EuroVelo 15 first enters Germany at Lake Constance and runs west along the right bank of the River Rhine to Basel. The route then continues northwards through the cities of Karlsruhe and Mannheim. Entering the state of Hesse, EuroVelo 15 passes through the wine region surrounding Mainz. Alternatively, you can visit the city of Speyer and its cathedral on the left bank of the river in Rhineland Palatinate. The best-known section of the route in Germany is the Middle Rhine Valley between Bingen and Koblenz where the river passes through a dramatic landscape of vineyards, castles and small riverside towns. In North Rhine Westphalia, EuroVelo 15 runs along both sides of the river, passing through the former German capital of Bonn, the cathedral city of Cologne and the state capital of Düsseldorf. After leaving the Ruhr conurbation, the route becomes more rural and peaceful as the river flows towards the border with the Netherlands.

EV15 DE.png
In Rhineland-Palatinate the route from Lauterbourg to Remagen/Rolandseck/Unkel is signed like this. The same signing is also used in Baden-Württemberg from Basel to Lampertheim.
EV15 DE2.jpg
The stage from Constance to Basel is signed in this way. The same signing is used in Hesse from Lampertheim to Rüdesheim.

National & Regional Information

ADFC: Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V.

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

The ADFC is a nationwide, Non-Profit-Organisation with over 200,000 bicycle-enthusiastic members whose shared aim is to make the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. Besides encouraging environmentally-friendly and therefore sustainable forms of transport, the ADFC provides advice on all aspects of cycling. This includes advice on buying a bike, technology and cycling accessories, tourism-related and political issues.

030 2091498-0

ADFC Quality Cycling Routes

Currently, 37 quality routes in Germany, 2 quality routes abroad and 8 cycling tour regions carry the ADFC seal of quality. The link provides more information.

ADFC's brochure "Discover Germany by bike"

On the online presentation of the ADFC's brochure you will find a selection of the most beautiful bike routes in Germany.

Bett+Bike - Bicycle Friendly Accommodation

Around 5,900 hotels, guesthouses, youth hostels, nature houses and camping sites are tailored to the needs of cyclists. Guest companies meeting ADFC quality criteria are marked with a sign at the entrance.

Bicycle Route Planner in Germany

This platform enables seamless cycling route planning across Germany! Plan your trip and download the GPX tracks of German D-Routes in open data.

German Tourism Center e.V., DZT

The DZT has promoted Germany abroad on behalf of the federal government for more than 60 years. It advertises the touristic diversity of Germany throughout the world. It therefore advertises for one of the biggest and most popular brands - the travel country Germany. A selection of attractive long distance cycle routes can be found on www.germany.travel with route descriptions and references of Bed+Bike establishments.

+49 (0)69 974640

HA Hessen Agentur GmbH - Tourismus- und Kongressmarketing

The tourism- and congress marketing department of the HA Hessen Agentur GmbH is responsible for the promotion of the long-distance cycle routes within the federal state of Hesse. The Rhine Cycle Route is one of the routes. Detailed information about the Rhine Cycle Route - including an online -route -planner - can be found on the website of "Radroutenplaner Hessen" in several languages.

Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH

Romantic Rhine Tourism is the authority responsible for the promotion and development of the Rhine Cycle Route (RCR) in Rhineland-Palatinate. The RCR passes through the three touristic destinations of the Palatinate, Rhine Hesse and the romantic Rhine valley.

+49 (0) 261 - 97 38 47 0

Tourismus Marketing GmbH Baden-Württemberg

South-west Germany is cycling country. With its extensive network of quiet back roads through the hills of the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest, you can pedal alone, with friends or family, taking it easy or riding hard. On TMBW's website you can find all the important information about the Rhine Cycle Route in Baden-Württemberg, like maps, cyclist friendly accommodation or information about tourist sights.

0711 / 2 38 58 0

Tourismus North Rhine-Westphalia e.V.

Tourismus NRW e.V. is the authority responsible for the coordination, communication and promotion of the Rhine Cycle Route's North Rhine-Westphalian section. The routes in the federal state follow the river on both of its banks providing scenic views of the river every now and then. The route is largely flat with an excellent infrastructure.

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.

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

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.

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

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.