So I am about to do a thing. Cycle from Basel to Cologne and then back to Mannheim for relaxation and to switch off from work. This trip is going to start on Wednesday, May 28th 2025. For that I am starting this blog, so I can keep a diary for myself and whoever it may interest.
There is a network of pan-European cycling routes, called the EuroVelo network - and I am going to go loosely along a majority of number 15. From Basel to Karlsruhe, I am staying on the French side, then I’ll switch over.
How did I plan?
After looking at the various stages, I started mapping them out in Strava to get a feel for distances and elevation, then looked into my favourite travel planning tool, La Liste, deciding on which hotels I would like to stay at. That way I deviated from the official routing when necessary (it was necessary quite a lot). So here’s the itinerary:
| Stage | From | To | Hotel | Distance | Elevation |
|---|
| 1 | Basel SBB | Colmar | La Maison des Tetes | 81.8 | 67 |
| 2 | Colmar | Strasbourg | Maison Rouge | 73.9 | 43 |
| 3 | Strasbourg | Ettingen | Erbprinz | 76.5 | 92 |
| 4 | Ettingen | Deidesheim | Ketschauer Hof | 80.2 | 175 |
| 5 | Deidesheim | Wiesbaden | Nassauer Hof | 106.3 | 230 |
| 6 | Wiesbaden | Bingen | Papa Rhein | 32.4 | 86 |
| 7 | Bingen | Andernach | PURS | 86.6 | 147 |
| 9 | Andernach | Stommeln | | 99.6 | 166 |
| 10 | Stommeln | Mönchengladbach | | 33.5 | 160 |
| 11 | Cologne | Koblenz | Fährhaus | 99.4 | 201 |
| 12 | Koblenz | Köngernheim | Jordans | 96.8 | 275 |
| 13 | Köngernheim | Mannheim | | 56.4 | 270 |
I planned this all in a Google Sheets document and then pointed Claude at it to give me a list of all the POIs and sites I should look at while going from A to B… and this is what it came up with. I used Claude Sonnet 4 with Research on, a Zapier integration which exposed my Google Sheets and this prompt:
can you look at my google sheets, specifically the EV15 tour, and give me an overview on what I should look for on each day when cycling? POIs, landmarks, both on route and in the towns? provide the info in a useful table by date and location
EuroVelo 15 Rhine Cycle Route Points of Interest Guide
Tour Overview
Your cycling tour covers 923.4km along the Rhine Cycle Route (EuroVelo 15) from May 28 to June 10, 2025, passing through Switzerland, France, and Germany. The route includes three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and follows Europe’s most important river corridor.
Daily Points of Interest by Date and Location
May 28 (Wednesday): Basel → Colmar (81.8km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Basel | Basel Cathedral (Münster) | Historic Site | 30 min | Red sandstone cathedral with Rhine viewing terrace - best panoramic photo spot |
| Rhine Promenade & Buvettes | Rest Stop | 15 min | Riverside refreshment stands perfect for quick breaks |
| Dreiländerbrücke | Landmark | 10 min | World’s longest arched cyclist/pedestrian bridge connecting 3 countries |
| Augusta Raurica | Roman Site | 45 min | Ancient Roman archaeological site slightly off route |
| Route | Canal du Rhône au Rhin | Scenic Path | Continuous | Excellent towpath cycling with century-old plane trees providing shade |
| Rhine Crossings at Huningue | Infrastructure | 5 min | Multiple safe cycling bridges |
| Neuf-Brisach | UNESCO Vauban Fortifications | Heritage Site | 30 min | Octagonal star-shaped fortress - cycle the perimeter for best views |
| Ottmarsheim | Octagonal Romanesque Church | Architecture | 20 min | Rare architectural gem directly on route |
| Colmar | Little Venice (Petite Venise) | Historic Quarter | 45 min | Colorful half-timbered houses along canals - house colors indicate historic trades |
| Saint-Pierre Bridge | Photo Stop | 10 min | Best panoramic photography spot for Little Venice |
| Covered Market | Rest/Food | 30 min | 1865 building with local food vendors |
May 29 (Thursday): Colmar → Strasbourg (73.9km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Colmar Departure | Quai de la Poissonnerie | Historic Area | 15 min | Former fishing quarter with brightly colored houses |
