Rhine Cycle Route: EuroVelo 15 Map and the 7 Sections to Ride

EuroVelo 15 from the Alps to the North Sea in seven sections, why its length is quoted four ways, and the real daily distances for Lake Constance to Strasbourg.

Hero Image

Don't want to read all this?

We've planned 800+ cycling trips. Send your dates, fitness and group size — we'll map the route and book every night.

Our cycling experts
Skip the research
Free — no obligation

The Rhine Cycle Route is often described as one long, flat towpath. It is not: the first 250 km are an Alpine descent, with gravel and real climbs below the Oberalp Pass. The route only flattens at Lake Constance, and from there to the North Sea, cycling along the Rhine is one of the easiest long rides in Europe.

This guide splits EuroVelo 15 into seven sections, gives the distance of each, and starts with the stretch we know best: our self-guided week from Constance to Strasbourg, with its daily kilometres and climb. For the rest of France, see our guide to cycling in France.

  • Length: 1,450 km on EuroVelo's count, about 1,230 km from Andermatt to the Hook of Holland

  • Countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands

  • Quality: 1,287 km certified by the European Cyclists' Federation, 87% of it with no or very low traffic

  • Season: April to October, and May onwards for the Alpine section

  • Our week: Constance to Strasbourg, 370 km over 7 riding days and 1,750 m of climbing

The Rheintorturm on the Rhine in Constance, the start town of our Lake Constance to Strasbourg week

How Long Is the Rhine Cycle Route?

Four lengths are in print, and each is right for what it measures. The classic figure of about 1,230 km follows one bank from Andermatt to the Hook of Holland. Cicerone's guidebook starts higher, at the 2,046 m Oberalp Pass, and counts 1,368 km in 27 stages.

EuroVelo now quotes 1,450 km. That total counts the variants on both banks, which run side by side for long stretches, and the 62 km added in 2025 on the right bank between Trübbach and Lustenau. That extension brought Liechtenstein and Austria onto the route, which now crosses six countries.

The covered bridge at Rheinau, one of the High Rhine crossings where the route changes bank between Switzerland and Germany

Time depends on your daily distance. Cicerone's stages average just over 50 km, which makes two to three weeks for the whole river. Riders in forum reports took between 14 and 21 days. At 145 km a day it can be done in 10, which leaves no time for the towns.

The whole route is signed with the EuroVelo 15 logo, twelve yellow stars around the number on a blue panel, and in Switzerland it is also national route 2. It was first certified in 2014, and the current certificate runs to September 2030.

Rhine Cycle Route Map and Sections

The route falls into seven sections by landscape. Riders usually go downstream, from 2,046 m at the Oberalp Pass to sea level, and long stretches have a signed route on both banks. Only the first section climbs seriously; after Constance the gradients are short.

The table gives Cicerone's stage distances for the 1,368 km line from the Oberalp Pass, grouped by section, with the entry number in this guide.

Section

From and to

km

Riding

Entry

Alpine Rhine

Oberalp Pass to Constance

247.5

climbs, some gravel, Lake Constance shore

2

High Rhine

Constance to Basel

174

Rhine Falls, wooden bridges, both banks

1

Upper Rhine south

Basel to Strasbourg

134.5

canal towpath or the German bank

1 and 3

Upper Rhine north

Strasbourg to Mainz

243.5

flood dykes, Speyer, Worms

4

Rhine Gorge

Mainz to Koblenz

99

castles and vineyards in a UNESCO valley

5

Lower Rhine

Koblenz to Arnhem

301.5

Bonn, Cologne, the Ruhr

6

Rhine Delta

Arnhem to the Hook of Holland

168

dykes, ferries, windmills

7

For navigation, EuroVelo publishes free GPX tracks of the whole route on an interactive map, with the finished and unfinished parts marked. Our own week has its route map in entry 1 below.

Cycling the Rhine Section by Section

Entries are numbered for navigation, not ranked: first our own week from Constance to Strasbourg, then the other six from source to sea.

