Family bike tour through Germany: the best routes & tips!

The most beautiful routes for a bike tour with the family

Bike tours in particular are a popular excursion option for the whole family. We'll show you the most beautiful routes!

The bicycle has become a popular alternative to the car when it comes to exploring the surrounding area and discovering exciting places. Instead of traffic jams, looking for parking spaces and exhaust fumes, there is free travel, plenty of fresh air and exercise and exciting adventures in nature.

Especially in spring and summer, many families appreciate a bike tour as a little break in between . Even on vacation, parents like to get on their bikes with their children to explore their surroundings and go on exciting excursions. With the right equipment and good preparation, a bike tour can be an interesting change of pace even with small children.

On the bikes, ready, go!

To ensure that the bike tour is a relaxing and enjoyable experience for everyone, the right equipment is crucial. First and foremost, this includes the right bike. Children's bikes should grow with the child and be adjusted in size in good time. The saddle and handlebars can often be raised by a few centimeters in just a few simple steps, so that switching to the next larger bike model is not necessary for every little growth spurt.

The general size charts provided by manufacturers and retailers, which link the inch measurements of common bicycle sizes to the height and age of children, should not be taken as a blanket purchase recommendation. It makes more sense to choose the right bike together with the child in a well-stocked specialist shop by trying out and riding on it .

The key to the correct saddle height is that the distance between the seat and the ground should be approximately the same as the distance between the sole of the foot and the child's crotch. This ensures that young cyclists always have safe contact with the ground when stopping and can keep their bike under control . The legs can be slightly bent when riding. The handlebars should be adjusted so that an upright sitting position is achieved and the arms are slightly bent.

The age at which bike tours with children are a good idea depends on how confidently the little ones are in the saddle and whether cycling has already become a daily habit for them. Primary school children are often able to cover distances of 10 to 15 kilometers per day. For children aged 10 and over who cycle regularly in everyday life, easy bike tours of up to 30 kilometers per day are also suitable.

Bike tours are not only an exciting excursion option when all the family members are firmly in the saddle. Even very small children can go on long journeys. Sitting in a bike seat as a passenger with mum or dad is wonderfully comfortable and there is so much to see. A popular alternative is a bike trailer . They have the advantage that their canopy offers protection from the sun, rain and wind and also provides a comfortable place for very small passengers to take a short rest. In recent years , cargo bikes with electric motors have become increasingly popular as family carriages. They offer plenty of space for small passengers or luggage and provisions. Equipped with an electric motor, they can help mum and dad to transport the extra weight even on more demanding routes.

Germany has many beautiful bike tours for families.

There are routes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty throughout Germany, which are sure to please cyclists of all ages. From the Isar through the Altmühl Valley to the Baltic Sea, you'll cycle through stunning landscapes, past interesting sights and always in search of fun and adventure.

These are the most beautiful bike tours in Germany for the whole family

Families don't have to look too far when looking for interesting, scenic and manageable bike tours. There are routes throughout Germany that are suitable for the whole family and have attractive stops. Cycling fans should definitely try these tours:

1. The Altmühl Route

The Altmühltal Nature Park is a popular travel destination for families. The region around the Franconian lake district has a lot to offer outdoor fans. The Altmühl flows leisurely through untouched natural landscapes. Historic towns, mysterious monasteries, exciting adventure playgrounds and interesting fossil sites await on its banks. Families can experience many of these exciting destinations on the Altmühl route.

The Altmühl route is 166 kilometers long one way. Anyone who wants to return to the starting point has to cover around 250 kilometers. Some sections can also be covered by public transport. A train connection is available for a relaxed return trip to the starting point.

It starts in the beautiful historic town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber . The Altmühl spring is very close by. This is where the Altmühl rises and flows for 227 kilometers through Bavaria until it flows into the Danube near Kelheim. The Altmühl route follows the gentle course of the Altmühl through the Franconian lake landscape, past towns such as Gunzenhausen and Essing.

The route is classified as easy and can also be managed by families with small children. Large parts of the cycle tour lead away from busy traffic routes over traffic-calmed roads, well-developed cycle paths and field and forest paths. There are hardly any differences in altitude, but there is a lot to discover on either side of the path. The lush banks of the Altmühl with their lush meadows and woodland areas invite you to take long picnic breaks. The Altmühl route comes to an interesting end when the river flows into the proud Danube near Kelheim.

2. The Danube Cycle Path

Families who have discovered their passion for cycling tours together simply cannot miss the Danube Cycle Path. It is considered an absolute classic for cycling fans and is a must if you want to explore the beauty of Germany on two wheels.

The entire route is almost 3,000 kilometers (2,850 km) long and can be completed in stages. The starting point is , how could it be otherwise, the source of the Danube near Donaueschingen . This is where the two rivers Brigach and Breg flow together and give rise to a river that is considered the second largest and second longest in Europe. The Danube flows through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine and flows into the Black Sea in an impressive delta in the Romanian-Ukrainian border region . This is also where the Danube Cycle Path ends.

The stages in Germany and Austria are particularly suitable for families. They run through mostly flat areas and are therefore also easy for children to manage. The cycle paths are largely car-free and offer many opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and let your gaze wander into the distance. A real highlight is the historic city of Passau , where the peb water park invites you to a visit full of fun and adventure.

3. The Elbe Cycle Route

The Elbe Cycle Route does not run entirely through Germany, but a beautiful section runs through the country. The tour begins at the source of the Elbe in the Czech Giant Mountains and leads from there through Saxony, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein . The route ends near Cuxhaven , where the Elbe flows into the North Sea.

While the Elbe Cycle Route in the North Sea region is particularly flat and therefore family-friendly, sections further south lead through hillier and therefore somewhat more challenging terrain. The absolute must-sees along the route include the beautiful landscapes of the Lüneburg Heath and the Saxon Wine Route, as well as the cities of Dresden, Hamburg and Meissen, which is famous for its porcelain factory.

The Elbe Cycle Route is considered one of the most varied cycle tours in Europe and the sections in Germany alone offer a diverse cross-section of some of the most interesting regions in our country. This family-friendly cycle route is ideal for a little German tour .

4. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route

The Baltic Sea is one of the most attractive travel destinations for families. It's no wonder that the Baltic Sea Cycle Route is one of the highlights for cycling-loving parents and children. It stretches for around 1,000 kilometers and leads from Flensburg to the popular holiday island of Usedom .

What makes the Baltic Sea Cycle Route so attractive for a family trip is not only the Baltic Sea flair but also the variety of different sections and stages. Here, families can decide which destinations they want to set along the way and where they want to stop for a break, based on their personal preferences.

The Baltic Sea Cycle Route is particularly suitable for families with small children because it runs comfortably straight ahead for long stretches without any significant elevation gain . The flat landscape structure of the Baltic Sea region makes the area a particularly bike-friendly route. There is plenty to discover on both sides of the path, which increases the fun factor of this bike tour. Family-friendly beaches for a short detour to the Baltic Sea, adventure playgrounds, museums related to the Baltic Sea National Park , picturesque towns such as historic Wismar, horse riding stables and sheep farms and lots of untouched nature.

Relaxed cycling, enjoying the wind and the salty sea air and the sea always within reach - this is how the Baltic Sea Cycle Route attracts many families to explore, especially in spring and summer .