| Route | Canal Towpath | Scenic Path | Continuous | Flat, well-paved path with ~20 historic locks to observe |
| Plane Tree Avenue | Natural Feature | Continuous | Century-old trees provide excellent sun protection |
| Villages | Artzenheim | Junction Point | 5 min | Route transitions from Colmar Canal to main canal |
| Neunkirch & Eschau | Traditional Villages | 10 min each | Characteristic Alsatian churches worth brief photo stops |
| Landscape | Ried Plain | Scenic Views | Continuous | Meadows and fields with Vosges Mountains and Black Forest backdrop |
| Strasbourg | Grande-Île (UNESCO) | World Heritage | 2 hours | First entire city center listed as World Heritage - Gothic cathedral with astronomical clock |
| Petite France | Historic Quarter | 45 min | Tanners’ quarter with canals and covered bridges |
| European Parliament | Modern Landmark | 20 min | Architectural landmark representing European unity |
| Cathedral Plaza | Major Sight | 30 min | Gothic masterpiece with single spire - accessible by bike |
May 30 (Friday): Strasbourg → Ettingen (76.5km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Strasbourg North | Robertsau Forest | Natural Area | Continuous | Splendid forest cycling path |
| Rhine Flood Barriers | Engineering | 10 min | Modern flood prevention with forest paths |
| La Wantzenau | Transition Zone | Scenic Area | Continuous | Urban to natural environment transition |
| Gambsheim | Great Locks | Infrastructure | 20 min | Europe’s largest fish pass - fascinating engineering |
| Sessenheim | Goethe Connection | Cultural Site | 15 min | Village where young Goethe fell in love |
| Offendorf | Musée de la Batellerie | Museum | 30 min | Rhine mariners and riverine traditions |
| Munchhausen | Nature Center | Environment | 20 min | Delta de la Sauer nature information |
| Lauterbourg | Fortified Town | Historic Site | 20 min | Last stop in Alsace before Germany |
| Route Features | Markgräfler Wine Region | Wine Area | Various | Renowned German wine region with vineyard views |
May 31 (Saturday): Rest Day
No cycling - explore local area or relax
June 1 (Sunday): Ettingen → Deidesheim (80.2km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Route | German Wine Route | Scenic Route | Continuous | Germany’s oldest tourist wine route (est. 1935) |
| Vineyard Panoramas | Scenic Views | Multiple stops | Gentle rolling hills with stunning views |
| Wine Villages | Various estates | Wine Culture | 30 min each | Direct access to tastings from bike path |
| Deidesheim | Medieval Town Center | Historic Area | 45 min | Half-timbered houses, original defense walls |
| St. Ulrich Church | Architecture | 20 min | Gothic church (1440-1480) with 70m tower |
| Wine Culture Museum | Museum | 30 min | Baroque former town hall showcasing wine history |
| Bassermann-Jordan Estate | Wine Tasting | 45 min | Pioneer of Spätlese style wines |
| Historic Jewish Quarter | Cultural Site | 20 min | 14th-century synagogue now community center |
June 2 (Monday): Deidesheim → Wiesbaden (106.3km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Speyer (if left bank) | Speyer Cathedral (UNESCO) | World Heritage | 45 min | Romanesque cathedral - intended as Occident’s largest church |
| Mainz Area | Rhine-Main Confluence | Geographic Feature | 15 min | Major river junction |
| Wine Region Gateway | Cultural Area | Various | Entry to famous Rheingau wine region |
| Route | Industrial Transition | Changing Landscape | Continuous | Medieval to modern Rhine corridor |
| Wiesbaden | Rhine Promenades | Cycling Path | Continuous | 16km of seamless paths |
| Theodor-Heuss-Brücke | Bridge | 10 min | Main bridge with cycling infrastructure |
| Spa Architecture | Historic Buildings | 30 min | Famous spa town atmosphere |
June 3 (Tuesday): Rest Day
No cycling - explore Wiesbaden spa facilities
June 4 (Wednesday): Wiesbaden → Bingen (32.4km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Route | Rheingau Vineyards | Wine Region | Multiple stops | South-facing slopes with Riesling vineyards |
| Wine Taverns | Rest Stops | 30 min | Traditional Straußwirtschaften along route |