1. Lake Constance to Strasbourg: The High Rhine and the Black Forest Foothills

The Rhine Falls below Laufen Castle, 150 m wide and 23 m high, reached at the end of day 2

  • Distance: 370 km over 7 riding days, 40 to 65 km a day

  • Duration: 9 days and 8 nights, self-guided, April to October

  • Route: Constance, Schaffhausen, Waldshut, Basel, Badenweiler, Breisach, Ettenheim, Strasbourg

  • Surface: cycle paths and quiet country roads, with some gravel

  • Difficulty: level 3 of 5, 1,750 m of climbing over the week

  • Best for: a first multi-day ride, with hotels booked and luggage moved

Days 2 to 4 follow the High Rhine, where the river is the border between Switzerland and Germany. Day 2 runs 50 km along the Untersee, past Napoleon's Arenenberg and medieval Stein am Rhein, to Schaffhausen. The Rhine Falls end the first riding day, carrying 600 cubic metres of water a second in summer.

Day 3 is the hardest of the week at 60 km and 480 m, over vineyard hills to Eglisau and Kaiserstuhl and past Koblenz in Switzerland, where the Aare joins the Rhine, to Waldshut. Day 4 is 65 km and 220 m to Basel, crossing the border at Rheinfelden.

Bad Säckingen's covered wooden bridge, at 204 m the longest in Europe, on the High Rhine between Waldshut and Basel

From Basel the tour leaves the river. Day 5 crosses the Markgräflerland wine villages to Badenweiler's Roman baths, and day 6 descends through Staufen to Freiburg and its 116 m Münster tower. It answers the usual question of which bank to ride from Basel: vineyards and old towns instead of the canal.

Map

The map shows the route bending east of the Rhine on days 5 and 6 and rejoining it at Breisach. Day 7 is the flattest, 40 km and 40 m to Ettenheim, so there is time for the Europa-Park detour. Day 8 crosses into France on the Canal du Rhône au Rhin towpath into Strasbourg.

The Schwabentor gate in Freiburg, the old town the tour crosses on day 6 between Staufen and Breisach

On our Rhine River Bike Tour, every night is in a three- or four-star hotel with breakfast, and your luggage moves ahead each morning. The GPS app carries the main line and shorter options, and road, gravel or e-bikes can be hired.

Riders who want the source too can ride the Alpine section first.

2. The Alpine Rhine: Source to Lake Constance

The Vorderrhein in the Ruinaulta gorge between Ilanz and Reichenau, on the Alpine section's way down to Chur

  • Distance: 247.5 km from the Oberalp Pass to Constance

  • Start: Oberalp Pass at 2,046 m; the source lake, Lai da Tuma, sits at 2,345 m

  • Surface: paved roads and forest tracks, with gravel in places

  • Best for: fit riders at ease on mountain roads

The source is a walk above the Oberalp Pass, and the first stage drops hard: Cicerone's stage 1 falls from 2,046 m to Ilanz at 705 m in 52 km. Between Andermatt and Breil/Brigels the road carries mixed and heavy traffic, and EuroVelo advises that stretch for experienced riders only.

Snow can lie between Andermatt and Chur until May, so this is the one section with a short season. Below Chur the valley widens and flattens. The 2025 right-bank variant passes Vaduz in Liechtenstein, and from Bregenz the route follows the lake shore for 58 km to Constance.

3. Basel to Strasbourg and Lauterbourg: The Alsace Bank

Plane trees along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, the towpath the route follows on the French bank towards Strasbourg

  • Distance: about 180 km from Huningue to Lauterbourg

  • Surface: 57% on dedicated cycle lanes, with almost no climbing

  • Grade: "Beginner" on France Vélo Tourisme's scale

  • Our tour: rides the German bank from Basel and joins the canal on day 8

From Huningue, beside Basel, the only French part of the route follows the Canal du Rhône au Rhin. It passes the Kembs-Niffer lock, with buildings by Le Corbusier, Ottmarsheim's octagonal church and Neuf-Brisach, Vauban's fortress town and a UNESCO site since 2008.

