EuroVelo 15Rhine Cycle Route

1,500 km long
9 UNESCO sites
4 countries visited
Easy rides for family
Contains only parts of the route which are either developed, developed with signs or certified – i.e. sections that are ready to cycle.
Your contribution helps towards keeping these official GPX tracks up-to-date and freely available to download.
Disclaimer

While ECF and National EuroVelo Coordination Centers and Coordinators (NECC/Cs) make every effort to ensure the tracks and their levels of development are both current and accurate, errors or outdated information can occur. The user is fully responsible for his or her own safety when making use of the tracks and for following national traffic rules and signing. Please download and read the complete disclaimer before using the tracks.

Suitable for cyclists of all fitness levels and abilities, the Rhine Cycle Route runs along one of the longest rivers in Europe from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea. The Rhine has fostered a cultural and economic dialogue between the Alpine regions and Northern Europe for over 2,000 years. Explore the beauty of this river landscape and the picturesque towns and villages lining its banks.

"The Rhine combines every quality a river can exhibit. The rapidity of the Rhone, the breadth of the Loire, the rocks of the Meuse, the sinuosity of the Seine, the translucency of the Somme, the historical reminiscences of the Tiber, the regal dignity of the Danube, the mysterious influence of the Nile, the golden sands of the glittering streams of the New World, the phantoms of some Asiatic stream" - Victor Hugo.

Related news

Maps & Guides

EuroVelo 15 - Rhine Cycle Route Handbook

From the source to the mouth: 1233 kilometres of cycling fun with a river view. You are looking for cyclist-friendly accommodation close to Andermatt? You are interested in seeing Düsseldorf’s sights? You fancy trying Alsatian “Flammkuchen” in Strasbourg or wine in Rhineland Palatinate or perhaps you would like to rent a bike on the Dutch coast? Step by step, or better put stage by stage, you will find all the transnational information as well as helpful tour tips and tricks.

EuroVelo 6: Rhine Cycle Route 1 “Rhein-Radweg 1” [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This cycling guide describes the Swiss section of EuroVelo 6 (135 km). The perfect tool before and during your journey: precise and informative maps, 1:75,000 scale, elevation and distance profiles, GPS tracks, accommodation and service directory. Can be used even without any knowledge of German. English translation of the map legend and the user manual of the guide available at esterbauer.com/international.

Ouest-France Guide: La Véloroute du Rhin - de Karlsruhe à la mer du Nord via Cologne

From romantic Germany to the windmills and wild beaches of the Netherlands, a beautiful river journey with many Unesco sites. 26 routes for the whole family on good cycling facilities. 799 km of itinerary - 20 stages between 20 and 68km - 6 escapades from 25 to 54km - 38 detailed maps at 1:50,000 scale - Cultural and historical information on the heritage - An address list - Directions for following the route - Visits, detours and variations - practical information (in French)

Events

Rad+Freizeit 2023 - RadReisemesse

The ADFC Rad + Freizeit in Siegburg is the largest cycle travel fair in western Germany. It offers a refreshing variety of information and activities on the subject of cycling, leisure and travel. Around 100 domestic and foreign exhibitors such as tourism regions, tour operators, bike shops from the region and many more present their offers. At the same time, the fair offers sales opportunities for bicycles, accessories, clothing and other bicycle-related items.

Cycling Experience Day: WIEDer ins Tal

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, the motto is finally: Car-free through the Wiedtal. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Wiedtal is open on 50 kilometers from Neuwied-Niederbieber to Seifen in the Westerwald only for cyclists, inline skaters and pedestrians. At numerous places along the route there will be live music, children's entertainment, service stations and much more. Also for the physical well-being is naturally provided. Photo: ©Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH

Stadtradeln

Joint action of several cities and municipalities under the patronage of the district of Waldshut. This action was initiated by the Climate Alliance. The Climate Alliance is an association of municipalities founded in 1990 with the aim of protecting the climate. STADTRADELN (Cycling for a Good Climate) is the Climate Alliance's largest campaign worldwide on the subject of cycling. For 21 days in a row, the aim is to cycle as many journeys as possible. Photo: ©Landkreis Waldshut

slowUp Hochrhein

Car-free cycling, skating and walking day - 32 km of traffic-free roads. The slowUp recipe is as simple as it is convincing: take 32 kilometres of road in an attractive landscape, close it to motorised traffic for one day and provide a varied entertainment programme along the route. The result is a festival for young and old, families or singles, people who like to move and people who like to enjoy themselves, all of whom find the car-free atmosphere equally enjoyable. Photo: ©Stadt Laufenburg

