Football World Cup and gravel adventure: Chain on the right, Germany ahead

From Munich via Leipzig to Berlin: this epic gravel tour combines 700 kilometres of the finest gravel with the hopefully thrilling World Cup group matches of the German national football team. A guide for real football and cycling fans.

There are times in the life of a passionate cyclist when priorities have to be set. For example, in the summer of 2026, when the round has to go into the square. But why choose between the World Cup on big screens and an extended gravel tour when you can combine the two in an epic cycling adventure?

Our mission: a gravel tour from Munich via Leipzig to Berlin, from one public viewing highlight to the next - nine stages, three public viewings of the German group matches, garnished with cycling culture intermezzi. So, strap on your panniers and pump up your tyres to 3 bar: here is the ultimate guide to the trans-German World Cup gravel track.

Prologue: Warming up on the Isar and the spirit of 1974

• Location: Munich
• Date: 13/14 June
• Opponent on 14 June, 7 pm: Germany-Curaçao

An opponent that sounds like a refreshing summer liqueur - and will hopefully be just as easy to swallow in terms of play. We will be travelling to Munich on 13 June. Why? Because we are treating ourselves to the luxury of a real day of culture before the gravel track calls. Our compulsory programme takes us straight to the transport centre of the Deutsches Museum on Theresienhöhe (Hall III). Here, the special section pays homage to the cult of the bicycle.

On 14 June, we'll roll up to the public viewing in the Olympiapark. Against a backdrop steeped in history, the DFB team will crush the Caribbean outsiders Curaçao from 7pm. Our prediction: a relaxed 4:0 to kick things off, the national euphoria batteries are full. We're already dreaming of Bern and Belo Horizonte, even though we're only in Munich.

Part 1: Bavarian-Saxon Gravel Traverse (Munich - Leipzig)

• Time slot: 15 June to 19 June (5 driving days, arrival in Leipzig on 19 June)
• Distance: approx. 490 kilometres (a sporty but feasible 98 kilometres per day)

Stage 1: Munich - Ingolstadt (the Isar-Danube route)

We leave the chic behind us and follow the Isar downstream before heading through the hilly hop country of the Hallertau. Gravel factor: fantastic, firm river gravel.

• Worth seeing: The baroque Scheyern Monastery - ideal for a quick isotonic monastery beer
• Bikepacking tip: Natural campsite directly on the Danube near Ingolstadt

Stage 2: Ingolstadt - Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz (in the heart of the Altmühltal)

We dive deep into the Mecca of German gravel: the Altmühltal. The kilometres upstream fly past imposing Jura rock formations before we switch to the historic Ludwig Canal.

• Worth seeing: Kipfenberg Castle and the historic wooden canal locks
• Bikepacking tip: Bivouac on the designated sites directly on the canal

Stage 3: Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz - Pottenstein (Franconian Switzerland)

No more flat. Franconian Switzerland challenges your thighs. Tough climbs, but rewarded with the finest forest and woodland paths through dense spruce forests.

• Worth seeing: The Devil's Cave near Pottenstein
• Bikepacking tip: Bärenschlucht campsite - wild, rocky, beautiful

Stage 4: Pottenstein - Hof (via the Fichtelgebirge mountains))

The rough stage towards the Saxon border. We gravelled over the foothills of the Fichtelgebirge. The roads are challenging, the pulse is high, the anticipation of Saxony is growing.

• Worth seeing: The Saale spring near Zell
• Bikepacking tip: Campsite at the Untreusee near Hof. Perfect for washing off the dust of the Franconian trails

Stage 5: Hof - Leipzig (the final spurt through Vogtland)

Through the undulating Vogtland and past the huge reservoirs, we hurtle into Leipzig at low speed. In the late afternoon of 19 June, we roll into the city of heroes. Our legs are burning, but the timing is absolutely world-class. We have about 24 hours for culture, regeneration and preparation for the football festival part 2.

