Cycling in the Eifel and the Münsterland

North Rhine-Westphalia offers both challenging climbs 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 stunning views over volcanic lakes. The Münsterland is 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 cycling routes in Germany.

Saxony and Thuringia: The Harz and the Erzgebirge

For those looking for a more rugged landscape, Saxony and Thuringia offer a mix of challenging climbs and peaceful gravel routes. The Harz, with its climb of the Brocken, is a favorite 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 is an absolute must for gravel riders.

Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein: Coastlines and Hills

Cyclists who love wind and vast landscapes can find their bliss 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 coasts in Schleswig-Holstein lie endless, flat roads with strong headwinds and views of the Wadden Sea.

Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate: Hillier and Historical

Hessen offers challenging routes through the Taunus Mountains, with climbs such as Feldberg and Großer Feldberg. In Rhineland-Palatinate lies the romantic Moezel Valley, where you can enjoy long, winding climbs along vineyards and historic castles. The Hunsrück and the Pfalz also offer a mix of challenging climbs and peaceful, rural roads.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Brandenburg: Endless Plains

For long, flat rides without much traffic, the eastern states are ideal. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern you can drive through the Mecklenburg Lakes, while in Brandenburg endless roads through vast forests and past historic villages run. The region around Berlin is ideal for cyclists who seek long, straight roads without elevation changes.

Germany: A cycling country for literally every cyclist

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 Bavarian Alps, explore the forests of the Harz Mountains, or seek endless plains in the north, Germany has it all. Thanks to excellent infrastructure and cyclist-friendly accommodations, this is a country where every cyclist feels at home.

Why you want to cycle in Germany

Germany is not only very close; cycling in Germany is also very diverse. You can make flat kilometers along the coast or in the 1000 Lakes area. It is also good and relatively flat cycling along the Rhine or the Moselle. You can also cycle through the hilly landscape in places like Munsterland, Sauerland North Rhine-Westphalia or further east in Saxony. The mountains also offer great opportunities. In the Harz, in the Black Forest and in Bavaria you can really climb very well.

One of the most popular destinations for Dutch people, about 3 hours‘ drive from Utrecht, is the Eifel. Here, many novice cyclists learn to climb well. It is also the region of the gravel event ’Highway to Hellenthal’. Another popular destination is the Sauerland, where you can do a lot of elevation gain. You can also ride gravel well here.

You can ride fantastic gravel roads all over Germany. Because of the many wooded areas, it really works everywhere. Across the border near Nijmegen is the Reichswald. At the border with the Czech Republic is the Saxon Switzerland, known from the Bohemian Border Bash. Also consider Baden-Württemberg and the Land of the 1000 Hills. Basically, you’re not in a bad place at all.

Germany is also perfect for a lot of high-altitude trails. Around Freiburg you’ll find the Schwarzwald, where you’ll find the Feldberg among other things. Further up in Bavaria, you’ll find lots of beautiful climbs near Garmisch Partenkirchen. And as mentioned earlier, the Harz has been a favorite for years.

In short: Germany is the perfect cycling destination close by.

What should you pay attention to?

Germany has a continental climate. That means that it can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Due to its relatively northern location, you can cycle well in many places in Germany between roughly March and October.

In the summer months, the mountain region around the Black Forest is very beautiful but relatively warm. The same applies to the regions in Bavaria. Although it is milder than southern Italy or Spain, it is still 30 degrees Celsius.

Then choose the destinations towards, for example, the Harz or Saxon Switzerland.

Germany has a lot of beautiful gravel paths and forest trails, but be careful of the local regulations. There has been a lot of fuss in Germany about sharing the paths with hikers and other road users. Always check the local regulations. In Germany, the rules are still really rules. So please follow them!

Germany has a special infrastructure where bike paths are sometimes very narrow, seem to run on the sidewalk, and where the car still reigns supreme in many places. So always be careful where you can cycle, use daytime lighting if you find that convenient, and of course always be friendly.

Events in Germany

Watch all 37 events →

Regions

Choose your region

Baden-Württemberg1 area · View →BavariaView →North Rhine-Westphalia1 area · View →Rhineland-PalatinateClimbing from the river to the high plateau: Moselle, Eifel, Hunsrück and Palatinate are all within a three to five-hour drive.View →Sachsen-AnhaltThe Harz Mountains with the Brocken, picturesque towns and the Elbe River: climbing and culture in Central Germany.1 area · View →ThuringiaView →

Stories

Driven in Germany

26 August 2026Explore the Harz in Benneckenstein: Cycling Destination Approved24 May 2026Four days of gravel in the Harz: this is what you want too2 March 2026MTB in Bavaria: 450km of new MTB trails in the FichtelgebirgeFebruary 12, 2026Border Crossing Route Teuto-Ems: Cycling Along Old Smuggler Trails Just Across the Border29 January 2026Cycling in the Harz in 2026 – the ultimate bucket list for road bike, gravel & MTB16 July 2025A Sustainable Adventure in Southern Germany at Landal Arber: Cycling through the Mountains around Zwiesel

All stories from Germany →

How do you get there?

• Flying: Fly to Frankfurt · Munich. Bring your own bike; book a place for your bike box in time.
• By train: Convenient stations: Cologne · Frankfurt · Munich.