Cycling Holidays between Mountains and the Sea – Sustainable Travel in Germany
Cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to travel sustainably; it's slow enough to enjoy the little moments along the way and fast enough to cover longer distances. Plus, it allows you to experience Germany from a new perspective. Whether you prefer the fresh sea breeze or the clear mountain air is entirely up to you. With the right information and sustainable accommodations, every tour can be relaxing and memorable.
Good Planning is Half the Battle – Tips for your Sustainable Cycling Trip in Germany
The right preparation is also key to a sustainable cycling vacation. From choosing a destination to planning routes and stages, selecting hotels, and deciding whether to bring your own bikes or rent them locally—many questions and considerations can make spontaneity fall by the wayside. So don't drive yourself crazy; just enjoy the planning process. If you forget something, most things can be arranged, planned, rented, or purchased locally. Of course, it's more sustainable to think ahead about what you definitely need to avoid impulse purchases.
Tips for your Sustainable Cycling Vacation:
Select your destination: Of course, you can cycle anywhere. However, it is worth checking beforehand to see if your desired destination is suitable for a cycling vacation. And, of course, you should ask yourself the crucial question in this newsletter: Do you want the sea or the mountains? (You'll find inspiration for both below.)
Plan your route: Take a look at the available tours in the area to see if they suit your riding style and fitness level, and check what the routes are like. Are you planning to ride stages or do a star tour (starting from one point/hotel)?
Check your bike: Inspect it in good time and repair any minor issues that have been put off—or rent a serviced (e)-bike locally, either directly from the hotel or from a regional provider. The latter option will also make your train journey more relaxing.
Pack sustainably: Bring a reusable water bottle. Also, choose lightweight, durable clothing and equipment you already own.
Choose your accommodations: Look for a sustainable hotel (ideally with charging facilities, storage space, and bicycle services). Below, we present four Green Pearls® hotels to inspire you.
Stay spontaneous: While planning your tours and routes, leave room for small detours, recommendations from your hotel, and impromptu excursions. Often, the most beautiful discoveries are made along the way.
☞ For more inspiration and information on other cycling destinations, check out our article on e-bike vacations in sustainable hotels
Mountains or the Sea?
Four Regions and Hotels for your Sustainable Cycling Vacation in Germany in 2026
Mountains: Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa | Bad Reichenhall (Bavaria)
A special retreat awaits you at the foot of the Alps. The Klosterhof – Alpine Hideaway & Spa is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Berchtesgadener Land region. Perched on a sunny plateau, it boasts unobstructed views of the Alps. This four-star superior hotel impresses with its Artemacur Spa, medical wellness offerings, and high-quality regional cuisine.
It offers its own mountain e-bike rental service, guided bike tours, and 12 charging stations in the bike cellar for cyclists (like you). Some of the most beautiful routes begin right outside. This video by plan B (starting at minute 13:22) also provides a preview of the region.
Recommendations for a cycling vacation from Klosterhof in Bayerisch Gmain:
Sea: SANDnature | Baltic Sea (Schleswig-Holstein)
At the adults-only Lifestylehotel SANDnature in Timmendorfer Strand, sustainability meets coastal vibes. In addition to its minimalist Scandinavian design featuring natural materials, the regional late-riser breakfast is a real highlight! Until 1:00 p.m., guests can enjoy delicacies from the surrounding area, freshly prepared egg dishes, and plant-based specialties.
SANDnature partners with myBoo, a socially responsible bicycle manufacturer based in Kiel. You can rent the bamboo bikes at the hotel; they are produced fairly and sustainably in Ghana and Kiel. You can also rent myBoo e-bikes through their partner, "Tobis Rad" — in case the Baltic Sea breeze is too strong for you to explore the coast without e-assistance. The routes along the Baltic Sea are ideal for relaxed tours accompanied by the sound of the waves and the scent of the sea.
