Welcome to the Rhine Cycle Path 2012!

The Rhine: The symbol of German Romanticism between Lorely and knight´s castles. It is also the embodiment of German-French conflicts as well as friendships and the German-Swiss relationship. As the "Neder Rijn" and "Waal" it is as typically Dutch as Gouda and Genever, and even Austria leaves its mark on the river with the regulation of the Rhine where it enters Lake Constance.

Young Alpen Rhine
After leaving its source in Lai da Tuma, at a height of 2,343 metres, the young Rhine races through the Valley towards Chur.  Between Ilanz and Bonaduz the Rhine buried through a 10,000 year old landslide area and created the 400 metre deep Rhine ravine. Chur is known as the oldest city in Switzerland, even the Romans had an important settlement in the area on the route from Northern Italy over to alps towards Lake Constance. Medieval castles await visitors in Sargans, the capital city of Liechtenstein; Vaduz and in the Austrian town of Feldkirch.

Lake Constance and the Upper Rhine
The medieval town of Stein am Rhein at the exit of Lake Constance, the thundering Rheinfall waterfall – Central Europe’s largest waterfall – and the pulsing Swiss metropolis of Basel are all destinations along the trip from Lake Constance, along the southern Black Forest to the Danube Bend between Germany, Switzerland and France. There are plenty of opportunities to make a detour to the left or right of the river which separates as well as binds Germany with Switzerland, for example the historical wooden bridge between the German city Bad Säckingen and the Swiss commune Stein.

More than just World Heritage
Between Straßburg and Cologne the Rhine flows through an impressive, cultivated landscape. The cathedral in Straßburg, the majestic churches in Speyer, Mainz and Cologne and not least the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, which due to its hill top castles was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, are some of the highlights on this tour. Not only the unique wealth of well known historical buildings in unique concentration, but also the fascinating scenery of one of the most important rivers in Europe characterize cycle tours through the romantic Rhine Valley and through the tributary valleys of the Lahn, Sieg, Ahr and Ruhr rivers. Comfortable wine taverns, hearty food and happy locals ensure a great atmosphere the whole year around and not just at carnival time.

Let yourself be pleasantly surprised by the variety of the Rhine cycle path. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Simon Mink & Peter Schuck

Managing Directors
Radweg-Reisen GmbH