Stand-up paddling and cycling are similar in some respects and complement each other like yin and yang. So it's not surprising that more and more athletes enjoy doing both. On a board, just like on a bike, you can enjoy the harmonious movement as well as the comparatively fast progress and the opportunity to linger in nature away from the beaten track. Paddling works completely different muscle groups than cycling, which can also be a welcome counterbalance. When cycling, the upper body and arms are sometimes somewhat neglected, but a strong torso also cycles better, especially with a load on the back. While you paddle at a leisurely pace and enjoy the peace and quiet on the lake, you are unconsciously doing something good for your body and preparing it for the next tour on wheels.
Together with the touring professionals from SUP Magazine we have selected five travel and weekend destinations where you can switch effortlessly between paddle and pedal. The spectrum ranges from cycling in the flat Alte Land and paddling on the tranquil Dove Elbe in Hamburg to the varied and surprising Ruhr region, then two destinations with typical Bavarian flair and more challenging routes on Lake Millstätter See in Carinthia. But even there, there is an attractive alternative for leisure paddlers and cyclists. For each destination, a cycle tour with a detailed route description and GPX data is linked in the info box, as well as a complete tour guide for the recommended paddling route.
1. lake Millstätter See: sometimes mild, sometimes wild
The region around Lake Millstatt offers tranquil lakes and well-maintained cycle paths for connoisseurs, but also challenging MTB trails and a sometimes very fast-flowing river.
The Nockberge mountains in the background attract mountain bikers with numerous tours and a smooth flow country trail. The Drau cycle path is famous for cycling tours, and we choose a 46.9 kilometre circular tour from Millstatt, which runs along it for a good stretch. With an elevation gain of 460 metres, the tour not only follows the river, but also rewards you with great views of the Drau Valley and Lake Millstatt below the Weißwände and Alpenbühel. The clever route combines a "half lake circuit", which is shortened by taking the ferry across the lake, with a section into the hinterland. In between, you can take a look at the river from time to time.
If you want to embark on a paddling adventure on the Drau, you need not fear any surprises. Because the river - at least when the flow is high - really gets going at our entry point in Spittal, then it goes downstream like a magic carpet and the impressive, flanking mountain ranges rush past (photo below right). Small waves could even throw a paddler off. At normal water levels, however, the river already exudes calmness at the entry point and does not pose a major challenge even for SUP beginners. If you still feel safer with a guide, book a guided tour (see info box). The second section is more leisurely, with half of the ten-kilometre stage to Ferndorf paddled by yourself.
Lake Millstätter See is ideal for leisurely paddling. On the eastern shore, there are many paid but well-maintained lidos and a few public access points. Take a SUP for a sightseeing tour in front of the village, moor for a drink at Cape 4613, a restaurant terrace overlooking the lake, or cross the lake to the wooded eastern shore. Romantics can book a rowing boat for an exclusive trip for two - with a breakfast basket in a reserved bay.
Information for cycling and SUP on Lake Millstatt
General travel information: for the Millstätter See, Bad Kleinkirchheim and Nockberge region can be found on the official tourism portal seeundberg.at
SUP hireIn Millstatt you will find countless offers, even SUP machines.
Bike hire stations: can be found at seeundberg.at/radfahren
Suggestions for SUP tours: draupaddelweg.com
SUP & Bike at the neighbouring Brennsee (tours and hire): sportsschool.at
SUP tip: Paddle tour on the Drau; here you can find the Detailed tour description with helpful tips
Bike tip: 46.9 kilometre cycle tour "From the lake to the Drau - always along the water"; available on the DK tour portal:
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2nd Hamburg: Elbvergnügen
Cycling around the Elbe or paddling on the Dove Elbe - variety is guaranteed. Fruit growing and shipping, the proximity to the Elbe and the city of Hamburg characterise the Alte Land to the west of the city. Between the maritime landscape, idyllic half-timbered houses and orchards, even the untrained can manage the flat but varied 49.3 kilometre cycle route, on which the Elbe is crossed twice by ferry. In Jork, in the centre of Europe's largest fruit-growing region, you can marvel at the beautiful old half-timbered houses with their magnificent portals (Altländer Tore) along the way.
The Dove Elbe branch of the Elbe is a great place to paddle - even in high season you can avoid the crowds on the Alster: a very quiet two to three hour paddle through some idyllic countryside, and all within Hamburg city limits.
