6 dream tours: Unique cycling adventures
Six regions, nine fantastic tours: MYBIKE takes you on fascinating cycle routes in Germany and other European countries. Whether short or long, hilly or flat, nature or culture - there is something here for every cycling fan. Find the right one for you!
1 Luxembourg: Little Switzerland
Panoramic heights, secluded forests and rugged sandstone gorges: Luxembourg may be small - but it is big enough for many varied days of touring.
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg combines stark contrasts in a small area: here the metropolis of Luxembourg City with its prestigious buildings, lively old town and multicultural flair, there small villages, undulating plateaus and wild, dense forests full of bizarre rock formations, criss-crossed by deep gorges. A network of low-traffic side roads and signposted cycle paths offers many opportunities for day-long cycle tours. The cycle path network covers around 640 kilometres and is to be extended to 900 kilometres. We mainly explored the Mullerthal region in the east, which is characterised by gorges and cliffs - Mëllerdall in Luxembourgish.
The 200 square kilometre area between Echternach, Beaufort and Larochette owes its name to the many grain mills that once stood on the banks of the river Schwarze Ernz. The region is also known as "Luxembourg's Little Switzerland". This means: many climbs - some of them steep, but mostly short.
The GPS data for the cycle tour through Little Switzerland in Luxembourg can be found on the DK tour portal:
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2nd Lüneburg Heath: Bikeschnuckenweg
Once through the Lüneburg Heath! The best way to do this is via the Heidschnuckenweg, which connects the most beautiful heathland areas - actually as a hiking trail. But our author, always close to the trail, found a route by bike to explore the fascinating cultural landscape.
Where you can hike, you can also cycle, we thought when planning our cycle tour in the Lüneburg Heath. So we cycled as closely as possible along the Heidschnuckenweg, perhaps the most beautiful long-distance hiking trail in northern Germany - at times we even shared the route with hikers. The best thing about it: the route reliably leads through the most beautiful heathland. Because if you don't know where to find them, you might end up travelling through a landscape dominated by fields and forests without seeing a single specimen of the broom heather that blooms in August and September.
The GPS data for the cycle tour through the Lüneburg Heath can be found on the DK tour portal:
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3. high black forest: Querfeldwald
Lonely mountain roads, secluded forest trails, fine gravel paths. The gravel bike is the perfect vehicle for exploring the most remote nooks and crannies of the Upper Black Forest.
Water characterises the Black Forest. Since time immemorial. Somewhere it is always gurgling, bubbling and hissing: water threads its way through narrow valleys, has created gorges and gnawed through entire mountains. It lies there as still as the Feldsee. It gurgles gently over lovely mountain pastures. It sprays over slopes and gushes through jagged rock. And in the deep forests, it gushes quietly from between thick moss, growing into streams and eventually mighty rivers: The Rhine and Danube are fed by the pure springs of the Black Forest.
The plan for our bike tour on the last days off in late summer was also centred around water. The idea: with Gravelbike and tent from Freiburg right across the Upper Black Forest, on marvellous paths and always following the water wherever possible. Along wild rivers. Towards hidden waterfalls and secluded mountain lakes. The great thing is that you can stop every now and then to refresh yourself or simply quench your thirst at natural springs. Dip your hot feet in the cool water. Rinse away the sweat.
The GPS data for the gravel bike tour through the Black Forest can be found on the DK tour portal:
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4th Emilia Romagna: 2 x cycling pleasure in Italian
Who hasn't heard of the lively seaside resorts in Emilia-Romagna, such as Rimini or Riccione? But if you set off by bike to the hills of the picturesque hinterland of the northern Italian region, you will experience a different world, characterised by tranquillity, picturesque villages and historic castles and fortresses.
For German tourists, Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy is something like the epitome of an Italian holiday on the Adriatic. The region, which borders Lombardy to the north and Tuscany to the south, is synonymous with sunshine galore, endless beaches in the seaside resorts of Rimini, Riccione, Ravenna, Cattolica and Misano Adriatico and balmy summer nights that never seem to end. The hinterland provides a marvellous contrast: we explored the hilly area directly bordering the coastal region by bike from our hotel in Riccione - and found a sleepy paradise for cyclists!
GPS data for tour 1 through the hilly hinterland of Riccione
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GPS data Tour 2 to the Montefiore Conca fortress
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5th Sundgau: over gentle waves
The gently undulating hills of the French Sundgau region stretch between the Vosges and Jura mountains - ideal for relaxed tours on secluded roads and cycle paths.
