Schöffel Biketrips — riverside bike trails in Germany

Rivers have always fascinated people. Trickling springs can become raging torrents. Floods cause catastrophe and, as natural borders, rivers have often been the scene of battles. On the other hand, rivers also create fertile lands and they’re not only often borders but also important trade routes. It’s no coincidence that, since ancient times, communities have settled along estuaries, fords and river mouths.

There’s always something to discover along rivers: medieval towns, stunning bridges and mighty fortresses to name a few. And beyond that, these watercourses create unique landscapes. Sometimes a river squeezes through the narrow corset of a gorge, sometimes it flows leisurely through a broad plain to create idyllic floodplain landscapes. With islands, meanders and cliffs, rivers are prized for their incredible features.

The best way to explore rivers and their surroundings is by bike. In the past 50 years, cycling infrastructure has improved greatly and you can concentrate fully on enjoying the diverse landscapes. All you really need to do is choose your route.

To make it easier for you to choose, in this Collection we’ve put together five varied riverside cycle routes in Germany. The Danube Cycle Route is one of the best known and is particularly attractive from its source to the city of Passau. The Moselle River enchants with its countless loops and impressive vineyards, while along the Weser, a wide variety of landscapes emerge. The Elbe Cycle Route takes you from the ‘Grand Canyon of Saxony’ to the North Sea, and the Altmühl meanders leisurely through the north of Bavaria. No matter which of these routes you choose, an epic time awaits you along Germany's rivers.