Higher, faster, furtherGravel tours that challenge you

This tour will work your calves. Because the crisp climbs really pack a punch. A total of 1,250 metres in altitude have to be conquered between the towns of Ründeroth and Gummersbach. As a reward for the exertions of this ascent and descent, there are great views over the Bergisches Land from the "Haldy Tower", among other places. A visit to the nearby Aggertal cave or a detour to the Aggertal beach promise to cool you down.

Real gravel enthusiasts might be able to complete the challenging tour through the Rureifel in one day. But that would be far too bad! Because the tour around the shimmering blue Lake Rursee is not just a sporting highlight and requires a good level of fitness. The real stars of the tour are the wild and romantic nature of the Eifel National Park, the beautiful half-timbered community of Monschau and the idyllic valleys and picturesque villages. They all deserve more than just a quick glance. Perfect views in two senses for a varied, sporty and ambitious cycling holiday in the Eifel.

You can't get any higher in North Rhine-Westphalia. The summit of the highest mountain in the state, the Langenberg, lies 843 metres above sea level. So it's no wonder that the course around the Sauerland municipality of Olsberg has some challenging climbs to tackle away from tarmac roads. The Bruchhauser Steine (Bruchhauser stones) are downright overwhelming. The rock formation in the south of Olsberg is a national natural monument and is home to many rare animals and plants. If you haven't used up the energy in your calves after a strenuous few kilometres of cycling, it's worth climbing the stone steps.

Don't forget your tent! And bring your stamina! Both are a must on this tour through the Sauerland low mountain range landscape on the Hessian border. Because you won't be spending the night in a soft hotel bed, but in a sleeping bag in the open air. And the one or other climbing section as well as some technical passages are also on the tour plan. The descent from the Mühlenkopf ski jump, where a World Cup competition is held every year, is reserved exclusively for ski jumping aces. But you can take a look from the top of the hill.

As we all know, the Ruhr Area doesn't have any really high mountains to offer. However, the slag heaps left behind by the mining industry offer a varied "substitute". Ten of these hills, which should not be underestimated, are located along the 55-kilometre tour, which starts on the site of the former Colliery Ewald in Herten. The circular route offers casual trails and tricky bends, an intense experience of nature and the urban charm of the Ruhr region, as well as some open-air works of art. The best view of the entire region is to be had after the successfully completed mountain classification on the Mottbruchhalde.

There is no better way to combine city and countryside, culture and nature than on this 197-kilometre tour across the Münsterland region. Sometimes the route follows idyllic riverside paths along the Weser, Ems and Dortmund-Herne Canal, and sometimes there are scenic climbs in the Baumberge mountains. The city centre of Münster lures you into the hustle and bustle of big city life, while the picturesque old town streets of Tecklenburg are rather quieter. And with the medieval Vischering Castle in Lüdinghausen and Hülshoff Castle in Havixbeck, there are two places of cultural and historical significance along the way that could hardly be more different. So don't rush, just relax and enjoy!

100 metres high and 665 metres long. These are not the coordinates of this gravel tour, but the dimensions of Germany's longest suspension bridge, the Skywalk in Willingen. And even if it does sway a little, the view from up here whets the appetite for the subsequent cycle tour through the scenic beauty of the Sauerland. It takes you around Willingen without too many long climbs, but still requires a certain level of fitness. Because a total of 1,000 metres of elevation gain are still required over the 49 kilometres.

Although only just 300 metres above sea level, the Wiehengebirge really lives up to its name. This means that the 60-kilometre-long route is not short of tough climbs. And the descents, such as below the Wiehen Tower, are not without their challenges either. However, the tour also offers numerous scenic and cultural-historical features. Among other things, black rock called "imppsonite" was mined in Preußisch-Oldendorf until 1921. The quarry site on the Linkenberg is densely overgrown but still impressive. And of course the Mühlenkreis Minden-Lübbecke bears its name for a reason. As the "Galerieholländer", among other things, proves.