Tour 1: Permanent wave riding
The "Sundgau permanent wave" is constantly up and down. The gently undulating hilly landscape becomes increasingly mountainous towards the south: gorge-like valleys and winding climbs await where the rolling hills of the Sundgau merge seamlessly into the rugged mountain ranges of the Alsatian Jura. The route mostly follows quiet side roads and cycle paths.
GPS data for Tour 1 in Sundgau can be found on the DK tour portal:
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Tour 2: To the Alsatian Jura
The hilly landscape of the Sundgau against the imposing backdrop of the Vosges is the perfect place to roll in. But after ten kilometres, it's time to get down to business: the ride up the 816-metre-high Glaserberg near Switzerland, one of the highest peaks in the Alsatian Jura, requires a lot of leg power or a powerful motor. The rapid descent to the border river Lucelle is followed by two more crisp ramps before we slowly roll out at the end. The tour runs along quiet roads and cycle paths.
GPS data for tour 2 in Sundgau:
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6th Chiemgau: white-blue cycling delicacy
Colourful, fragrant meadows, castles, rustic beer gardens and bathing beaches - that's what awaits you on the route through the Chiemgau Alps, starting and finishing in Prien am Chiemsee.
Stage 1: Lake and mountains
From Prien railway station down to the lake! Directly along the riverside cycle path to Felden, over the A8 motorway, past the Förchensee lake through the Rottauer Filz - always with a view of the mighty Hochfelln and the Kampenwand - via Rottau to Marquartstein. Cycle along the Achental cycle path parallel to the river to Schleching. Continue across the Tyrolean border to Klobenstein and via Kössen in Austria back to Reit im Winkl in Bavaria.
Stage 2: Mountains and lake
From Reit im Winkl on the Mozart cycle path parallel to the German Alpine Road to Seegatterl and on an enchanting forest path with good gravel to the lake trilogy (Weit-, Mitter-, Lödensee). Past the Chiemgau Arena to Laubau, on to Ruhpolding and Siegsdorf. Follow the Traun along the shady banks to Traunstein with its beautiful market square and continue to Chieming back to the shores of Lake Chiemsee. Stay by the lake and continue to Seebruck, always with the best panoramic views, then directly on the Via Julia along the lake via Gstadt and Rimsting to Prien.
GPS data for the cycle tour through the Chiemgau Alps:
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Tours in the north: 6 tours on the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts
Seashore, dykes, dune landscape - MYBIKE has six tours for you that run on or near the North Sea or Baltic Sea. In Denmark and the Wesermarsch region of Lower Saxony, you will also cross the Wadden Sea. The Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula also offers a diverse natural landscape.
1st Rømø and Fanø: Island hopping by bike in the Danish Wadden Sea
On Rømø and Fanø on the North Sea in the Danish part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, the route is mostly flat through dune and heathland landscapes - and along kilometres of beaches right by the water.
Tour 1: from Rømø to Ribe
From Westerland, follow the signposted cycle routes to List on Sylt (25.1 km). From there, take the ferry to Havneby on Rømø. There you cycle on the Panorama Route 402 across the island; through forest, heath and dune landscape and finally from Lakolk on the west coast back to the mudflats. At the time of our journey, the dyke in the north was being repaired. According to the Rømø tourist information centre, it should be passable again in 2023. After the nine kilometres or so over the Rømødæmningen to the mainland, we head north along the coast of the Wadden Sea. The path with extremely rough and sharp gravel a little further inland is signposted as the North Sea Coast Cycle Route (Vestkystvej 1) - but there is a much better route directly below the dyke. At Vester Vested, the route heads inland to Ribe.
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Tour 2: from Ribe to Fanø
On small, low-traffic country roads (signposted as the North Sea coastal cycle path with the number 1), you cycle through fields and unspectacular villages to the dyke, from there northwards to Esbjerg. Take the ferry across to Fanø. There the route runs parallel to the road to Fanø Bad and from there along the North Sea beach. You can initially choose between a track along the imposing dunes or almost directly by the water. The sand is completely compacted; it's almost like rolling on tarmac. After a good ten kilometres, you reach Sønderho with its picturesque little houses. Return towards the ferry either completely on the newly made cycle path along the country road or turn off again towards the mudflats; the paths there are sometimes adventurous and strenuous because they are sandy.
