Description

The Rhine – Cultural centre of Europe

The Rhine is Europe’s most well-known and most historic river. Throughout its steady north-south course from the Alps to the North Sea, it is one of the most attractive rivers for tourists with its most charming countryside. It has been one of the most important traffic routes for cultural exchange between the Mediterranean region and Northern Europe for two thousand years. Discover the beauty of this fluvial topography and its bordering cities and villages with numerous UNESCO world heritage sites on the Rhine cycle path by bike.

The Rhine – Linking the historic regions of Europe
The international Rhine cycle path with an overall length of about 1.320 km passes through four countries from the headwaters of the Rhine in Andermatt in the Swiss Alps to the estuary in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The cantons, federal states and provinces along the Rhine are characterised by very different natural and cultural areas which are very attractive particularly from a tourist's point of view. Starting from the Swiss Alps, the route of the Rhine cycle path takes course alongside Lake Constance and the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen to the border triangle in Basle. Parallel to the “floating” German-French border between Alsace and the Black Forest, it leads you further on over the Rhine area in Hessen to the UNESCO world heritage Upper Mid-Rhine Valley with the legendary Loreley in Rhineland-Palatinate to the most historic towns of the Rhineland.
As the river has broken through the Rhine shale rock masses, special landscapes with steep valley drops have developed. Besides the big city architecture, the Rhine cycle path runs tangent to three wine areas: Palatinate, Rhine-Hessen and Mid-Rhine. Further on, the Rhine cycle path leads you through the Lower-Rhine region to the Roman city Xanten in North-Rhine Westphalia and finally alongside the Rhine delta through the Dutch provinces Gelderland, Utrecht and South-Holland. The river runs into the North Sea at Hoek van Holland near to the seaport Rotterdam.
Up to now, the Rhine has been sung about, painted, photographed and visited countless times. Poets and thinkers have been inspired by the river and its landscape. But it is not only the romance of the Rhine with its numerous villages, castles, sayings and legends that has enchanted people from all ages. The river and its species-rich banks are habitat for numerous animals and plants that will fascinate you during your cycle tour.

The Rhine - A cycling experience
The consistent signposted route of the Rhine cycle path leads you through historical cities and imposing landmarks. The cycle path which is accessible on both banks of the river mainly consists of well-completed, cycle-friendly stretches. To help you find your way, the signposts follow the international standardised route logo "Euroradler".
With only a few rises on the route of the Rhine cycle path being suitable for all ages, the cyclist can see unforgettable views on the Rhine and its landscape along most parts of the route. You will constantly get new impressions and experiences along Europe’s most important waterway during family trips or as an ambitious sports cyclist.
Spoil yourself with a break in one of the numerous inns offering typical regional culinary specialities and enjoy the hospitality of Europe. Depending on the length of your stage, you can make a stopover wherever you like in high quality, cyclist-friendly hotels and guest houses and experience the cultural diversity. The very good connection of the Rhine cycle path to public rail transport in nearly all cities along the Rhine offers the best possibilities for the individual organisation of your cycling holiday.