Eroica Germania

Historic bike race: At the Eroica Germania, participants can choose from three routes that take them through the breathtaking landscape of the Rheingau region, past vineyards, monasteries and castles. Start/finish is in Eltville-Erbach. The race is framed by a festival (Aug. 17-20) with live music and the International Cycling Film Festival. There are also local wines & products to taste, bikes & accessories to admire at the Vintage Market. Photo: ©Paolo Martelli_L´Eroica

Bookable Offers

Rhine-Route Andermatt – Rorschach

EV15
@Switzerland

Experience the Rhine from its source to the largest lake of Switzerland and Germany. After an excursion to Ilanz, you will pass Chur, the capital of Grisons. Downstream you will follow the river into the Rhine valley and along the shores of Lake Constance to Rorschach. You can also expand your trip to Schaffhausen with its famous Rhine Falls or to Basel on the border with Germany. The price includes 6 nights' accommodation with breakfast, daily luggage transfers and perfectly prepared route mat…

Bike Tour Basel Speyer

EV15
@France @Germany @Switzerland

Most of the time the Rhine forms the natural border between France and Germany, between French savoir-vivre and German coziness. The past hasn't always been that peaceful, as you can see along the route, finding yourself often between former French and German fortifications. The region has nonetheless been enjoyable, passing through several historic sites - from the Swiss Basel via Freiburg to the European city of Strasbourg, by Karlsruhe to the picturesque city of Speyer and its cathedral.

Rhine Route Arnhem - Rotterdam

EV15
@Netherlands

A varied route past historical places, beautiful fortified cities and typical Dutch polder landscapes. The cycling route will take you from Arnhem to historical towns such as Oosterbeek, Wijk bij Duurstede, Buren, Gorinchem and Dordrecht, past typical polder landscapes and ends in Rotterdam. Possible highlights of the tour include the Airborne Museum Hartestein, Doorwerth Castle, Loevestijn Castle, National Park the Biesbosch, the mills of Kinderdijk and the final destination Rotterdam.

Neckar, Rhine & Vines CYCLING TOURS THROUGH PARADISE

EV15
@Germany

Sweet fruits hang plumply from the trees and bushes along the cycle path. You only have to stretch out your hand to taste one of them. It is truly a paradise sight when kiwis, figs and cherries grow so richly in the area between the Rhine, Neckar and German Wine Road. It is probably also this culinary wealth that makes people so proud of their homeland. So proud that they give each and every guest their full attention. Photo: ©Südpfalz-Tourismus Landkreis Germersheim, Nico Bohnert

Three Imperial Cathedrals along the Rhine SPEYER, WORMS & MAINZ

EV15
@Germany

The enormous imperial cathedrals in Speyer, Worms and Mainz are impressive witnesses of almost a thousand years of history along the largest European river. This special charm of nature and culture continues to entice! Enjoy a multifaceted and very exciting bike tour along the romantic Old arms of the Rhine, passing many cultural highlights in the largest German wine-growing regions of Rhine-Hesse and Palatinate. Photo: ©Pfalz.Touristik e.V

Loop tour around Koblenz

EV15
@Germany

Discover the Rhine Cycle Route around Koblenz. Two circular tours take you through the Upper and Lower Middle Rhine Valley. Castles, palaces, vineyards and historic sites await you in this unique cultural landscape. Included: 3 nights/breakfast in a bike-friendly hotel in Koblenz, combined ticket for the Koblenz cable car, extensive cycling map material (including Bikeline cycling map of the Rhine Cycle Route) Photo:©Dominik Ketz/Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH

Charms of Alsace

EV15
@France

An easy route to appreciate all the charms of Alsace. Discover the traditional and picturesque Alsace, the one from the postcards but also the unusual and little-known one. You will cycle through cities of art and history as well as villages snuggled up in the vineyards. Have a taste of their wood framing and half-timbered architecture throughout stages full of charm. Have rest in lovely hotels and sit down at prestigious tables to savor regional food.

Constance lake roundtrip and Rhein falls

EV15
@Austria @Germany @Switzerland

Lake Constance is bordered with Germany, Switzerland and Austria, is a bike touring paradise. A few stages after the Rhine source, you will encounter Lake Constance on the EuroVelo 15 and its well-signed bicycle routes which do not only follow the lake borders : the historical city of Constance, the flower island Mainau, Reichenau Island... All this is orchestrated between vineyards and a breathtaking alpine panorama. You can also enjoy thermal baths and beaches after cycling.

The romantic Rhine from Mainz to Cologne

EV15
@Germany

A one-week trip that follows the Rhine along the EuroVelo 15 between Mainz and Cologne. During this stay, you will follow one of the most beautiful parts of the famous European river: the romantic Rhine, where you will get to discover its thousand-year-old heritage through its steep hillsides, silhouettes of castles and fortresses in ruins. Along this prestigious itinerary, you will also have the opportunity to taste delicious culinary specialties accompanied by renowned regional wines.