| Rüdesheim (via ferry) | Niederwald Monument | Viewpoint | 45 min | Commemorates German unification - gondola accessible |
| Drosselgasse | Historic Street | 30 min | Famous narrow street with wine taverns |
| Bingen | UNESCO Heritage Start | Landmark | 15 min | Beginning of 65km World Heritage Rhine Gorge |
| Mouse Tower (Mäuseturm) | Historic Tower | 10 min | Toll tower on Rhine island |
| Burg Klopp | Castle | 30 min | Overlooks town with panoramic views |
| Rhine Ferry | Transport | 20 min | Scenic crossing to Rüdesheim |
June 5 (Thursday): Bingen → Andernach (86.6km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Rhine Gorge | 40+ Castles | UNESCO Heritage | Continuous | Most castle-dense river valley in world |
| Burg Rheinstein | Romantic Castle | 20 min | Well-preserved with gardens (visible from path) | |
| Bacharach | Medieval Town | Historic Site | 45 min | Perfect half-timbered houses, Werner Chapel ruins |
| Burg Stahleck | Castle/Hostel | 20 min | Now youth hostel with views |
| Kaub | Burg Pfalzgrafenstein | Island Castle | 30 min | Unique toll castle on Rhine island |
| Oberwesel | Medieval Walls | Historic Site | 30 min | Best-preserved city walls in region |
| Castle Schönburg | Viewpoint | 20 min | Dramatic rocky outcrop position |
| St. Goar | Burg Rheinfels | Fortress Ruins | 45 min | Largest fortress in Middle Rhine Valley |
| Loreley | Legendary Rock | Natural Landmark | 30 min | 132m slate rock, narrowest Rhine point |
| Andernach | Roman Walls | Ancient Site | 30 min | “Antunnacum” with visible Roman fortifications |
| Der Runde Turm | Medieval Tower | 20 min | 183ft tower with Roman museum |
| Cold Water Geyser | Natural Feature | 45 min | World’s highest cold-water geyser (64m) |
June 6 (Friday): Andernach → Stommeln (99.6km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Namedy | Hohenzollern Castle | Architecture | 15 min | Palace visible from route |
| Bad Breisig | Rhine Promenade | Rest Stop | 20 min | Spa town atmosphere, ideal break |
| Remagen | WWII Bridge Site | Historic Site | 20 min | Famous “Bridge at Remagen” location |
| Apollinaris Church | Architecture | 15 min | Lesser-known architectural gem |
| Rolandswerth | Roland’s Arch | Romantic Ruin | 15 min | 12th-century castle ruins |
| Bonn Area | Government Quarter | Modern Sites | 30 min | Former capital buildings |
| Route | Industrial Transition | Landscape Change | Continuous | Castle country to industrial heartland |
| Cologne Approach | Rhine Port Areas | Industrial Heritage | Continuous | Major commercial shipping begins |
June 7 (Saturday): Stommeln → Mönchengladbach (33.5km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Route | North Rhine Plain | Agricultural | Continuous | Flat cycling through fertile farmland |
| Industrial Heritage | Modern Sites | Various | Chemical plants and logistics centers |
| Mönchengladbach | Historic City Center | Urban Area | 45 min | Former textile center with restored old town |
| Schloss Rheydt | Renaissance Castle | 30 min | 16th-century moated castle with museum |
| Münster St. Vitus | Historic Church | 20 min | Romanesque basilica, city’s landmark |
| Borussia-Park | Modern Stadium | 10 min | Famous football stadium (if passing nearby) |
June 8 (Sunday): Köln (Cologne) → Koblenz (99.4km)
Note: This appears to be a reverse direction day
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Cologne | Cathedral (UNESCO) | World Heritage | 1 hour | Gothic masterpiece, world’s highest twin-spired church |
| Rhine Promenade | Cycling Path | Continuous | Dedicated paths along river |
| Hohenzollern Bridge | Landmark | 15 min | Famous love-lock bridge, bike accessible |
| Rheinauhafen | Modern Architecture | 20 min | Kranhäuser crane tower buildings |
| Chocolate Museum | Museum | 30 min | Waterfront location if time permits |
| Rhine Cable Car | Transport/View | 20 min | Connects both riverbanks with views |
| Return Route | See June 5-6 POIs | Various | As needed | Reverse direction through Rhine Gorge |
