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. On the right bank of the Rhine, the route leads through the federal state of Hesse and its wine-growing region of Rheingau. On the left bank of the Rhine, the route runs through the Palatinate region where you can visit the city of Speyer and its cathedral and through the Rheinhessen region, famous for its wine. The best-known section of the route in Germany is the UNESCO World Heritage site Upper 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.

EuroVelo 15 is also part of the national long-distance cycle route network in Germany as D-Route 8.

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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.
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The stage from Constance to Basel is signed in this way. The same signing is used in Hesse from Lampertheim to Rüdesheim.
Countries

Legend

Development status
  • Certified Section of at least 300 km that has successfully undergone the certification process in line with ECF’s European Certification Standard. It is the highest quality level on the EuroVelo network
  • Developed with EuroVelo signs Developed route (see category below) with continuous signing along the route, incorporating EuroVelo route information panels.
  • Developed Route developed for cyclists and signed in line with the respective national standard (i.e. it is part of a local, regional or national cycle network). There must also be a website providing information to users. Developed route can be heterogeneous in terms of infrastructure: type of cycling infrastructure, surface, width, gradients, etc
  • Under development Route containing sections that require further development (e.g. stretches on public highways with high levels of traffic). Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Planning Undeveloped route with no detailed information publicly available on the Internet. The itinerary communicated is a proposal for the best possible option currently available. It may also contain dangerous sections. Cyclists are advised to use public transportation to skip these non-developed stretches.
  • Public transport link

Markers

  • Natural Heritage
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Culinary Delights
  • Maritime Heritage / The Rhine / The Meuse
  • Other Point of Interest
  • Service
  • Bus station
  • Train station
  • Mobility info center

National & Regional Information

ADFC: German Cyclists’ Association

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

The German Cyclists’ Association (ADFC) has over 240,000 members and is the largest lobby group for cyclists in Germany and worldwide. It advises on all issues relating to bicycles: law, technology and tourism. Politically, the ADFC is committed to the consistent promotion of bicycle traffic and cycle tourism at regional, national and international levels.

030 2091498-0
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Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM)

National EuroVelo Coordination Centre

The Federal Logistics and Mobility Office (BALM) is the central lead partner for the promotion of cycling on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Transport. The BALM is the is the first point of contact for a lot of questions referring to the funding and the promotion of bicycle traffic. Thus, the BALM makes an essential contribution to the sustainable shaping of a safe, environmentally suitable mobility and to the accomplishment of the climate protection goals in the area of mobility. The Cycle Network Germany office at BALM is the project organiser for the German national cycle network. It forms the network of cycle routes of national importance and consists of the thirteen D-Routes, the German Unity Cycle Route and included the Iron Curtain Trail.

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[EuroVelo 15] D-Route 8

This website contains information on the German D-Route 8, with a description of the route, an online map with a route planning function and an option to download the route tracks.

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ADFC Quality Cycle Routes and ADFC Bicycle Travel Regions

Currently, 44 quality routes in Germany, 2 quality routes abroad and 6 bicycle travel regions carry the ADFC seal of quality. The link provides more information.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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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.

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Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH

Romantic Rhine Tourism is the authority responsible for the promotion 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) 2621/ 925350
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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
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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.

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Related news

Maps & Guides

EuroVelo 15 - Rhine Cycle Route Handbook

From the source to the mouth: 1233 kilometres of cycling fun! 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. You can download the handbook here.

EuroVelo 15: Rhine Cycle Route - part 2 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This german-language cycling guide describes EuroVelo 15 in Germany and France between Basel and Mainz (415 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.

EuroVelo 15: Rhine Cycle Route - part 3 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This german-language cycling guide describes EuroVelo 15 in Germany between Mainz and Duisburg (304 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.

EuroVelo 15: Rhine Cycle Route - part 4 [Bikeline Esterbauer]

This german-language cycling guide describes the section of the EuroVelo cycle route in Germany from Köln and in the Netherlands (450 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.