GPS data stage 1 to the ferry:
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GPS data stage 2 from Fahre in Fanø:
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2. Fischland-Darß-Zingst
Once you have left the crowded sea dyke at Zingst behind you, you can go on fantastic tours through a diverse landscape on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula.
Tour 1: Beaches, bays and culture
The start is at the Kurhaus in Zingst, on the 1a tarmac sea dyke towards Prerow and from there through the forest. A detour to the Darßer Ort lighthouse; if you have the time and inclination, go for a swim on the west beach or pay a visit to the Natureum. From Ahrenshoop on Fischland, the route follows a kind of causeway along the Bodden back to the Darß, through the pretty village of Born with its numerous original Darß doors to Wieck. Small paths branch off again and again, leading to cosy spots directly on the Bodden. From Wieck, you cycle back to Zingst via Prerow on a section of the Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route.
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Tour 2: Where the cranes rest
From Kurhaus Zingst in an easterly direction, past the Sundische Wiese castle to the Pramort, the viewpoint on FDZ when the cranes arrive. If you want to enjoy the view from the Hohe Düne viewing platform, you have to leave your bike and walk two kilometres, as the area is part of the core zone of the national park. On the way back, you turn off at the Sundische Wiese
towards the Bodden, pass Zingst harbour and continue towards Barth. From there, take the ferry back to Zingst. Please note: last trip in the main season at 4.30 pm, otherwise 4 pm.
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3. Wesermarsch: Over the dykes to the North Sea
You can get to know the cycle path network in the Wesermarsch, a charming region in the north of Lower Saxony, with these two tours.
Tour 1: Around the Jade Bay
The Jade Bay is part of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park, which, together with other national parks in the north, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route, which was opened in 2015, leads from Eckwarderhörne as close as possible to the coastline around the bay to Wilhelmshaven - or vice versa. In addition to the Wesermarsch, cyclists also cross the district of Friesland and get to know the diversity of this coastal region, such as geological phenomena, rare animal and plant species, mud and sand flats, dykes and harbour towns. Five environmental periscopes, four of which were set up in 2015, in Eckwarderhörne, Sehestedt at Varel harbour and in Dangast and Cäciliengroden invite you to take a look at the most important landmarks of the Jade Bay shore unobstructed across the wide expanse of mudflats and water.
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Tour 2: Mill tour Stadland
The Stadland region between the western banks of the Weser and the Jade Bay offers a lush green landscape with trees characteristically bent by the wind. The Seefeld Mill, built in 1876 not far from the coast of the Jade Bay, is now a nationally renowned cultural centre. The starting point is the market square in the small Weser village of Rodenkirchen, from where the route follows quiet farm tracks first westwards and then northwards towards Seefeld. The view is almost endless. Cyclists pass large agricultural businesses as well as small farms - and the entire tour is accompanied by views of huge wind turbines, which have also left their mark on the area.
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Wine tours: 7 times pure enjoyment in Austria, Germany and South Tyrol
On the trail of the grape juice: MYBIKE presents seven circular tours in wine-growing regions in Germany, Austria and South Tyrol. All of them are perfect for a day full of experiences centred around wine - and can also be the impetus for further explorations in the regions, as they all have excellent infrastructure for cyclists.
1st Rheinhessen: Amiche Tour
Located in Rhineland-Palatinate, Rheinhessen is Germany's largest wine-growing region with over 25,000 hectares of vineyards. However, the name of our tour of choice has nothing to do with wine. "Amiche" refers to the fact that the route from Bodenheim, around 15 kilometres south of Mainz, leads in part along the former railway line with the nickname "Amiche" (for Annemarie), which ran to Alzey, a further 40 kilometres to the south.
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2nd Volkacher Mainschleife
Nestled between the Spessart, Rhön and Tauber valleys, most of the Franconian wine country meanders along the Main, which runs west-eastwards in sometimes sharp bends. Wine is grown here on around 6,300 hectares, the leading variety being Silvaner. The largest cities are Würzburg and Schweinfurt, but there are also attractive points along the route, especially in the smaller towns and certain places in the region, many of which are located in the vineyards; the most beautiful ones bear the "terroir f" seal. Cyclists can reach one such spot on the Volkacher Mainschleife, which starts at the caravan park near the new Main bridge, via the first of two moderate climbs at Vogelsburg Castle, where a wide view of the Mainschleife awaits.
