Lower Rhine Route cycle path
The longest network of cycle paths in Germany covers easy, flat terrain
The Lower Rhine region has Germany’s longest network of cycle paths: on the Lower Rhine Route, cyclists ride across Rhine dikes on flat, tarmacked paths.
Germany’s longest network of cycle paths can be found in the Lower Rhine region of NRW. With a total length of more than 2,000 kilometres, the Niederrheinroute (Lower Rhine Route) cycle path is divided into 1,215 kilometres of main paths and 820 kilometres of connecting paths. The main route is well-signposted and easy to identify: A wavy blue line represents the Rhine and the red arrow shows the direction. A green arrow points cyclists in the direction of a connecting path. Where the main and connecting paths intersect, the signposts also indicate the distance to the nearest town. This makes it easy for cyclists to change their plans on a whim.
Since few (if any) cyclists would be able to complete this mighty 2,000 km stretch in one go, a variety of recommended single- or multiple-day tours are available. The Lower Rhine Route almost exclusively follows tarmacked forest and farm roads, country tracks and Rhine dikes, and takes in interesting sights such as mills, castles, stately homes and historic old towns. Particular highlights include the idyllic Rhine floodplains and the views from the dike paths.
For cyclists, the highlight of the Lower Rhine events calendar is the Niederrheinischer Radwandertag (Lower Rhine Cycling Day), which is held every year on the Lower Rhine Route on the first Sunday in July. This cycling event has been run by 55 towns in the districts of Wesel, Kleve, Heinsberg, Viersen and Neuss since 2001, attracting up to 30,000 visitors annually.
More information:
Niederrheinischer Radwandertag (Lower Rhine Cycling Day) held on first Sunday in July every year