Info for bike and SUP in Hamburg
General travelling tips: for Hamburg and the Alte Land can be found at tourismus-altesland.de
SUP hire: Rental only in Hamburg, not on the Dove Elbe
Bike hire stations can be found on the website altesland-entdecken.de
SUP tip: SUP tour on the Dove Elbe. Here is the detailed tour report SUP & The City for Hamburg and the Dove Elbe
Bike tip: 49.3 kilometre cycle tour "Through the three miles in the Altes Land"; in the DK tour portal:
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3 Ruhr area: city, country, river
The Ruhr region is generally known for its sport, culture and industrial museums. But where the Ruhr marks the border with the Bergisches Land, you can still experience small adventures with great recreational value by bike and SUP.
On the southern edge of the Ruhr region, you can actively experience structural change by bike or canoe. The circular cycle route "From Ruhr to Ruhr" (info box) starts at the historic Henrichshütte and then follows sections of the Glückauf route. Where coal wagons once rumbled over the rails, hundreds of cyclists now ride every day between wooded areas and open landscapes with agricultural use - both commuters in a hurry and relaxed leisure cyclists. Over the entire 57-kilometre circuit, 460 metres in altitude have to be covered, although the gradients are predominantly gentle. From the Ruhr Valley, the route leads up towards Bergisches Land. You might not expect the gently rolling landscape here, but if you look closely, you will also discover traces of the industrial past. These relics date back to the early days of Ruhr mining, which began in the south and spread further north over the centuries. Before reaching the Kemnader reservoir, the Hardenstein ferry takes you across the river. Cyclists should also make time for the Henrichshütte, as there is a lot to learn about the steel industry on the Ruhr in the exhibition halls and the oldest preserved blast furnace can be climbed in a lift.
For paddling enthusiasts, the Ruhr between Hagen and Duisburg, where it flows quietly through seemingly unspoilt landscapes, sometimes through the middle of the city, sometimes past industrial plants, and connects several reservoirs, offers four great day stages.
The Kemnader reservoir is perfectly located on the circular cycle route for a short relaxing lap on the SUP. The lake was created in the 1970s and is now a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. If you would like to hire a bike, you can also start the tour at the Kemnader reservoir at the Gibraltar colliery directly at the bike and SUP hire centre.
Information for cycling and SUP in the Ruhr region
General information: for trips to the Ruhr area are available from the tourist office at ruhr-tourismus.de Overnight tip: There is a conveniently located caravan site directly at the Henrichshütte, a campsite at the Hattinger Wehr.
Hire SUP boards: at the windsurfing and stand up paddle school at the Kemnader reservoir: westufer-kemnade.de
Bike hire stations can be found on the website kemnadersee.de
SUP tip: Tour on the Ruhr; Here you can find the detailed tour description
Bike tip: 57 kilometre circular cycle route "From Ruhr to Ruhr"; in the DK tour portal:
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4th Chiemsee: Bavaria's jewel
Bavarian flair, varied cycle routes and the best spots for enjoyable SUP tours - Lake Chiemsee fascinates every biker and paddler.
The best way to explore the Chiemsee, known as the "Bavarian Sea", by bike is on the Chiemsee circular trail (approx. 53 km). Over many kilometres, it leads from one highlight to the next close to the shore. The route alternates between gravel and tarmac sections. Gravel bikers, touring cyclists and mountain bikers will find the perfect tour here. Near Gstadt, bikers can enjoy an unforgettable view over the Fraueninsel to the Chiemgau mountains with the striking Kampenwand. In the tourist centre of Prien, you can catch a glimpse of the Chiemsee steam railway from 1887 and the sandy beach of the beach bar in Übersee is perfect for a sundowner (or drink).
Paddling to the fishmonger on a SUP board - a short tour from Gstadt to Fraueninsel is a worthwhile destination. After around 1.7 kilometres, you reach the island, which is only 15.5 hectares in size. The eastern side is dominated by handicrafts and boatyards. If you want to land and try a fish speciality, land on the west side directly in the island fishermen's harbour or around the old monastery. From the Schraml bathing area in Prien, it is easy to paddle to the island of Herrenchiemsee. If you head for the Schlosskanal, you can enjoy the view of the New Palace built by Ludwig II. The adrenaline rushes through the veins of paddlers as they paddle down the Alz from the Chiemsee. The journey is leisurely as far as Truchtlaching, from where only experienced river paddlers should tackle the rest of the stage to Altenmark: After the SUP slide, a few rapids and wild passages await.
