You do not need to take two weeks off for a cycling holiday. A selected section with two or three cycling days is often enough to get to know a region. What matters is not the total distance of the long-distance cycle route, but suitable daily stages, a reliable return journey and time for breaks.
Here you will find ten different cycle routes in Germany: river landscapes, cities, industrial heritage and the Baltic coast. The selection is not a ranking. It helps you find the route that suits your pace and the days you have available.
Ten routes compared directly
The distances are rounded planning estimates for the sections mentioned, not for the entire long-distance cycle route. Travel to the station, accommodation and excursions are additional. The cycling days do not include a long journey to the starting point.
| Cycle route | Suggested short break | Length | Particularly suitable if … |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elbe Cycle Route | Bad Schandau – Dresden – Meißen | approx. 70–80 km, 2 cycling days | you want to combine landscapes with a city visit |
| Weser Cycle Route | Hameln – Rinteln – Minden | approx. 67–70 km, 2 cycling days | you like short stages and old towns |
| Ruhr Valley Cycle Route | Schwerte – Hattingen – Mülheim an der Ruhr | approx. 95–105 km, 2 cycling days | you are interested in industrial heritage and urban landscapes |
| Main Cycle Route | Kitzingen – Würzburg – Gemünden | approx. 80 km, 2 cycling days | you want to discover Franconia with time to visit local towns |
| Ems Cycle Route | Greven – Rheine – Lingen | approx. 80–85 km, 2 cycling days | you are looking for gentler terrain |
| Rhine Cycle Route | Bingen – St. Goar – Koblenz, left bank | approx. 64–70 km, 2 cycling days | you want to experience a landscape of castles from the river valley |
| Danube Cycle Route | Regensburg – Straubing – Deggendorf | approx. 85–90 km, 2 cycling days | you want to combine old towns with longer stretches along the river |
| Baltic Sea Cycle Route | Eckernförde – Schwedeneck – Kiel | approx. 47 km including a canal ferry, 2 cycling days | you want to combine short cycling days with breaks on the beach |
| Oder–Neisse Cycle Route | Zittau – Ostritz – Görlitz | approx. 40 km, spread comfortably over 2 days | cultural stops are more important to you than the number of kilometres per day |
| Moselle Cycle Route | Bullay – Cochem – Löf – Koblenz | approx. 85–90 km, 3 cycling days | you prefer short cycling days between wine-growing towns |
1. Elbe Cycle Route: Landscapes and cities over a weekend
Between Bad Schandau and Meißen, you can combine a river tour with a city stay. For the first day, plan around 45 kilometres to Dresden, and for the second, around 25 to 30 kilometres to Meißen. Dresden is therefore a sensible place to stay overnight. Anyone who wants to visit museums should stay an additional night.
Choose a continuous riverbank side or a specific GPX track in advance. Bridges and ferries cannot be swapped at will; travel times, water levels, and detours can change the plan. Even an officially signposted route does not replace checking current closures.
Official route overview and planning information for the Elbe Cycle Route
2. Weser-Radweg: short riding days between Hameln and Minden
Hameln, Rinteln, and Minden make for a manageable two-day tour. With around 70 kilometers in total, there is time for a stroll through each town on both days. This is a good choice if you're traveling with luggage for the first time and don't yet know what several days of riding will feel like.
Rinteln is a suitable overnight stop. Follow the same route variant on both days; additional loops cost time and energy. For the return journey, first check the connection from Minden and whether bicycles are permitted before booking your accommodation.
Official Hameln–Minden tour with map and GPX
3. RuhrtalRadweg: industrial heritage instead of uninterrupted peaceful nature
You don't have to start in Winterberg for a brief introduction. The Schwerte–Hattingen–Mülheim an der Ruhr section can be cycled at around 50 kilometers per day. Hattingen is a convenient place to stay in between. This lets you focus on the lower Ruhr Valley instead of trying to cram the entire long-distance cycle route into one weekend.
Expect a mix of green corridors, built-up areas, and traffic routes. The route is neither car-free everywhere nor fully paved. A third day is worthwhile for longer sightseeing stops. In the event of flooding, closures and signposted detours take priority over the saved track.
Official kilometer overview and route characteristics
4. MainRadweg: two days through Franconia
Kitzingen–Würzburg and Würzburg–Gemünden are two official stages of around 36 and 44 kilometers. On the first day, the route includes Marktbreit and Ochsenfurt, among other places; on the second, Karlstadt. With an overnight stay in Würzburg, this becomes a compact short break during which not every stop puts your evening arrival at risk.
The MainRadweg runs through Franconia and onward to the Rhine. For this weekend, you don't need to choose between the different source variants of the entire route. Download exactly the two selected stages and add only the access routes to your accommodation and the train station.
Kitzingen–Würzburg · Würzburg–Gemünden
5. EmsRadweg: gentle terrain, but not just asphalt
Greven–Rheine–Lingen is a suitable choice for two days of cycling, each covering approximately 40 kilometers. Rheine is a suitable overnight stop. The appeal here lies less in a succession of major sights than in cycling through river landscapes, fields, and smaller towns.
The relatively gentle terrain should not be confused with a consistently smooth surface: paved forest and farm tracks are also part of the route. After rain, they may ride differently from asphalt. Also allow some extra time for headwinds. A low elevation-gain figure alone says little about how strenuous the day will be.