About 20 locks break up the towpath to Strasbourg. Its Grande-Île and Neustadt districts are UNESCO-listed, and its 600 km of cycle paths make the largest city cycle network in France. North of the city the route uses more shared lanes past the Gambsheim locks to Lauterbourg, the last town in Alsace.

Half-timbered houses on the Ill in Strasbourg's Petite France, the end of the canal stage and of our tour

Riders disagree about which bank to take. The French side is paved, flat and safe for families, but the canal runs straight for long stretches. The German side has gravel but more variety. Bridges at Huningue, Chalampé, Strasbourg and Gambsheim, and ferries at Rhinau, Drusenheim and Seltz, let you switch.

For Alsace Wine Route cycling, the signed Alsace Vineyard Cycle Route runs 131.5 km from Marlenheim to Thann along the foot of the Vosges, through Obernai and Colmar. Riding it instead of the canal trades a flat towpath for wine villages and short climbs. France Vélo Tourisme lists 33 Accueil Vélo stops on the French bank.

4. Strasbourg to Mainz: Speyer, Worms and the Flood Plain

Speyer Cathedral, founded in 1030 and UNESCO-listed since 1981, the main stop between Karlsruhe and Worms

  • Distance: 243.5 km from Strasbourg to Mainz

  • Surface: flood dykes and paved paths, flat throughout

  • Best for: covering distance between Alsace and the gorge

This is the plainest section. Between Strasbourg and Mannheim the path often follows flood dykes out of sight of the water, and riders on forums rate it the dullest part of the route. Speyer and Worms are the reasons to slow down: the cathedral founded in 1030, and one of Germany's oldest cities.

Mannheim has one of the largest Baroque palaces in Europe, and ferries cross the river at several points. Riders recommend the west bank from Germersheim for its smooth tarmac.

5. The Rhine Gorge: Mainz to Koblenz

Burg Katz above St. Goarshausen, on the east bank of the gorge where the cycle path has gaps

  • Distance: 99 km from Mainz to Koblenz

  • Surface: riverside paths, some beside the road

  • Best for: castles, vineyards and short days

The gorge is the route's most famous stretch. The 65 km from Bingen and Rüdesheim to Koblenz is the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, UNESCO-listed in 2002 for its castles, terraced vineyards and some 60 small towns, with the Loreley rock halfway along.

The valley is narrow, so the path sometimes runs beside the road and through towns. The east bank has gaps between Kestert and St. Goarshausen, and EuroVelo advises switching to the west bank or taking a boat for that stretch.

The Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, where the Moselle joins the Rhine and our Moselle tour ends

Koblenz closes the section at the Deutsches Eck, where the Moselle flows in. Our Moselle tour ends here after 310 km from Metz through Schengen, Trier and Cochem, with only 540 m of climbing over five riding days.

It suits riders who want river riding with castles but less distance. The two rivers also join well: ride the Moselle to Koblenz, then turn upstream into the gorge.

Downstream of Koblenz the valley opens again towards Bonn.

6. The Lower Rhine: Bonn, Cologne and the Ruhr

Cologne Cathedral behind the Hohenzollern Bridge, its 157 m spires the landmark of the Lower Rhine section

  • Distance: 301.5 km from Koblenz to Arnhem

  • Surface: wide paved paths, flat

  • Best for: cities and industrial heritage

Cities set the pace here. Bonn has Beethoven's birthplace, and Cologne's cathedral, at 157 m the tallest twin-spired church in the world, stands beside the river. Düsseldorf follows, then Duisburg, Europe's biggest river port, where the Ruhr flows in.

Riders split over the industry: some find the harbours and chemical works dull; others stop at the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, a former ironworks you can climb. Past Xanten and its Roman remains, the scenery turns to quiet meadows before the Dutch border at Emmerich.

7. The Rhine Delta: Arnhem to the Hook of Holland

The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, the last city before the route reaches the North Sea at the Hook of Holland

  • Distance: 168 km from Arnhem to the Hook of Holland

  • Surface: dyke paths and ferry crossings

  • Best for: easy riding, if the wind allows

In the Netherlands the Rhine splits into several arms, and the route follows the Nederrijn on quiet dyke paths, crossing the water by ferry. The country is not entirely flat: the Veluwe foothills and the Utrechtse Heuvelrug between Arnhem and Wijk bij Duurstede need low gears.

