Flat terrain, lots to see: families love these 9 bike trails

North Rhine-Westphalia: Rhineland Apple Route

Eight valleys, three days of touring, tons of apples: that's what awaits cyclists on this tour through North Rhine-Westphalia's largest fruit and vegetable growing region. Even though the trailer-friendly route through orchards and picturesque villages is anything but strenuous, you should allow plenty of time for breaks: after all, there are plenty of playgrounds and rest areas to tempt you, as well as farm shops and cider mills. Tip: the fruit blossoms in spring offer particularly charming views, as does the autumn harvest season.

Start and finish: e.g. Meckenheim
Length: 124 kilometers
ADFC classification: 3-star ADFC quality cycle route

From the Sauerland to the Weser: Diemel Cycle Route

Heringhausen: View of the Diemelsee lake in the Sauerland region ©Adobe Stock (oldline2)

There is even a special term for enjoying the cycle route through the Diemel Valley, which has been awarded five ADFC stars – the highest possible rating! “Diemeln.” What does that mean? Cycling mostly close to the river from the source of the Diemel to its confluence with the Weser – ideal for relaxed stages with children. Idyllic meadows, the Diemelsee Nature Park, castles, and half-timbered towns provide variety, while the world's largest ski jump and a huge butterfly population are a source of wonder.

Start: Willingen-Usseln, destination: Bad Karlshafen
Length: 112 kilometers
ADFC classification: 5-star ADFC quality cycle route

Hesse from south to north: Fulda Cycle Route

When you travel across the Hessian homeland of the Brothers Grimm, it can only be magical! This is certainly true for the 255 kilometers from the source of the Fulda River, where it joins the Werra River to form the Weser River, to Bad Karlshafen. Thanks to the mostly flat terrain, the route is ideal for multi-day family tours. However, you should allow five days to have enough time for the many playgrounds, castles, and baroque towns, as well as some fabulous detours, such as to the “Grimmwelt” in Kassel.

Start: Mosbach in the Rhön (source of the Fulda), destination: Bad Karlshafen
Length: 255 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route

Wartburg-Altenburg: Thuringian city chain

Eisenach: View of the Wartburg from outside ©DZT (Francesco Carovillano)

This popular and easy-to-ride cycle route offers seven in one go – seven cities, each of which is worth a short trip in its own right! The route starts in Eisenach with the World Heritage Site Wartburg Castle and continues via Gotha and Erfurt (highlight for children: the zoo) to Weimar, the city of poets and thinkers. And then there's Jena (tip: the planetarium), Gera, and the skat city of Altenburg. Practical: if you need a break from cycling, you can hop on the train at any time...

Start: Wartburg Castle, destination: Altenburg
Length: 230 kilometers
ADFC classification: 3-star ADFC quality cycle route

Stuttgart metropolitan region: Remstal Cycle Route

Swimwear should always be at hand on this 106-kilometer, mostly flat river route. Awarded four ADFC stars, the route through the Remstal valley not only takes you through parks, orchards, and half-timbered towns, but also past numerous swimming spots, especially the natural beaches of the Rems river. How do you get the kids back on their bikes or into the trailer? With the prospect of more playgrounds and barbecue areas, cafés, and wine taverns. There are still a few more to come!

Start: Weinstadt-Endersbach, destination: Aalen
Length: 106 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route

Upper and Lower Allgäu: Allgäu Cycle Route

Füssen: city view with Lech and Forggensee lake ©DZT (Michael Neumann)

The mostly gently rolling Allgäu region is perfect for days of leisurely cycling – just follow the signs for the 475-kilometer loop. If that's too strenuous, choose easier stages (such as along the Iller) or one of nine alternative routes. As a general rule, the closer you get to Lake Constance, the more orchards you will see mixed in with the fields and forests. And the closer you get to the Alps, the longer the climbs, but also the more waterfalls, gorges, cheese dairies – and Neuschwanstein Castle.

Start and finish: e.g. Füssen
Length: 475 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route

Saar-Palatinate region: Glan-Blies Cycle Route

Blieskastel: Overlooking the Chapel of the Holy Cross of Monastery Blieskastel ©DZT (Christof Herdt)

The Glan-Blies Cycle Route goes to the borders, specifically the German-French border. The first few kilometers of the 128-kilometer route run through neighboring Lorraine. The route does not push you to your physical limits – on the contrary: winding its way through the idyllic river valleys of the Glan and Blies, it runs for long stretches on disused railway lines or alongside the Draisinenbahn, making it particularly suitable for families with children. Numerous ponds, playgrounds, and castles add to the appeal!

Start: Sarreguemines (F)/Saargemünd, destination: Staudernheim
Length: 131 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route

Münsterland: Hohe Mark Cycle Route

Hohe Mark? High enthusiasm! Forests, moors, heathland, and parkland make for a varied cycle route. It is also family-friendly, as it can be easily adapted with various shortcuts. Even children can easily master the mostly flat, low-traffic route through the Hohe Mark Nature Park. There are also many lakes (suitable for swimming) and plenty to see for the younger generation: castles, moated castles, and around 400 Dülmen wild horses, the last of their kind in Europe.

Start and finish: e.g. in Bocholt or Borken
Length: 280 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route

NRW/Hesse: Eder Cycle Route

Waldeck-Frankenberg: Small harbor on Lake Edersee ©Adobe Stock (Comofoto)

The 166-kilometer cycle route gently follows the course of the Eder from its source in the Rothaar Mountains to its confluence with the Fulda. The route, which mostly runs close to the river, leads through forests, meadows, and charming half-timbered towns. One of the reasons for the 4-star rating by the ADFC is the great tourist infrastructure, such as the numerous bathing spots on Lake Eder. The Kellerwald-Edersee National Park with its UNESCO World Heritage beech forests is an absolute highlight in any case.

Start: Erndtebrück, destination: Baunatal-Guntershausen
Length: 166 kilometers
ADFC classification: 4-star ADFC quality cycle route