Cycling with children

Fancy a leisurely cycle through the mountains? It’s child’s play on former Railway lines: they’re almost entirely flat, have very few junctions and are usually well away from roads – making them ideal for family cycling trips. Bridges, viaducts and tunnels not only ensure a pleasant level of exertion along the way, but also add an extra touch of variety. 

With a total length of around 50 kilometres, the Niederbergbahn Panorama Cycle Route between Essen and Wuppertal is well within your reach. There are also plenty of stops along the way, including the Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann and the Time Tunnel in Wülfrath, which simulates a journey through 400 million years of Earth’s history.

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

For thousands of years, rivers have carved their way through the landscape – and, as a result, offer plenty of low-gradient cycling fun along their banks, interspersed with an exciting mix of nature, culture and history. The RuhrtalRadweg (Ruhr Valley cycle path), which runs for a total of 240 kilometres from the source of the Ruhr near Winterberg in the Sauerland to its confluence with the Rhine near Duisburg, is one of Germany’s most popular river cycle routes, not least because of the wealth of experiences it offers. There’s a break from pedalling too: along the way, you can combine cycling with canoeing, passenger boat trips or railbus journeys. Families, particularly in the Ruhr Area, often opt for shorter sections, such as from Lake Kemnade in Bochum to Lake Baldeney in Essen.

The Sieg cycle path features specially designed stage suggestions for children: the routes, ranging from 12 to 30 kilometres in length, include stops that promise extra fun, such as playgrounds, basketball courts, swimming spots, educational adventure trails with interactive stations, and Germany’s only one-man ferry. A children’s map provides an overview of the activities available along the approximately 65-kilometre-long river cycle route from Windeck-Rosbach to where the Sieg flows into the Rhine. There are also plenty of opportunities for further discoveries and new encounters along the way. If you do run out of steam along the way, trains from nearby stations offer alternative ways to get around.

Cyclists in the Münsterland region – or, to be more precise, in the Zwillbrocker Venn – are treated to a splash of pink: flamingos can be spotted there every year from March to July, and if the breeding season is successful, even as late as September. The Flamingo Route, which is around 450 kilometres long, winds its way through this bird paradise as well as other nature reserves and towns in Germany and the Netherlands.

Families who love sporting challenges will find just what they’re looking for in the Sauerland: the Kinderland trekking route in Schmallenberg involves a 550-metre climb. Too much of a good thing? No problem at all, because there are also shorter alternatives to the route, which is just over 50 kilometres long in total and takes in, amongst other things, a forest adventure trail, playgrounds and an old slate mine: Should the young cyclists run out of steam along the way, the route can be shortened as desired at four junctions.

In the Sauerland, cycling from town to town along former Railway lines is a less strenuous option. However, there are still plenty of great ways to cool off along the way: for example, you can take a dip on a ride along the Möhnetal Cycle Route, which connects Brilon and Arnsberg via old Railway lines. A refreshing dip in the Möhne Reservoir is an absolute must, and not just for families. A lakeside route takes you right along the shore. 

On the Sauerland Cycle Ring, the 700-metre-long bat tunnel near Kückelheim is well worth a stop; a wide variety of species of these nocturnal animals have been spotted there.

Get off your bike, park it and experience even more family fun? Highly recommended! Many cycle routes offer extra adventures and exciting places to stop off along the way. If you’re cycling along the Römer-Lippe-Route between Detmold and Xanten, you should definitely plan a longer visit to the Xanten Archaeological Park with its Roman Museum. Here, children and adults alike can experience antiquity up close. The themed circular trails, which complement the main route, are particularly well-suited to family outings and take you past castles, lakes and other sights.