International Cyclist - Bicycle Touring, Travel, Reviews and Support

Other Articles

Brenner Pass Across the Alps by Bicycle. A route from Innsbruck across the pass (1370 meters) and into South Tyrol (Italy)

Ruhr Valley Cycle Route - A 250-kilometer route down the Ruhr Valley to the Rhine

Norway - Two-thousand kilometers by bicycle, from Trondheim to Europe's northern-most point, the North Cape. Tunnels, camping, grocery shopping, ferries and other information.

German Cycling Route Planners

Several German states operate websites that show all cycling routes that state and provide a route planner that recommends a route connecting two or more locations.

Hessen English-language website with lots of information about cycling in Germany (for example, an English explanation of German traffic regulations that apply to cyclists). The Route Planner uses the same software as the NRW Route Planner.

Bavaria - A useful and easy-to-use website that lists more than 115 cycling routes in Bavaria. Cycle Paths opens the list of cycling paths. Clicking on the name of a route opens a window that shows the route on a map, the route's total length, a graphic depiction of elevation changes, and links to download GPS tracks for the route. Under Map Order you can order a free map that has an overview of all bicycle routes in Bavaria. The Routing button opens the route-planner.

Lower Saxony In German only and without a route planner, but does have information on individual cycling routes.

North Rhine-Westphalia - NRW calls itself Germany's Number One state for cycling, with some 7,780 kilometers of cycling paths. An English-language Brochure (PDF) provides an overview. The Route Planner is available in English and also offers GPS tracks for calculated routes.

Rhineland-Palatinate English-language website with information on 12 long-distance cycling routes and a route planner.

Schleswig-Holstein English-language website (with some gaps) that offers useful descriptions of long-distance routes in Germany's northern-most state.

Bett und Bike (Bed and Bike) is a service of the ADFC that lists bicycle-friendly accommodations throughout Germany. In German, with an English explanation on how to use the site.

Other Links

www.cycletourer.co.uk is an attractive website maintained by two experienced cycle tourers. Includes much useful and detailed information about cycle touring in general and touring in many European countries.

Bicycling through Germany on Europe's largest and densest Cyling Routes Network

On the Lahn River Valley Cycle Route near Marburg

A sign along the Lahntalradweg, a 245-km bicycle route along the Lahn River in western Germany.

The Lahn Valley Bicycle Route

Most bicycle tourists have heard of the Danube River Cycle Trail, or know that bicycle trails follow both sides of the Rhine for almost its entire length. But Germany also has hundreds of other cycling routes and trails that are less known but just as attractive and form a dense network that connect the entire country.

The Lahn River Valley Cycle Route is one such route. It runs 245 kilometers, from the Lahn´s source in the Rhenish Slate Mountains to its confluence with the Rhine. It follows dedicated paved cycling paths or minor country roads with very little traffic. It is well-marked and easy to follow, earning four out of five stars in the German Cycling Club´s rating system. Along the way, the Lahntalradweg passes through typical German landscapes of farmland, hills and forests and the historic old cities of Marburg, Wetzlar, Weilburg, and Limburg.

The Lahntalradweg also connects with a number of other interesting long-distance cycling routes. They include the Rhine cycle route (1200 kilometers from eastern Switzerland to Rotterdam) and the 800 kilometer Limes Cycle Route (from the Rhein to the Danube, along the ancient fortifications that marked the Roman Empire´s northern frontier two-thousand years ago), and many other regional and local cycling paths.

Germany´s long-distance cycling paths are just part of dense and highly-developed cycling infrastructure. All communities have networks of dedicated cycling lanes. Bicyclists can safely and legally ride right up to the main terminal of any major German airport.

The national rairoad, Deutsche Bahn, transports bicycles on all regional trains (1-day ticket for 4.50 euros). Every town has a competent bike shop. Hotels and inns know cyclists and have protected spaces for bicycles.

Other Articles Brenner Pass Across the Alps by Bicycle. A route from Innsbruck across the pass (1370 meters) and into South Tyrol (Italy) Ruhr Valley Cycle Route - A 250-kilometer route down the Ruhr Valley to the Rhine Norway - Two-thousand kilometers by bicycle, from Trondheim to Europe's northern-most point, the North Cape. Tunnels, camping, grocery shopping, ferries and other information. German Cycling Route Planners Several German states operate websites that show all cycling routes that state and provide a route planner that recommends a route connecting two or more locations. Hessen English-language website with lots of information about cycling in Germany (for example, an English explanation of German traffic regulations that apply to cyclists). The Route Planner uses the same software as the NRW Route Planner. Bavaria - A useful and easy-to-use website that lists more than 115 cycling routes in Bavaria. Cycle Paths opens the list of cycling paths. Clicking on the name of a route opens a window that shows the route on a map, the route's total length, a graphic depiction of elevation changes, and links to download GPS tracks for the route. Under Map Order you can order a free map that has an overview of all bicycle routes in Bavaria. The Routing button opens the route-planner. Lower Saxony In German only and without a route planner, but does have information on individual cycling routes. North Rhine-Westphalia - NRW calls itself Germany's Number One state for cycling, with some 7,780 kilometers of cycling paths. An English-language Brochure (PDF) provides an overview. The Route Planner is available in English and also offers GPS tracks for calculated routes. Rhineland-Palatinate English-language website with information on 12 long-distance cycling routes and a route planner. Schleswig-Holstein English-language website (with some gaps) that offers useful descriptions of long-distance routes in Germany's northern-most state. Bett und Bike (Bed and Bike) is a service of the ADFC that lists bicycle-friendly accommodations throughout Germany. In German, with an English explanation on how to use the site. Other Links www.cycletourer.co.uk is an attractive website maintained by two experienced cycle tourers. Includes much useful and detailed information about cycle touring in general and touring in many European countries.		Bicycling through Germany on Europe's largest and densest Cyling Routes Network A sign along the Lahntalradweg, a 245-km bicycle route along the Lahn River in western Germany. The Lahn Valley Bicycle Route Most bicycle tourists have heard of the Danube River Cycle Trail, or know that bicycle trails follow both sides of the Rhine for almost its entire length. But Germany also has hundreds of other cycling routes and trails that are less known but just as attractive and form a dense network that connect the entire country. The Lahn River Valley Cycle Route is one such route. It runs 245 kilometers, from the Lahn´s source in the Rhenish Slate Mountains to its confluence with the Rhine. It follows dedicated paved cycling paths or minor country roads with very little traffic. It is well-marked and easy to follow, earning four out of five stars in the German Cycling Club´s rating system. Along the way, the Lahntalradweg passes through typical German landscapes of farmland, hills and forests and the historic old cities of Marburg, Wetzlar, Weilburg, and Limburg. The Lahntalradweg also connects with a number of other interesting long-distance cycling routes. They include the Rhine cycle route (1200 kilometers from eastern Switzerland to Rotterdam) and the 800 kilometer Limes Cycle Route (from the Rhein to the Danube, along the ancient fortifications that marked the Roman Empire´s northern frontier two-thousand years ago), and many other regional and local cycling paths. Germany´s long-distance cycling paths are just part of dense and highly-developed cycling infrastructure. All communities have networks of dedicated cycling lanes. Bicyclists can safely and legally ride right up to the main terminal of any major German airport. The national rairoad, Deutsche Bahn, transports bicycles on all regional trains (1-day ticket for 4.50 euros). Every town has a competent bike shop. Hotels and inns know cyclists and have protected spaces for bicycles.