Cycling vacation recommendations from SANDnature in Timmendorfer Strand
- Cycling along the Baltic Sea in Schleswig-Holstein
- Changing specials at SANDnature, which include one day of bike rental or a bike rental reservation when booking
Mountains: Hotel Das Rübezahl | Allgäu (Bavaria)
Bicycle garage, e-bike rental (for a fee; included in the suite special), city bike rental (free of charge), and panoramic castle views: Hotel Das Rübezahl is ideal if you want to combine exercise and enjoyment. Located opposite Neuschwanstein Castle, this romantic boutique hotel offers a romantic spa area, fine regional cuisine, and two mountain huts that can be reached on cycling and hiking tours.
A highlight is the bike tour to the Edelsberghütte, where hotel guests on the pampering board package are served a delicious mountain dish. Thanks to the complimentary shuttle from the Füssen train station, your trip will be eco-friendly.
Cycling vacation recommendations from Hotel Das Rübezahl in Schwangau
- Tour ideas and recommendations in BergGeist magazine (starting on page 46; German only)
- Romantic picnic during your bike tour (order the picnic basket from the hotel)
- Routes and tours for bikes and e-bikes
Sea: SANDglow | North Sea (Schleswig-Holstein)
If you love the vastness of the North Sea, then SANDglow is the place for you! This Lifestylehotel is located in the heart of the port city of Husum, just a few minutes from the harbor and numerous cafés and restaurants. The dike and the North Sea are less than three kilometers away, so you can reach the beach in just a few minutes by bike and enjoy the sea breeze.
Like SANDnature, the hotel has its own small fleet of MyBoo e-bikes, as well as covered parking spaces with charging stations, helmets, and air pumps.
Cycling vacation recommendations from SANDglow in Husum
Mountains or Sea? Where will your next Cycling Adventure take you?
Travel sustainably, enjoy consciously, and stay active—it all comes naturally with a bike. Whether you prefer Alpine landscapes or coastal breezes, find your perfect Green Pearls® hotel and start the new year with a season full of exercise, nature, and relaxation.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who still needs travel inspiration for next year – or who you really want to go on a cycling trip with ;) #sharingiscaring
Discover the GREEN TRAVEL BLOG editorial team's favorite articles from last month.
The Wadden Sea in danger?
How to enjoy a sustainable vacation on the North Sea coast
The Wadden Sea is one of the most fascinating landscapes on earth. Every six hours, the tides paint a new version of the same coastline. But this unique ecosystem is under increasing pressure, so we'll show you ways to make your North Sea vacation sustainable.
Recipe for Smooth Lemon Cake
Vegan and fresh from SANDnature on the Baltic Sea
When Yvonne Bork serves the smooth lemon cake at SANDnature, everyone loves it. Moist, fresh, and just right for lemon season. But this cake isn't just delicious—it's also sustainable and surprisingly versatile in its preparation.
Growing up at Hotel Korinjak
My family history in Croatia's first vegetarian hotel
Mikela recounts what it was like growing up in the Korinjak Hotel on the Croatian island of Iz, what motivated her grandfather to establish the vegetarian hotel, and how his philosophy continues to influence every decision to this day.
Stories often change our perspective on travel, leaving quiet impulses that linger long after we've heard them. In our editorial office, we regularly discuss what has moved, inspired, or made us think lately. Here, we share our personal recommendations with you—whether it's a book, film, documentary, or podcast—and they are always honest and hand-picked with conscious travel in mind.
That's what Mara was most excited about recently:
«In ''Keine Zukunft ist auch keine Lösung'' (No Future Is Not a Solution Either), Baro Vicenta Ra Gabbert and Fabian Grischkat set out in search of hope in uncertain times. First, they take a close look at the current situation (and how we got there), then move on to possible solutions and inspiring ideas. From the second page on, I found myself nodding after every paragraph and marking important or inspiring passages with sticky notes. However, I eventually gave up. Otherwise, the book would have ended up as nothing more than a collection of those notes. I recommend this book for anyone who doesn't want to lose hope in the face of the state of the world and who wants to know more about how we got to this point.»
To the book at the Autorenwelt Shop (unpaid advertising)