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More vacations with bridging days 2025: Beautiful cycle routes in Germany for extra days off

Tips
27 November 2024

The bridging days 2025 offer great opportunities to create long weekends for cycling tours in Germany by strategically setting vacation days. With a total of 19 vacation days, you can get up to 38 days off in the coming year - ideal for exploring Germany's most beautiful cycle paths and treating yourself to a relaxing break in nature. 


We have put together some suggestions for the best cycle routes for you, which are perfect for a short or longer break, depending on the time of year and weather conditions.

Easter

Elbe cycle path
(Good Friday, April 18 and Easter Monday, April 21)

Bridging days: Take a vacation from April 14 to 17, giving you 10 days off in a row.

Weather forecast: At the beginning of April, the weather in Germany is usually still changeable, but temperatures usually rise to a pleasant 10-15°C. In some regions it can still be rainy and chilly, so plan weatherproof clothing!


Recommended tours:

  • Elbe Cycle Route (Saxony to Hamburg): this route offers a relaxed cycle tour along the Elbe, which is particularly ideal in spring with fresh buds and mild temperatures. Dresden, Meißen and the Elbe meadows near Magdeburg are highlights.
  • Moselle Cycle Route (Rhineland-Palatinate): Spring is the perfect time to explore the Moselle valley with its vineyards and charming villages. The route from Trier to Koblenz is particularly recommended and offers a mix of picturesque villages and beautiful scenery.

Labor Day

(May 1, Thursday)

Bridging days: Take vacation from April 28 to 30, resulting in 5 days off.

Weather forecast: The beginning of May is often mild and dry with temperatures between 15 and 20°C. Ideal for tours with beautiful views, without too much heat.


Recommended tours:

  • Around Lake Constance (Baden-Württemberg/Bavaria/Switzerland): one of the most beautiful cycle tours in southern Germany, extending over several days. The lakeside paths are easy to cycle on and the view of the Alps in the background is impressive. Places like Constance, Meersburg and Lindau are real highlights.
  • Main Cycle Route (Bavaria): The tour along the Main from Bamberg to Aschaffenburg is particularly beautiful in spring. The route passes through many picturesque towns, including Würzburg and Miltenberg, and offers many places to stop for a leisurely break.
Cycle path with a view of Lake Constance

Ascension

Cycle path along the Saar
(Ascension Day, May 29, Thursday)

Bridging days: Take a vacation from 26 to 28 May, giving you 9 days off.

Weather forecast: At the end of May, the weather is often already summery warm with temperatures around 20-25°C, which offers ideal conditions for longer tours.


Recommended tours:

  • Weser Cycle Route (Lower Saxony/Bremen): This route follows the course of the Weser and leads through tranquil villages, lush meadows and historic towns such as Hameln and Bremen. Especially in early summer, the route is beautifully green and less crowded than in the peak summer months.
  • Saar Cycle Route (Saarland): This route along the Saar is perfect for those who prefer a quiet and nature-rich tour. Highlights include the Völklingen Ironworks World Heritage Site and the famous Saar Loop near Mettlach. The region is particularly beautiful in May and is ideal for day trips.

Whitsun

(Whit Monday, June 9)

Bridging days: Take vacation from June 2 to 6, resulting in 9 days off.

Weather forecast: June marks the start of early summer in Germany, and temperatures can rise to a pleasant 20-25°C, with mostly dry weather.


Recommended tours:

  • Münsterland (North Rhine-Westphalia): Münsterland is known for its flat routes and castle routes. The tours are particularly family-friendly and offer numerous opportunities to visit historic palaces and castles. Highlights include Nordkirchen Castle and Vischering Castle.
  • Rhine Cycle Route (North Rhine-Westphalia to Rhineland-Palatinate): The stages from Cologne to Mainz are particularly recommended. The Rhine offers fantastic views and the route passes through historic cities such as Bonn and Koblenz.
Vischering Castle in Münsterland

Day of German Unity

Cycle path in the Spreewald near Lübbenau
(October 3, Friday)

Bridging days: Take a vacation from September 29 to October 2, resulting in 5 days off.

Weather forecast: October is a classic fall month in Germany with temperatures around 10-15°C, often sunny, but there can also be rainy days. Perfect for a leisurely fall tour.


Recommended tours:

  • Altmühltal cycle path (Bavaria): In autumn, the Altmühltal is transformed into a colorful sea of colors. The route from Gunzenhausen to Kelheim leads through quiet villages, forests and past impressive rock formations. A perfect tour for nature lovers and families.
  • Spreewald (Brandenburg): This flat route through the Spreewald is ideal for the fall. The famous canals of the Spreewald, surrounded by colorful autumn leaves, offer a unique atmosphere. The tour can be supplemented with a boat trip to experience the region even more intensively.

Tips for a successful bike tour on bridge days

Plan in good time

As bridge days are also popular with other vacationers, you should book accommodation and tickets early to avoid full trains and fully booked hotels.

Keep an eye on the weather

Spring and fall can be unpredictable weather-wise. A good rain jacket and extra layers of clothing are often useful.

Consider an e-bike

If you are planning longer routes in hilly areas or are riding several days in a row, an e-bike can be a good choice. Many bike rental companies now offer high-quality e-bikes or you can conveniently lease your dream service bike with Lease a Bike. You can find all the information you need here.

Plan enough breaks

Regular breaks are particularly important on longer tours to enjoy the views and the surroundings. A well-packed picnic basket makes the break twice as nice.

The 2025 bridging days offer numerous opportunities to get on the pedals and discover Germany's most beautiful cycle routes. With good preparation and a pinch of adventure , nothing stands in the way of unforgettable bike tours in the German countryside. 

And if you lease your company bike with Lease a Bike, you benefit from the free europaletten mobility guarantee and excellent customer service.