Road bike tours in Germany: The five most beautiful regions for well-maintained Easter excursions
TOUR Online
· 17.04.2025
Germany has numerous scenic regions that are ideal for road bike tours. From challenging mountain routes to flat river cycle paths, there is something for every taste and fitness level. This overview presents five particularly attractive areas that inspire road cyclists with varied routes, beautiful views and good infrastructure. In the Markgräflerland region in the south-west, sun-kissed vineyards and crisp climbs beckon. The Swabian Alb offers long climbs and thrilling descents. Idyllic canals and flat cycle paths await in the Spreewald. The Oberallgäu scores with its alpine panorama. And around Koblenz, racing cyclists will find a diverse network of routes between the Rhine, Moselle and low mountain ranges. What all regions have in common are well-developed cycle paths, low-traffic side roads and a cyclist-friendly infrastructure with accommodation and places to stop for refreshments.
Markgräflerland: a racing bike paradise between vineyards
The Markgräflerland region in the south-west of Baden-Württemberg is considered one of the best road cycling areas in Germany. The region between Freiburg and Basel is characterised by a mild climate, picturesque vineyards and challenging routes. It is characterised by short, crisp climbs through the vineyards, which challenge racing cyclists time and again. A typical tour leads from Müllheim over 125 kilometres and 1760 metres in altitude through the hilly landscape. After a flat roll-in along the Moselle, the route leads up and down through the vineyards. The section between Badenweiler and Kandern is particularly attractive with its winding roads and fantastic views of the Black Forest and Vosges mountains. The region also boasts an excellent infrastructure for cyclists. In the idyllic wine villages, there are numerous places to stop for refreshments to savour the local wines and Baden cuisine.
Swabian Alb: long climbs and rapid descents
The Swabian Alb offers road cyclists a varied terrain with its characteristic topography of plateau and steep slopes. The long climbs up to the Alb plateau are particularly attractive, followed by rapid descents back down into the valley. A challenging tour leads from Bad Urach over 102 kilometres and 1550 metres in altitude along the Albtrauf. The tour deliberately includes as many ascents and descents as possible and demands both fitness and riding technique. Although the individual climbs are not extremely steep with a maximum gradient of 11 per cent, they add up to a decent overall performance. Between the climbs, there are always breathtaking views from the Albkante into the foothills. Most of the routes run on side roads with little traffic, so that racing cyclists can enjoy the landscape in peace. With Bad Urach as the starting point, numerous variants can be put together.
Spreewald: Relaxed cycling through an idyllic river landscape
The Spreewald to the south-east of Berlin offers road cyclists a completely different terrain to the mountainous regions in the south. The flat river landscape with its countless canals is ideal for relaxed tours without major differences in altitude. The extensive cycle path network leads along well-maintained paths along the rivers, through forests and across fields. A typical tour from Lübbenau covers 106 kilometres through the UNESCO biosphere reserve. Along the way, you cross or accompany one of the countless bodies of water. The section through the museum village of Lehde is particularly attractive, where boatmen use punting poles to propel their boats through the narrow canals. The flat topography also allows less trained cyclists to enjoy longer tours. On hot summer days, the shady forests offer pleasant coolness. Numerous inns invite you to take a break and enjoy regional specialities.
Oberallgäu: Road cycling with an Alpine panorama
The Oberallgäu region attracts racing cyclists with a combination of challenging routes and breathtaking views of the Alps. There are tours to suit every taste around Immenstadt - from flat rides in the Alpine foothills to challenging mountain routes. A delightful 125-kilometre tour with an elevation gain of 1500 metres initially leads south through hilly terrain. At Tiefenbach, the ascent into the secluded Rohrmoostal valley, which stretches between high rock faces, awaits. After a rapid descent, the route leads back to Immenstadt along undulating roads. Along the way, there are always magnificent views of the Allgäu Alps. The region boasts a dense network of low-traffic side roads, allowing racing cyclists to enjoy the landscape in peace. There are numerous cosy inns in the valleys for refreshments with regional specialities.
Koblenz: Diverse route network between rivers and mountains
The region around Koblenz offers racing cyclists an extremely varied terrain between the Rhine, Moselle and the surrounding low mountain ranges. Flat stretches along the rivers alternate with challenging climbs in the Eifel, Hunsrück and Westerwald. A delightful tour leads over 150 kilometres and 1860 metres in altitude, initially flat along the Moselle before climbing up into the Eifel. On the way, you pass picturesque castles such as the Reichsburg Cochem. The return journey leads along undulating roads with beautiful views back to Koblenz. The region boasts a dense network of low-traffic side roads and cycle paths. Numerous variants allow you to put together tours to suit your personal preferences. With its central location and good transport connections, Koblenz is an excellent starting point for multi-day road bike tours through the charming low mountain range landscape.