Emsland: Ems Cycle Route with sections and travel information
6. Rhine Cycle Route: the Middle Rhine Valley without a major mountain tour
For two days, the left bank of the Rhine from Bingen via St. Goar to Koblenz is a good choice. At around 65 to 70 kilometers, the route remains manageable. Divide it roughly into 30 and 35 kilometers, and take time to explore the riverside towns.
However, seeing castles and visiting castles are two different plans. Many visits require additional routes and elevation gain. A trip to the Loreley plateau is also not part of this left-bank route. In the narrow valley, roads and railways run alongside parts of the route: expect impressive views, but not continuous tranquility.
Official Rhine Cycle Route in Rhineland-Palatinate, including the left bank from Bingen to Koblenz
7. Danube Cycle Route: Regensburg, Straubing, and Deggendorf
Regensburg–Straubing, at around 48 kilometers, and Straubing–Deggendorf, at around 38 kilometers, make a practical two-day tour. If you do not know Regensburg yet, travel there the day before if possible. This way, sightseeing in the city does not compete with the first day of cycling.
This itinerary takes place entirely in Germany; it should not be confused with the frequently offered Passau–Vienna trip. Straubing is the planned overnight stop, and Deggendorf is the stage destination. For your return journey, check the specific connection, including bicycle spaces, and do not plan to take the last possible train.
Official stages of the German Danube Cycle Route, especially 10 and 11
8. Baltic Sea Cycle Route: two days from Eckernförde to Kiel
The official fifth stage covers around 47 kilometers, including the short canal ferry between Holtenau and Wik. With an overnight stay in Schwedeneck, it can become a two-day excursion with breaks at the beach. Both endpoints have rail connections. Splitting it over two days is our suggestion; routes to the accommodation and train stations come in addition.
The coast is by no means flat throughout: hills, short unpaved sections, and wind are all part of it. In Kiel-Holtenau, you currently need to follow the signposted construction detour; its additional distance is not included in the base figure. Also check whether the canal ferry is operating before setting off. After storms, further coastal paths may be closed.
Official stages with map and GPX · Kanalstraße construction site · Adler I canal ferry
9. Oder–Neisse Cycle Route: few kilometers, plenty of time for towns
Zittau–Ostritz–Görlitz is ideal for a deliberately leisurely weekend. The approximately 40 kilometers can also be ridden in one day. With two days, however, there is time for a stay in Zittau, a stop at St. Marienthal, and a walk through Görlitz. You should secure accommodation in the Ostritz area in advance.
The suggestion covers only a southern section, not the entire route to the Baltic Sea. A detour to Lake Berzdorf is added to the basic route. Zittau and Görlitz are connected by rail; nevertheless, you must check bicycle capacity and possible restrictions separately for the entire journey there.
Görlitz: Information about the Oder–Neisse Cycle Route
10. Moselle Cycle Route: three short riding days instead of one long stage
Bullay–Cochem–Löf can be divided into three riding days of approximately 31, 27, and 26 kilometers. This makes sense if you want to linger longer along the way, walk through towns, or set off only after breakfast. Cochem and Löf are the designated overnight stops.
Use official stages 8 to 10 as one continuous plan. In some places, the main route changes banks; do not combine it with an alternative route shown on the opposite bank without checking first. Paths to castles and higher viewpoints require extra time and energy. Along the Moselle, some sections also run alongside roads or railway lines.
Official Moselle stages with map and GPX
How to turn your selection into a relaxing short break
Plan your return journey first. A good route is of little use if your bicycle cannot come along on the way home. On long-distance trains, you need a bicycle ticket and a bicycle space reservation on suitable services. Regional rules apply to local transport; a ticket does not guarantee an available space. Also check for construction work and replacement buses. The German Rail bicycle information is a good starting point, but the specific operator's rules also apply.
Check whether your bike will fit on the train. This is particularly important with wide tires, large accessories, or heavy e-bikes; the statement “bicycles can be carried” is not sufficient. The rack, dimensions, and secure storage must be suitable. Clarify whether your specific bike can be carried before booking; a bicycle space is not a blanket guarantee for every model.
Separate travel time from riding time. For two full days of riding, Friday evening to Sunday is often more convenient than a long journey on Saturday morning. If you have a longer journey, add an extra night. Plan sightseeing explicitly and shorten the route accordingly instead of trying to make up time later.
Book accommodation and bicycle storage together. Ask about a secure parking space. With an e-bike, also clarify where the battery or bike may be charged. Range depends, among other things, on load, wind, gradients, and assistance level; the tour should not rely on an advertised maximum range.
Download the map and GPX file offline. Check the official information before departure and again on the day of the ride. Check which side of the river to use, ferries, closures, food options, and a shorter alternative route. A track shows the route, but does not reliably show every current construction site.
Which route would I choose first?
For short stages with visits to towns, the suggested Weser section and the three-day tour along the Moselle are obvious choices. If you want to combine cities with cycling, look at the Elbe, Main, or Danube. The Ruhr and Oder–Neisse routes offer different cultural highlights; the Baltic Sea is especially suitable if you enjoy beach breaks and can take wind into account when planning each day.
The best choice is the route that matches your travel time, daily distance, and interests. Two well-planned riding days are worth more than a famous route name that forces you to rush all weekend.
Editorial status: September 3, 2026. The short trips are original planning suggestions based on the linked official route information, not documented test rides. Distances vary depending on the route chosen. Please check maps, closures, and transport connections again before setting off.
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