Events

Akkordeonale Festival 2026

The Akkordeonale 2026 – International Accordion Festival will stop in Bad Bellingen on Friday, 1 May 2026, at 7 pm in the Kurhaus. An international ensemble presents a vibrant programme ranging from Brazilian Gaucho music and Balkan jazz to Rembetiko, Italian minimal music and French accordion artistry, complemented by saxophone and cello. Alternating solos and ensemble pieces highlight how music connects cultures. Tickets are available at the Tourist Information Bad Bellingen and online via Re…

"Rhine in Flames" (Rhein in Flammen®)

On five evenings from May to September, fireworks illuminate the towns, castles and banks of the Middle Rhine Valley. Thousands enjoy the spectacle from land or on board festively illuminated ships. The echo of the fireworks reverberates through the valley. Each venue offers a unique experience with its own atmosphere. Bonn: 2nd May // Bingen/Rüdesheim: 4th July // Spay-Koblenz: 8th August // Oberwesel: 12th September // St. Goar: 19th September ©Dominik Ketz/Romantischer Rhein Tourismus GmbH, …

Open Museum Day - Cycle to the Museum

On Sunday, 3 May, it's time once again for ‘Cycle to the Museum – Open Museum Day’. In the districts of Germersheim and Südliche Weinstraße, over 38 cultural sites will be open with free admission – including 26 museums, 3 information centres, adventure trails, churches and the Roman ship. The opening will take place at Tabakweg in Hatzenbühl, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. There will also be bike museum rallies via app and a competition. Photo: ©Pfalz.Touristik e.V., Dominik Ketz

Cycling Experience Day: WIEDer ins Tal

On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the motto is finally: Car-free through the Wiedtal. From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Wiedtal is open on 48 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

3-Länder-Stadt Festival

The 3-Länder-Stadt Festival (3LSF) is a very special kind of city festival. Young and old come together to enjoy performances by a wide variety of bands, with free admission. Our club mile ensures direct participation of citizens in the festival and offers a wide variety of food and drinks at reasonable prices. Local heroes such as the Stadtmusik Weil am Rhein and Bonds Big Band perform on the main stage on Rathausplatz alongside international bands. ©Oiver Welti

Jedem sayn Tal

On June 21, the charming Sayntal valley between Selters and Bendorf-Sayn will once again be car-free. The route is accompanied by the Saynbach and leads from Selters in the Westerwald down to Bendorf-Sayn in the Rhine Valley. Starting at 10 a.m., clubs and restaurateurs along the route will be offering delicious food, coffee and cake as well as beverages for a refreshing break. At all stations there will also be a varied program and lots of music. Photo: ©Mahlow Media/Romantischer Rhein Tourism…

Kaiserstuhl Culinary Cycling Tour 2026

The Kaiserstuhl region stands for enjoyment, scenery, and joie de vivre – and that's exactly what we want to bring to life on the 2026 Kaiserstuhl Culinary Cycling Tour. Participants receive a booklet of vouchers and cycle independently along the signposted Kaiserstuhl Cycle Path, visiting each establishment individually, getting to know the people behind the regional offerings, and enjoying high-quality culinary samples in a relaxed atmosphere. ©NGK/S. Schröder-Esch

Cinema Open Air

The Kieswerk Open Air is more than just an open-air cinema. It is complemented by musical performances, an extensive culinary offering and the presentation of art. The location where the Kieswerk Open Air takes place is also special: On the garden grounds between the former mixing plant of the previous gravel pit and the architecturally remarkable 'Landscape Formation One' by star architect Zaha Hadid, impressive films can be enjoyed in an unique atmosphere on mild summer nights. ©Oliver Welti

Wine Path in Flames

Since 2005, the members of the interest group "Weinweg" have been organizing the popular event "Wine Path in Flames," which takes place on the hamlet Weinweg on the Tüllinger Berg. Over four kilometers, amid the vineyards, visitors can enjoy nature, a magnificent view, exquisite local wines and a diverse selection of culinary delights. At dusk, when Swedish torches illuminate the path and a burning fire tower sends sparkling sparks into the evening sky, a bit of magic also comes into play. The …

Services

bett+bike
Germany
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national

The bett+bike logo by ADFC can be found not only in Germany but in many other countries such as Austria, Belgium or Denmark. On the website certified accommodations are divided in four categories: bett+bike hosts, sports, camping and holiday homes. In addition, the results can be subdivided into regions and cycle routes. For an easier use while cycling, the bett+bike services can also be viewed with an app.

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