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3rd wine tour in the Austrian Weinviertel
The Weinviertel in the north-east of Lower Austria is the largest wine-growing region in the Alpine republic (approx. 15,800 hectares) and can be best experienced from the saddle with its network of cycle paths covering around 2,000 kilometres. There are also the occasional climbs - including on our suggested tour - but the overall profile is moderate. It starts in the north near the Czech Republic at the pretty main square of Retz, then one highlight follows the next. Be it the Retzer Erlebniskeller, Austria's largest historic wine cellar, or some of the typical cellar alleys: Here you can literally immerse yourself in the history of grape harvesting, production and storage.
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4. wine, land, river in the Heilbronn region
Lauffen am Neckar is the birthplace of Friedrich Hölderlin (1770-1843), whose poem, considered by many to be the most important, also features the juice of the vine in its title: "Bread and Wine" is the title of the 160-verse work. If you like, you can combine Hölderlin, wine and cycling on this signposted N1 tour through the heart of Württemberg's wine-growing region, as the poet's birthplace is home to a museum - and there are plenty of impressions of wine and wine-growing, including tastings, along the way. A northern and a southern loop branch off from Lauffen railway station as a junction.
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5th Dresden Elbland
With 493 hectares of vineyards, Saxony is the smallest wine-growing region in Germany, but according to the German Wine Institute, "top quality wines are produced here". The regional wine culture can be experienced along the Saxon Wine Route, which was opened in 1992 and stretches for around 60 kilometres from Pirna north-east via Dresden and Meissen, the "cradle of Saxon viticulture", to Diesbar-Seulitz. The proposed circular tour covers part of this route, starting and finishing at the Zentralgasthof inn in Weinböhla. Shortly after the start, cyclists pass the Ratsweinberg and the Königlicher Weinberg. Numerous wineries invite you to stop off and sample the Saxon wine, which is a rarity. Most of the wine grown here is white (approx. 82%); Müller-Thurgau, Riesling (12.6%) and Pinot Blanc (12.4%) are the most common grape varieties. Part of the route leads along the Elbe cycle path to Meißen. From there, the route heads eastwards back to Weinböhla.
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6 South Tyrol: Pinot Blanc and Lake Kaltern
Not far from Lake Kaltern and around 20 kilometres south of Bolzano in front of the "Erste + Neue" winery, this short but challenging route starts in South Tyrol's Adige Valley, running west of the river. Surrounded by wooded mountain massifs towering over 2,000 metres high, the South Tyrolean Wine Road crosses the largest wine-growing region in South Tyrol, Eppan. This is known above all for its Pinot Blanc. However, around 20 different grape varieties are cultivated on a total of 941 hectares: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon, Müller-Thurgau, as well as the red wine varieties Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Merlot. The route passes through pretty little wine villages and, after starting in a north-easterly direction, the two Montiggl lakes lie along the way. In Kaltern, both the lake, where the vineyards reach right up to the shore, and the town centre with its picturesque market square and wine-influenced townscape are equally enticing. A total of 756 hectares of vines are cultivated in the municipality of Kaltern, almost equally divided between red and white varieties.
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7th Burgenland: Red wine cycle path
The Burgenland in the east of Austria is one of the country's best-known wine-growing regions. We have chosen a tour in central Burgenland, where the red wine variety Blaufränkisch is predominantly grown. Despite a few climbs, the route through the gently undulating landscape is easy to cycle and, apart from a small section of forest path, runs on tarmac country and local roads. Exception: At "Bienendorf" near Deutschkreutz there is a cycle path with 20 steps where you unfortunately have to carry your bike. The route leads from the starting point of Deutschkreutz on the Hungarian border partly through the idyllic vineyards of the region with the municipalities of Raiding, Horitschon and Neckenmarkt. There are some wonderful views, for example into the Goldbachtal valley before the turn-off towards Neckenmarkt or at the end point of the "Weißer Weg", an ascending, shrub-covered former hollow path, where you have a wide view. Along the way, there are numerous opportunities to sample regional wines at winegrowers and wine bars.
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Eifel railway line cycle paths: like on rails
In the cross-border low mountain region of the Eifel, several cycle paths run completely or partially along former Railway lines. They combine dreamlike landscape impressions with the flair of bygone times and are usually ideal for families thanks to their predominantly flat and asphalted routes. MYBIKE has picked out the six most beautiful ones. You can find the GPS data in our tour portal:
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The special issue of RADREISEN with all the information about the tour tips is available in the Delius Klasing Online Shop available.
Barbara Merz-Weigandt
Editor-in-Chief
