Beyond the city of Cologne, steep climbs and rapid descents in the Bergisches Land await. The Ruhr region of western Germany reveals its idyllic side and the Westphalian Bay lets you catch your breath with its flat landscape before you reach your destination of Osnabrück after crossing the Teutoburg Forest.

This 231-kilometre (144 mi) route connects the cities of Cologne and Osnabrück. I’ve taken the route from the Radreise-Wiki and adapted it to follow official cycle routes wherever possible. You can cycle the route in either direction but bear in mind that there’s a considerable amount of climbing if you depart from Cologne.

From Cologne, you cross the Bergisches Land region, climbing more than 1,000 metres (3,000 ft). On the remaining 130 kilometres (80 mi), you cycle mainly through gently undulating landscapes and add another 700 metres (2,296 ft) of elevation gain. The route is almost entirely on tarmac roads or cycle paths and is suitable for road bikes, with only occasional paved or gravel sections interrupting the smooth ride.

I’ve divided the route into four stages, which serve up both distance and metres in altitude in manageable portions. The stages always end at places where you have a choice of campsites, hotels or guesthouses. If you’re looking for a physical challenge, you can take the Full Tour and cycle the route in one or two days. Whether you go on a relaxed short holiday or a sporty weekend overnighter is entirely up to you and your ambitions. Both Cologne and Osnabrück are easy to reach by train, with regional trains and an Intercity train with bike transport running between the two cities.

I hope you enjoy this little cycling adventure and look forward to your feedback!