Near the end, the 19 drainage mills of Kinderdijk are a UNESCO site, and Rotterdam's port leads to the Hook of Holland. Check ferry timetables and the wind before each Dutch day, because the recreational ferries keep a season of roughly April to September.

When to Cycle the Rhine

The route is rideable from April to October, but its sections open at different times.

Spring (April – June)

The High Rhine, Alsace and the gorge are in season from April, with orchards in flower and hotels still quiet. Wait until May for the Alpine section, when the snow between Andermatt and Chur has melted. The Netherlands is at its best from April, once the ferries run.

Summer (July – August)

Long days, lake swimming and festivals: the Seenachtfest in Constance and wine festivals in Freiburg and Breisach. It is also the hardest time to find rooms, so book early, especially for fireworks weekends in the gorge.

The Imperia statue at Constance harbour, where the Seenachtfest lake festival fills the start town in summer

Autumn (September – October)

The grape harvest runs through the vineyard sections, from Eglisau and the Markgräflerland to the Rheingau. Late September riders report days of 16 to 21°C with morning river fog. October is our last month, and with shorter light plan less distance than in June.

Winter (November – March)

Snow closes the Alpine passes, and our tours do not run. The French bank is rideable all year, with care in the coldest weeks.

Breisach below St. Stephen's Minster, the day 6 finish and one of the wine towns with its own festival

How to Get to the Rhine Cycle Route

Both ends of our week sit on main rail lines.

By Train

From London, Eurostar takes a bike to Paris only boxed or bagged. The fastest TGV from Paris to Strasbourg takes about 1 hour 45. A bagged bike rides free on TGV INOUI, and an assembled one costs €10 with a reservation. Details are on SNCF's bike page.

The glass dome of Strasbourg station, where TGVs from Paris arrive in about 1 hour 45 and our Rhine tour ends

In Switzerland, InterCity trains need a bike reservation from 21 March to 31 October. In Germany, IC, EC and ICE trains need a bike ticket and a reserved space, from €7.99.

The German High Rhine line between Rheinfelden and Erzingen has been closed since 26 April 2026, and replacement buses do not take bikes. From 10 October 2026 the closure extends to Basel Badischer Bahnhof, with electric trains due in December 2027. Plan days 3 and 4 of our tour as full riding days.

By Air

For Constance, fly to Zurich, about an hour from Constance by train. For Basel, the EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg has a bus to Basel SBB station every 7 to 10 minutes. From the Hook of Holland, Stena Line ferries sail to Harwich.

How Much It Costs

Our tour is priced per person. It includes 8 nights in three-star hotels with breakfast, luggage moved each day, the route guidebook, the GPS app and support while you ride. Tourist tax is the one item paid locally, and bike hire, a single room and airport transfers are quoted extras.

Basel Minster above the Rhine, where swimming in the river after day 4 costs nothing

The route itself is free. Switzerland is the expensive part, paid in Swiss francs. The Rhine Falls are free to see from Schlössli Wörth, while Schloss Laufen charges CHF 5 for its platforms. An SBB Bike Day Pass costs CHF 15, rising to CHF 16 from 13 December 2026.

What to Pack

The surfaces decide the bike. Switzerland and the German bank between Basel and Breisach have gravel stretches, so tyres of 32 mm or wider are more comfortable than racing tyres. Pack a rain shell, swim kit for Basel and the lakes, and a lock for town stops. On the 50 to 65 km days, two bottles cover the gaps between villages.

Walkers beside a Bächle water channel in Freiburg, the cobbled old town where day 6 is best seen on foot

Carry Swiss francs or a card, and check your phone plan: Switzerland is outside EU roaming rules. French law requires a bell, lights and reflectors, and a high-visibility vest outside towns at night for day 8. Only Austria requires helmets, and only for children under 12.

Ready to Ride the Rhine?