Information for bike and SUP on Lake Chiemsee
General travel information: for a holiday on Lake Chiemsee are available from the tourist office: chiemsee-alpenland.de
SUP hire (selection): A large selection of rental boards are available from the sup-club-chiemsee.de and chiemsee-surfschool-gstadt.de
Bike hire stations can be found under: bike-hire-chiemsee.com and chiemsee-kaufmann.de
SUP tip: Tour on the Alz. Click here for the detailed tour description
Bike tip: 53 kilometres "By bike around Lake Chiemsee and the Hacken and Rottauer Filz nature reserve"; in the DK tour portal:
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5th Ammersee: Along the Amper
Lake Ammersee is a favourite excursion destination for many Munich residents. Here you will find two alternative tours for biking and SUP nearby, which are even less frequented.
The 45-kilometre cycle tour north-west of Lake Ammersee starts and ends in Fürstenfeldbruck. The approximately 165 metres of elevation gain are somewhat challenging, but easy to manage. The scenic highlights include the Amper floodplains, the Ampermoos and the Rothschwaiger Forst. The crowning glory is the monastery area in Fürstenfeldbruck with its baroque monastery church. There you can cool your feet in the Amper Canal and then recharge your batteries in one of the two restaurants. At the start, you cycle through the Amper floodplains with their Leiten forests.
You then reach the picturesque village of Schöngeising and take a detour to the idyllic Jexhof farm museum, where the beer garden invites you to take a break. The route continues across the Amper in Grafrath, through the Ampermoos to the south, to the turning point in Türkenfeld. From here, the route leads back through fields and forests. The other stops are the village of Landsberied, the forest adventure trail in Rothschwaiger Forst and Fürstenfeld Monastery. Two thirds of the route is on tarmac, the rest on quiet gravel paths. The tour can be extended with a loop to the northern shore of Lake Ammersee - don't forget your swimming gear!
The 21-kilometre river tour on the Amper from Ammersee to Fürstenfeldbruck is a fun and humid alternative. From Stegen am Ammersee, the route briefly takes you under the motorway in a rather dreary manner, then into secluded nature: through the Ampermoos with bizarre dead tree formations, mostly through landscape and nature reserves. After about half the route, the more adventurous will tackle the riverbed ramp, but this can be avoided on land. At the end of the tour is the Amper-Oase indoor and outdoor swimming pool, and there is also a caravan park.
Information for bike and SUP on Lake Ammersee
General information: for holidaymakers are available from the tourist office: bayregio-ammersee.de
SUP hire: You can hire boards from the Müller SUP and surf school in Eching am Ammersee, skischulemueller.de/summer-1/
Overnight tip: There is a campervan site in Fürstenfeldbruck at the end of the SUP tour
SUP tip: Tour from Ammersee to Fürstenfeldbruck. Click here for the detailed tour description
Bike tip: 45 kilometre cycle tour " Water and Power"; in the DK tour portal:
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That's how it works! A little paddling lesson for cyclists
German champion Ole Schwarz reveals the most important basics for relaxed and efficient paddling. With a correctly adjusted paddle and the most important tips on paddling technique, you'll be ready for your next SUP tour.
The paddle basics actually sound quite easy: the paddle is inserted far forward with the lower arm stretched out, but without tensing up. The blade must be completely immersed in the water and then a movement follows as if you were pulling yourself forwards on the paddle. Use the large lateral back muscles and also the abdominal muscles. When the paddle passes your feet, lift it out of the water again with a slight twist of the lower wrist and start again. However, there are a few things to bear in mind before setting off: Firstly, a good weather forecast is even more important for water sports than for cycling tours. Particularly strong winds can make a return journey impossible.
Tip: Ideally, you should start upwind in a light breeze and benefit from the extra push from behind on the way home. The leash between the paddler and the board ensures that you are not separated from the board after a fall, even in wind and waves. A leash is taboo on flowing water with possible obstacles on the bank such as undergrowth, branches or rocks: the risk of getting caught and not being able to free yourself is too great. However, SUP is an easy and safe sport, especially in a group and close to the shore.
The right board
The two most important board groups, all-round (left) and touring (right), can be easily identified by their length and width. All-round boards for the whole family and paddling fun around the swimming area are short (10'2" to 11'2") and therefore manoeuvrable. All-rounders are usually around 32 or 33 inches wide. Particularly stable models can also be up to 34 inches wide. Touring boards for longer trips of an hour or more are between 11'6" and 12'6" long and around 30 inches (sporty and fast for lighter or more experienced paddlers) to 33 inches (stable and stable) wide. The longer touring boards hold their course more stably, which requires fewer side changes, and can be paddled a little faster.
