From Forest Tracks to the Alpine Gateway: Riding Germany

The Bavarian Forest is a range of low mountains in south-east Germany, on the Czech border. Germany's first national park was created here in 1970, and together with the Šumava National Park across the border it is counted as the largest protected forest area in Central Europe. Rounded summits of around 1,400 m rise above spruce and beech woods.

The circuit alternates between forest tracks and the small paved lanes that link the villages. Instead of one long climb you get many short rises, so on an e-MTB you can spread your effort evenly. Inside the national park you may ride only on routes signed for bikes; narrow hiking paths and the summit trails are for walking.

The park follows a simple rule: let nature be nature. Spruce killed by bark beetles is left standing, and young trees now grow up between the grey trunks. Watching the same forest change a little each year is part of the appeal of this ride.

The Isar flows down from the Alps and straight through the middle of Munich. Its water is a clear green-blue, and wide gravel banks remain even in the city, where people come to relax in summer. Ride upstream to the south and in one day you watch the city turn into forest and the forest turn into the foothills of the Alps.

South of Munich the river cuts between steep banks and the path enters the woods. Most of it is paved or well-packed gravel, but there are a few short, steep climbs from the river up to the villages on the bluffs. This is where an e-MTB really helps.

After Wolfratshausen the valley opens out, and on a clear day the first Alpine ridges appear close to the south. The finish, Bad Tölz, is an old spa town on the Isar, and from there you can take the train back to Munich.

This Alpine corner sits at the far south-east of Germany, right next to Salzburg in Austria. Berchtesgaden National Park, founded in 1978, is Germany's only Alpine national park, and the Watzmann (about 2,713 m) rises in its centre.

It is also the last stage of a long-distance cycle route of more than 400 km that crosses southern Germany from Lake Constance. The roads between villages and lakes mix pavement and valley gravel, and the climbs are short but steep, which suits an e-MTB.

Inside the national park, bikes are allowed only on certain roads. Ride where you see bike signs and explore the other mountain paths on foot. If you have energy to spare, try the Rossfeld panoramic road, which climbs to over 1,500 m.

Füssen is a small town at the foot of the Alps where Germany's well-known Romantic Road ends. Lakes large and small surround it, and on the mountainside stands Neuschwanstein, the castle built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria.

The most popular ride is the cycle path around the Forggensee, the big reservoir north of Füssen. Much of it is flat, with the Alps and the castle in view across the water. The lake is drained in winter and refilled in summer, so come between June and autumn to see it full.

The road up to the castle is crowded, so it is best to leave the bike in the village of Hohenschwangau below and walk up. With an extra day, ride out to the Wieskirche, a church standing alone in the fields to the north.

The Moselle flows in from France, crosses western Germany and joins the Rhine at Koblenz. At every big bend, vineyards climb the steep slopes, and small wine villages gather around their church spires along the bank. The region is best known for Riesling.

A cycle path follows the river for about 200 km from Trier to Koblenz. Riding downstream it is almost flat, and nearly all of it is paved, so beginners can split it over several days. If you only have one day, pick the stretch around Bernkastel-Kues or Cochem.

The riverside path is easy, but the lanes up to the viewpoints above the vineyards are very steep. These short climbs are where an e-MTB shines. From the top you can see the river sweep in a wide bend around the villages.