Cycling-friendly accommodation: where to stay along EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route

Whether you decide to go on a long-distance cycling trip – maybe following the Rhine River all the way from Andermatt in Switzerland to Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands – or go on a weekend cycling trip, you need a place to rest and recharge before another day on the bike. But you also need a place where to store your bike safely, pitch your tent if you are camping and have access to basic maintenance – such as a tyre pump, tools, etc.

Thankfully, finding such accommodations is really easy along the Rhine Cycle Route: all the countries along EuroVelo 15 have a cycling-friendly certification scheme to help you select the best accommodations for your needs and the stretch of the route you are going to cycle.

Switzerland

Switzerland is famous for its multi-tool army knife, and the SwitzerlandMobility website is very similar! On one single website, you can find all routes (not only cycling routes!), all accommodations, all services (including bike rental and repair), in four languages… It could not be easier.

EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route is the National Route number 2 in the country, and it is divided into 9 stages between 26 and 65 kilometres – the distance you are advised to cover in a day. Do not get too distracted by the amazing pictures and select ‘Accommodation’: a long list of certified bike-friendly hotels, hostels, campsites and B&Bs opens on your screen. You can find all information, including the price of accommodation for one night, the location, and contact details of every accommodation provider. You can also check the accommodations on stage pages, as well as by clicking on the layer button on the map at the top of the page. Easy peasy.

Germany

In Germany, B+B does not stand for Bed and Breakfast, it stands for Bett und Bike! Literally ‘Bed and bicycle’, this is the name of the bicycle-friendly certification managed by ADFC, the German Cyclists’ Association. There are a set of criteria to meet in order to get certified and four types of certification: Gastbetrieb (hotels, bed & breakfasts, etc.), Camping, Holiday Homes, and Sports (with specific requirements for mountain bikes and road bikes).

Again, another map-based website. From the homepage, filter the results by route (in our case, Rheinradweg / Véloroute Rhin) and by region. Choose the type of room you prefer, your budget, and other criteria, and see all the results on an interactive map or on the list. Please note that the Bett und Bike website only shows accommodation options and not the track of the Rhine Cycle Route, so some extra research may be needed to make sure to find the right way to your chosen accommodation.

France

EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route has a French stretch in the scenic region of Alsace. Look no further than Accueil Vélo (Welcome Cyclist), the French certification label for bicycle-friendly accommodation, to find your perfect overnight stay.

On the Accueil Vélo homepage, filter the accommodation by route (‘EuroVelo 15 - Rhine Cycle Route in Alsace’) and you will find almost 40 different accommodations, including lodging, camping, hotels, furnished apartments and even a wooden chalet offering services for cyclists. You can also add the accommodation layer to the map on the route homepage. Read all information about the chosen accommodation, and contact the owners directly from an online form. You can clearly see the location of the accommodation and the EuroVelo 15 track on the interactive map.

Accueil Vélo is also a certification for restaurants, bistros and bars that are happy to feed the hungry cyclists while their bike is safely stored. If you are a gourmand on two wheels, make sure to check out this delicious option, too!

The Netherlands

A notorious welcoming country for cyclists, the Dutch bicycle-friendly scheme is called, quite obviously, Cyclists Welcome, or Fietsers Welkom!

On the Nederland Fietsland website, you can find all accommodations and the most bicycle-friendly cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can enjoy a nice lunch or coffee before getting back on your bike. There are more than 1,000 certified locations!

If you are looking for an accommodation, filter the results and select campsites or accommodations, then look into what is around your chosen resting spot. Make sure to compare the chosen accommodation with the track of the Rhine Cycle Route, so that you do not need to make an extra detour. Every accommodation has its own page with a description of the services and opening hours, along with the contact details to book your stay.

EuroVelo 15 – Rhine Cycle Route is the go-to EuroVelo route for whoever is looking for a smooth cycling experience – not by any chance, it is certified according to the European Certification Standard. While there is no common European certification for cycling-friendly accommodations (yet) along EuroVelo routes, there are plenty of options and excellent national certification websites to help you plan your dream cycling trip.

Article by Jessica Casagrande