June 9 (Monday): Koblenz → Koengernheim (96.8km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Koblenz | Deutsches Eck | Landmark | 30 min | Rhine-Moselle confluence, Kaiser Wilhelm Monument |
| Ehrenbreitstein Fortress | Castle/View | 45 min | Cable car access, panoramic views |
| Stolzenfels | Neo-Gothic Castle | Architecture | 20 min | Rhine views and gardens |
| Marksburg | Medieval Castle | Historic Site | 30 min | Best-preserved medieval Rhine castle |
| Boppard | Rhine Knee | Natural Feature | 20 min | Famous river bend with vineyards |
| Cable Car | Viewpoint | 30 min | Vierseenblick four-lake view |
| Wine Route | Rheinhessen Region | Wine Area | Various | Germany’s largest wine region |
| Nierstein | Wine Village | Cultural Stop | 30 min | 1,000 hectares of vineyards |
| Koengernheim | Rheinhessen Village | Rural Stop | 30 min | Small wine village in Germany’s largest wine region |
| Local Wineries | Wine Tasting | 45 min | Family-run estates offering Rhine valley terroir |
| Traditional Architecture | Village Culture | 15 min | Typical Rheinhessen farmhouse style |
June 10 (Tuesday): Königernheim → Mannheim HB (56.4km)
| Location | Points of Interest | Type | Stop Duration | Cycling Notes |
|---|
| Koengernheim Departure | Village Center | Rural Start | 15 min | Traditional Rheinhessen farmhouse architecture |
| Local Bakery | Rest Stop | 10 min | Fresh German breads for morning energy |
| Route | Rheinhessen Vineyards | Wine Landscape | Continuous | Rolling hills through Germany’s largest wine region |
| Rhine Valley Views | Scenic Cycling | Multiple stops | Panoramic views over Rhine plain |
| Mainz (if passing) | Romanesque Cathedral | Historic Site | 30 min | Imperial Cathedral with 1,000-year history |
| Gutenberg Museum | Cultural Site | 45 min | Birthplace of printing technology |
| Rhine Promenade | Cycling Path | 15 min | Well-developed riverside cycling infrastructure |
| Worms (possible route) | Imperial Cathedral | UNESCO Candidate | 30 min | Romanesque masterpiece, Luther’s famous stand |
| Jewish Quarter | Historic Site | 20 min | Medieval Jewish cemetery and synagogue ruins |
| Industrial Rhine | BASF Ludwigshafen | Industrial Site | View only | World’s largest chemical complex (10km Rhine frontage) |
| Rhine Ports | Infrastructure | 15 min | Germany’s 2nd largest inland port complex |
| Chemical Industry Heritage | Modern Landmarks | Continuous | Major industrial transformation of Rhine valley |
| Mannheim | Baroque Palace | Architecture | 45 min | Europe’s 2nd largest palace complex after Versailles |
| University Campus | Historic Building | 20 min | Palace now houses prestigious university |
| Wasserturm | City Symbol | 15 min | 60m water tower with surrounding Friedrichsplatz |
| Grid City Center | Urban Planning | 30 min | Unique quadrant street system (A1-U6) |
| Rhine-Neckar Confluence | Geographic Feature | 10 min | Major river junction point |
| Luisenpark | Park/Gardens | 30 min | Award-winning park with Chinese tea house |
| Hauptbahnhof | Transport Hub | Final arrival | Major railway junction for onward connections |
Practical Cycling Tips
Best Photo Opportunities
- Basel Cathedral terrace (Rhine panorama)
- Colmar’s Little Venice from Saint-Pierre Bridge
- Strasbourg Cathedral square
- Rhine Gorge castle silhouettes
- Loreley Rock viewpoint
- Cologne Cathedral from Rhine promenade
- Mannheim Baroque Palace facade
Quick Rest Stops
- Canal towpaths with shaded benches every 5-10km
- Lock-keeper houses along canals
- Rhine ferry crossings (good for leg stretches)
- Wine taverns in villages (especially afternoons)
- Town market squares with fountains
Route Surface Quality
- 90% paved paths suitable for road bikes
- Well-maintained EuroVelo 15 signage throughout
- Dedicated cycle lanes separate from traffic on most sections
- Some gravel sections through vineyards (still easily rideable)
Your tour follows one of Europe’s premier cycling routes, combining three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, over 40 castles, historic wine regions, and excellent cycling infrastructure throughout the 923km journey.
Day 1
