The Rhine

A motorcycle trip from the source of the Rhine to the North Sea is one of Europe's great touring routes. The Rhine flows for about 1,230 km, but a scenic motorcycle route following it closely while avoiding motorways will be around 1,600–1,900 km, depending on detours.

Overview

Start: Tomasee (Lake Toma) (traditional source of the Rhine)

Finish: Hook of Holland

Duration: 8–12 days

Best Time: May–September

Road Preference: Mountain passes, river roads, vineyards, castles, and historic towns.

Day 1: Rhine Source to Andermatt

Approx. 120 miles / 190 km

Highlights:

• Oberalp Pass

• Disentis

• Andermatt

Ride the spectacular mountain roads around the young Rhine. This section is all about Alpine scenery and sweeping bends.

Day 2: Andermatt to Schaffhausen

Approx. 160 miles / 260 km

Highlights:

• Lake Lucerne

• Zurich (bypass via scenic roads)

• Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls are Europe's largest waterfall and well worth a stop.

Day 3: Schaffhausen to Freiburg

Approx. 125 miles / 200 km

Cross into Germany and explore the edge of the:

• Black Forest

• Freiburg im Breisgau

Fantastic riding and excellent biker cafés.

Day 4: Freiburg to Strasbourg to Baden-Baden

Approx. 120 miles / 190 km

Ride both sides of the Rhine.

Highlights:

• Strasbourg

• Alsace Wine Route

• Baden-Baden

The vineyard roads of Alsace are among the best motorcycling roads in Europe.

Day 5: Baden-Baden to Bingen

Approx. 155 miles / 250 km

The Rhine valley becomes increasingly dramatic.

Highlights:

• Speyer

• Mainz

• Bingen am Rhein

Day 6: Bingen to Koblenz

Approx. 75 miles / 120 km

A short day because this is arguably the most beautiful section.

Highlights:

• Lorelei Rock

• Bacharach

• St. Goar

• Koblenz

The road on the west bank (B9) offers constant river views, castles, and vineyard

Day 7: Koblenz to Cologne

Approx. 95 miles / 150 km

Highlights:

• Bonn

• Cologne

The Rhine widens and the landscape becomes gentler.

Day 8: Cologne to Arnhem

Approx. 125 miles / 200 km

Cross into the Netherlands.

Highlights:

• Nijmegen

• Arnhem

Day : Arnhem to Rotterdam

Approx. 110 miles / 180 km

Highlights:

• Utrecht

• Rotterdam

Ride alongside canals and river branches rather than direct routes.

Day 10: Rotterdam to the North Sea

Approx. 40 miles / 65 km

Finish at:

• Hook of Holland

We celebrate reaching the sea where the Rhine finally meets the North Sea by emptying a water we have carried from the source into the sea.

Best Motorcycle Roads on the Tour

• Oberalp Pass (Switzerland)

• Furka Pass detour

• Black Forest B500 (Germany)

• Alsace Wine Route (France)

• Rhine Gorge between Bingen and Koblenz (UNESCO World Heritage)

• Dutch dike roads through the Rhine Delta