For a first long ride, Constance to Strasbourg gives the waterfall, the old towns and the vineyards in one week. For castles, ride the gorge; for a flat vineyard week in France itself, see our guide to cycling in Burgundy. Then send an inquiry with your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two to three weeks for the whole route at 50 to 70 km a day; Cicerone splits it into 27 stages of about 50 km. Some riders do it in 10 days at 145 km a day. Our Constance to Strasbourg section takes 7 riding days for 370 km.

Yes. EuroVelo 15 follows the river from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, signed throughout, and 1,287 km of it is certified for quality. Most of it is cycle path or quiet road, with mixed traffic only on the first Alpine stretch from Andermatt to Breil/Brigels.

Six: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France and the Netherlands. Liechtenstein and Austria joined in 2025 with a 62 km right-bank variant between Trübbach and Lustenau. France has about 180 km, from Huningue near Basel to Lauterbourg, mostly beside the Canal du Rhône au Rhin.

Yes, from Lake Constance onwards. The route is flat or gently rolling, 73% of the certified length suits all types of riders, and towns are close together for breaks. Leave out the Alpine section from Andermatt, which has steep descents, gravel and traffic.

The French bank follows the Canal du Rhône au Rhin: paved, flat and graded for beginners, but straight for long stretches. The German bank has gravel and more variety. Our tour goes further east, through the Markgräflerland vineyards and Freiburg, and joins the canal only for the last day.

Self-led bike adventures provide a tailor-made and flexible approach to cycling holidays, allowing you to discover at your leisure and modify your schedule or route whenever necessary. Our crew takes care of every detail, from accommodations and detailed plans to GPS guidance and ongoing assistance, ensuring a serene and immersive trip that offers independence, individuality, and authentic cultural encounters.

Our tours are grouped into three difficulty tiers: Leisurely, Moderate, and Challenging. The categorization is based on the typical day of the tour, even though there might be fluctuations in difficulty over the course of the trip.

Leisurely tours cater to those seeking a laid-back journey through breathtaking scenery, without the demand of traversing great distances or navigating tough terrains. These excursions usually span 30-50 km daily, with an altitude climb of up to 500m. This ensures ample opportunities to pause and soak in panoramas, savor regional dishes, and wander through picturesque towns and hamlets en route.

Moderate bike tours suit those seeking a harmonious blend of picturesque routes and a touch of challenge. Usually spanning 50-80 km daily with an altitude ascent of up to 1000m, these tours take you across captivating landscapes and delightful hamlets, offering a combination of level and undulating terrains. While providing ample opportunities to halt and delve deeper, they also ensure a rewarding cycling exercise.

Challenging bike tours cater to seasoned cyclists keen on testing their boundaries. Ranging from 80-120 km daily with an altitude rise of up to 2000m, these journeys involve navigating rigorous inclines and demanding terrains. However, the breathtaking vistas make the effort worthwhile. While these tours demand top-notch fitness and stamina, the euphoria of achievement felt at day’s end is unparalleled.

We’re committed to finding the perfect fit for you. We partner with several accommodation providers that align with our standards, though their availability can vary, particularly in high-demand periods. Additionally, we can tailor your holiday according to your tastes and financial plan, ensuring we pinpoint the most suitable option for your requirements.

Our cycling experts

Plan with a cycling expert

Free advice from a team that knows these routes inside out - real people, not a bot

Book a video callRecommended
Free - ask us anything about your trip
Send an inquiry
Tell us your dates, we'll send options
Call us · +1 2138570361
Mon-Fri · 9:00-18:00 CET
WhatsApp
Chat with a real agent

Hassle-Free

We take care of route planning, accommodations, luggage transfers, and all logistics, so you can focus purely on enjoying your ride.

Tried & Tested Adventures

Our cycling routes are hand-picked & tested, to ensure breathtaking landscapes, smooth roads, and maximum safety - giving you the perfect ride every day.

Unbeatable Support

Our 24/7 customer support is where we show our passion, ensuring your cycling holiday runs smoothly and your well-being is always our top priority.

Book with Confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.