The Leipzig stop: Gose beer, muscle wellness and the Ivory Coast

• Location: Leipzig
• Break day: 20 June (complete day without cycling stage!)
• Game: 20 June, 22:00: Germany-Ivory Coast

So 20 June is all about regeneration and culture. We get a good night's sleep, nurse our gravel abrasions and then devote ourselves to the cycling culture must-do: a trip to the legendary Alfred-Rosch-Radrennbahn in Kleinzschocher for a dose of track cycling nostalgia, followed by an isotonic cold drink at the Rad Tanke, the most iconic former petrol station in the east of Leipzig. For an even more relaxed experience, head to the Sachsenbrücke for some bike and people-watching.

In the evening, the screen on Richard-Wagner-Platz will be glowing. At 22:00, the Ivory Coast invites you to dance. A completely different calibre than Curaçao. Physically strong, quick as an arrow. Our prediction: The DFB team will struggle. A tough 1:1, saved by a lucky Havertz header after a Kimmich corner, in stoppage time of course. Promotion from the group wobbles slightly. But with every sip of Leipzig Gose beer, confidence grows again. We continue tomorrow, with heavy legs and a heavy head. It's a good thing that the stages in part 2 of our World Cup Gravel Trans-Germany are much more merciful.

Part 2: The Mark Brandenburg Sand Express (Leipzig to Berlin)

• Time slot: 21 June to 24 June (4 riding days - the terrain becomes flatter, the cuts become faster)
• Distance: approx. 210 kilometres (relaxed 52 kilometres per day)

Stage 6: Leipzig - Bad Düben (Dübener Heide)

We leave Leipzig heading north and immediately plunge into the Düben Heath. Sandy gravel requires a little less tyre pressure, but rewards us with absolute solitude.

• Worth seeing: Bad Düben moated castle
• Bikepacking tip: Hammermühle nature campsite - in the middle of the deep forest

Stage 7: Bad Düben - Lutherstadt Wittenberg (Elb-Gravel)

Short, flat and fast. We meet the Elbe. The Elbe cycle path offers the finest, compacted gravel without any metres in altitude. Ideal for taking it easy on the legs.

• Worth seeing: The castle church in Wittenberg, where Luther posted his theses
• Bikepacking tip: Marina-Camp Wittenberg, directly on the Elbe with a magnificent sunset

Stage 8: Wittenberg - Beelitz (the Fläming adventure)

Welcome to Brandenburg! Pine forests, the notorious sandy passages (also known as the "Brandenburger Schiebestrecke") and fine Brandenburg avenues alternate.

• Worth seeing: The Beelitz sanatoriums with the spectacular treetop path. A lost-place highlight directly on the route
• Bikepacking tip: Findlingshof or a beautiful private campsite in the Nuthe-Nieplitz Nature Park

Stage 9: Beelitz - Berlin (the Finale Grande)

Via Potsdam, past Sanssouci Palace and along Lake Wannsee, we gravelled along the Berlin Wall Cycle Path right into the heart of the capital. Triumphant entry over the Brandenburg Gate on the afternoon of 24 June. More emotional than any World Cup title!

• Location: Berlin
• Break day: 25 June
• Game: 25 June, 22:00: Germany-Ecuador

Because we're so damn well in time, 25 June belongs entirely to Berlin's bike culture. At the Steel Vintage Bikes Café and The Bike Café, we sip espresso, get a taste of the scene and admire everything that has two wheels and style. Then it's off to the Zweiradmuseum in Kreuzberg, where historic racing bikes, curious constructions and lots of cycling history await us.

In the evening, the Berlin fan mile at the Brandenburg Gate is ablaze. The DFB team conjures up a brilliant 3:1 against Ecuador. Group victory! Euphoria! We are the best! The Republic is up in arms.

The epilogue: Mbappé, Dembélé, Doué, Olise ... Oh dear!

4 July. As predicted by the experts, winning the group in the round of 16 took us straight into the arms of the Équipe Tricolore driven. No miracle from Bern, no spectacle from Belo Horizonte. Instead, Mbappé, Dembélé, Doué and Olise - Germany adé!