Cycling with children

A leisurely cycle through the mountains? It's child's play on former railway lines: they have hardly any gradients, very few junctions and are usually far away from roads - making them ideal for family cycle tours. Bridges, viaducts and tunnels not only ensure a pleasant level of exertion along the way, but also provide an extra dose of variety.

With a total length of around 50 kilometres, the Niederbergbahn panoramic cycle route between Essen and Wuppertal is easy to master. There are also many destinations along the way, including the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann and the time tunnel in Wülfrath, which simulates a journey through 400 million years of the earth's history.

The Vennbahn cycle route takes you through three countries - Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg - from Aachen to Troisvierges in Luxembourg. Along the way, you can read stories about Charlemagne, fire and steam as well as coffee smuggling at the border, all presented in a child-friendly way. And that's not all: ice cream, cake and regional specialities are also available as snacks along the way.

Rivers have been carving their way through the landscape for thousands of years - and along their banks they provide plenty of low-gradient cycling fun, peppered with an exciting mix of nature, culture and history. The Ruhr Valley Cycle Route, which runs for a total of 240 kilometres from the source of the Ruhr near Winterberg in the Sauerland region to where it flows into the Rhine near Duisburg, is one of the most popular river cycle routes in Germany thanks to its wealth of experiences. You can also take a break from pedalling: along the way, you can combine the route with a canoe, passenger boat or rail bus. Families often opt for shorter sections, especially in the Ruhr region, such as from Lake Kemnader in Bochum to Lake Baldeney in Essen.

There are special stage suggestions for children on the Sieg cycle path: the twelve to 30 kilometre-long routes include stations that promise extra fun, such as playgrounds, basketball facilities, swimming opportunities, adventure trails with hands-on stations or the only one-man ferry in Germany. A children's map provides an overview of the adventure options along the approximately 65-kilometre-long river cycle path from Windeck-Rosbach to the mouth of the Sieg River in the Rhine. Additional discoveries and encounters along the way are also possible. If you run out of steam along the way: trains from nearby railway stations offer alternative means of transport.

Cyclists can see pink in Münsterland, more precisely in the Zwillbrocker Venn: flamingos can be observed there every year from March to July, and if breeding is successful, until September. The Flamingo Route, which is around 450 kilometres long, leads through the bird paradise as well as other nature reserves and places in Germany and the Netherlands.

Families who love sporting challenges will find what they are looking for in the Sauerland: 550 metres in altitude have to be conquered on the Kinderland trekking route in Schmallenberg. Too much of a good thing? No problem, because there are also shorter alternatives for the 50-kilometre route, which leads past wooden adventure trails, playgrounds and an old slate mine, among other things: if the little bikers run out of breath along the way, the route can be shortened as required at four intersections.

The route in the Sauerland is less sweat-inducing, following former railway lines from place to place. However, there are still plenty of opportunities to cool off along the way: For example, you can take a dip on a tour along the Möhne Valley cycle path, which connects Brilon and Arnsberg on old railway lines. A refreshing dip in the Möhne reservoir is an absolute must, and not just for families. A shore tour leads directly along the lake.

The 700 metre long bat tunnel near Kückelheim on the Sauerland Cycle Ring is well worth a stop, as many different species of nocturnal animals have been spotted there.

Dismount, park your bike and experience even more family fun? Definitely recommended! Many cycle paths offer extra adventures and exciting rest stops along the way. Once on the Roman-Lippe Route between Detmold and Xanten, you should definitely plan a longer visit to the Xanten Archaeological Park with its Roman Museum. Children and adults can experience antiquity up close here. The themed loops that complement the main route are particularly suitable for family excursions and lead past castles, lakes and other sights.