Overview
This magnificent ride begins under the Gothic spires of Cologne Cathedral. Over four days riding you’ll visit quaint and colourful German villages, cycle along the river Rhine and past incredible and imposing fairytale castles. We finish under the stunning double towers of Munich cathedral.
On Day 1 you’ll fly out to meet the rest of the group and More Adventure team in Cologne who will have transferred your bicycles to Cologne ready to ride. On Day 6 you’ll fly back to London, the More Adventure team will be transferring your bicycles back to London for you (location and timings TBC).
Highlights
- Riding through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Castle spotting along the steep-sided meandering valleys of the Rhine
- Visiting Bonn, the birthplace of Beethoven
- Crossing the Odenwald hills through farmland and windfarms
- Quaint and colourful German villages of Bavaria
- Finishing the ride under the iconic cathedral of Munich
Our Star Ratings
Here is an explanation of our cycling trip grades. Please bear in mind that total ascent, wind, rain and general riding conditions can play as important factors as the daily distances involved. Whilst we have stated some example distances, the overall difficulty assigned to each trip will encompass a range of these factors. If you are at all unsure of whether you think the trip is suitable, please contact us.
Easy: Suitable for those new to cycling seeking an introductory and very relaxed yet active experience on two wheels. Easy riding on short, flat and/or gently undulating routes. Approx 20 – 40 miles a day
Relaxed: Undulating terrain with occasional minor undulations for semi-regular novices who wish to develop fitness and ability. May include a few short steep climbs. Approx 40 – 50 miles a day
Moderate: Designed for cyclists with a good level of riding experience and fitness, and are comfortable riding for full days in the saddle. Routes will include some steep and/or sustained climbs. Not for those completely new to cycling. Approx 50 – 80 miles a day
Challenging: Routes with multiple steep and sustained climbs and technical descents and/or long distances. Riders need to be have a high level of fitness and stamina in addition to experience in riding over extended distances and/or tackling long ascents and descents. Approx 70 – 110 miles a day
Advanced: Designed for experienced cyclists with an excellent level of fitness and stamina. Routes are consistently long with multiple serious and steep ascents and descents throughout. High altitude ascents may be undertaken followed by technically demanding descents. Approx 80 – 120 miles a day
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Cologne from London
The trip starts at our hotel in Cologne where you’ll be met by the More Adventure team and the rest of the group. Your bicycles will also have been transported to the hotel ready to ride. Here we’ll have a trip briefing and first evening meal together in preparation to begin the ride early the following day.
Day 2: Cologne to Bingen am Rhein
102 miles & 1000 feet / 165 km & 300 metres
The ride begins directly underneath the gothic cathedral of Cologne where we finished our ride from London back in 2019. After a quick team photo we begin our day following the Rhine river south to Bonn. The birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, Bonn was once the capital of West Germany and is now a thriving university city. Continuing south, we meander along the Rhine passing Stolzenfels Castle and Marksburg Castle, perched high up in the hills above Koblenz, just two of the many impressive fortifications that line the river. Our overnight stop is the town of Bingen am Rhein.
Day 3: Bingen am Rhein to Miltenberg
90 miles & 2000 feet / 149 km & 600 metres
We ride east today continuing to follow the Rhine through the city of Mainz before leaving the river to enter the Odenwald hills, a range of hills between the Rhine-Main Lowlands and the Kraichgau to the south. We’ll ride through the city of Darmstadt before tackling our climb of the day which tops out near the Windpark Binselberg, a windfarm with stupendous views of the valleys below. After a dazzling descent we cross the border from Hessen into Bavaria, renowned for pristine countryside, clean air, a wealth of culture and a laid-back, welcoming attitude. We join the river Main and head south for a far more gentle roll into our overnight stop this evening, the pretty town of Miltenberg.
Day 4: Miltenberg to Nördlingen
102 miles & 4400 feet / 165 km & 1400 metres
We leave Miltenberg to the southeast with a gradual climb up to Hardheim before a great descent just beyond Schweinberg. At Tauberbischofsheim we join the river Tauber and head south to the pretty town of Bad Mergentheim, home to a picturesque old town hall and market place. Tauberbischofsheim is also a popular spa town and was once the headquarters of the Teutonic Order. The Deutschordensschloss, a distinctive 12th century castle was once the home base of the Teutonic Knights and is now the most popular attraction of the town. We continue to Markelsheim where our second main climb of the day begins, with the summit at the small town of Schrozberg in the state of Baden-Württemberg. We maintain our height for the rest of the day with an undulating route to our overnight stop at Nördlingen, famous for the Scharlachrennen (Scarlet Race), a horse race tournament that was first mentioned in 1463.
Day 5: Nördlingen to Munich
91 miles & 2600 feet / 146 km & 800 metres
The final day’s ride begins heading southeast to the town of Harburg, situated on the river Wörnitz. We cross over the Wörnitz in a beautiful stone bridge before following it south, skirting Donauwörth which lies on the junction of the Danube and Wörnitz. Here we turn south and gradually climb following the river Lech then through the Eurasburger Forest in Upper Bavaria. We’ll soon reach the outskirts of Munich and to the end of the ride under the two Gothic towers of the Frauenkirche. Congratulations, you made it! After some celebratory team photos we’ll make our way to our hotel for a celebratory meal and well-earned rest.
Day 6: Munich to London
Your bicycles and luggage will be driven back to the UK for pickup (location and time TBC). You will catch a flight back from Munich to collect your bicycle from the designated pickup point in London (location and time TBC).
This itinerary is a guide only and can sometimes be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to uphold the proposed daily mileages, this cannot be guaranteed due to changes to hotel bookings.
Map
Includes
- Cycle guides
- Support driver & vehicle throughout
- 5 x night’s hotel accommodation
- 5 x breakfasts
- 4 x lunches
- Bicycle mechanical support
- First Aid cover
- All luggage transported during the trip
- GPX files of the route
- Bicycle transfers from the UK to Germany & return
- All relevant paperwork for transporting bicycles into/out of the EU
- Joining Instructions and trip information
- Flights to Cologne from London*
- Flights to London from Munich*
*booked and provided by CCLG
Not Included
- Bicycle and Helmet
- Taxi transfers from Cologne airport / to Munich airport
- Evening meals, drinks and snacks
- Optional excursions in Munich
- Personal Travel Insurance
FAQs
Are there many hills on this trip?
Yes there is rolling countryside riding throughout the trip.
Will our bicycles and luggage be transferred back to London at the end of the trip?
Yes, the support vehicle will depart from Munich on Day 5 and drop your bicycle at a central location (TBC) in London for pickup.
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