Cyclist heaven: This 900-mile cycle route in Europe - map and tips for beautiful bicycle touring
As part of an effort to promote sustainable tourism, the European Cyclists’ Federation is developing a pan-continental network of routes.
On a largely car-free cycling route covering nearly 1,000 miles along the River Rhine, tourists on two wheels can visit six countries and a raft of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Running from Andermatt, Switzerland, to the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands, you’ll find the Rhine Cycle Route, also known as EuroVelo 15.
Part of a pan-continental cycling network being developed by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), EuroVelo 15 also passes through Austria, France, Germany and Liechtenstein.
“Accelerator” for sustainable tourism
By 2030, the ECF aims to have completed a total of 17 EuroVelo routes, spanning more than 50,000 miles and some 40 countries. By building the Europe-wide network of routes, the organization says, it seeks to act “as an accelerator to increase cycling” and, in the process, promote sustainable tourism.
How long is EuroVelo 15?
The Rhine Cycle Route measures 1,450 kilometres (900 miles) in length, with just under 1,300 km (800 miles) classified by the ECF as “certified”. According to the EuroVelo website, a certified route is “the highest level of quality across the network, proven with a thorough assessment.
“This label basically guarantees that the certified cycle routes are well developed, continuous and safe, with limited traffic and regular EuroVelo signs making it easy to navigate.”
On EuroVelo 15, 87% of the certified route is labelled as containing “no or very low traffic”.
To locate the certified sections of the Rhine Cycle Route, you can download an interactive map, in GPX format, from the EuroVelo website. The EuroVelo 15’s certified route appears on the map in green. You can find out more about how to download and use a GPX map in this EuroVelo explainer.
Among the 11 UNESCO sites listed on the EuroVelo 15 route, you’ll find: the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in western Germany; the Speyer and Cologne cathedrals, also in Germany; and the Saint Gallen Monastery, in north-east Switzerland. Get further details on the EuroVelo website.
EuroVelo 15 - overall route map:
Rhine Cycle Route - video guide:
When’s best to do the Rhine Cycle Route?
For the best weather conditions, aim for somewhere between April and October. According to the cycling experts VeloPlanner, “the optimal time to cycle the Rhine is between spring and autumn, as this is when the landscapes are at their most vibrant.
“Spring brings fresh flowers and mild weather, summer brings long days and lively cultural events, and autumn brings the golden hues of vineyards and the chance to participate in wine festivals.”
If you are an inexperienced cyclist, the ECF warns, you should avoid trying to cover more than 50 km (about 30 miles) of flat terrain in a day.
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