Riding around Germany's largest island – the Rügen circular route

Bike Touring Collection by Zoe von Rambling Rocks

Tours

18:04 h

177 mi

3,875 ft

The Rügen circular route takes you around Germany's largest island. In contrast to the famous white chalk cliffs, long sandy beaches and the sophisticated Baltic Sea resorts in the north and east of the island; the southern and western parts of the island offer quiet and quaint fishing villages with fascinating views of the Westrügen Bodden landscape. This circular route also includes trips with a passenger ferry that will take you and your bike safely to the other side of the various peninsulas of Rügen. Find out in advance about the sailing times of the individual ferries.

In total, the Rügen circular route is about 276 kilometres (906 mi) long. In this Collection, I’ve divided it into five stages of moderate length, allowing you to stop off at some interesting places or buy a tasty fish sandwich at one or two harbour towns.

Overnight accommodation is available at each stage finish point and I’ve selected the start and finish points of each stage so that you can travel there by public transport without any problems. The fast RADzfatz buses with their trailers allow you to take your bike with you. If you prefer to travel by train, you can also choose the train station at Altefähr, in Sassnitz or at one of the Baltic Sea resorts of Binz, Sellin or Göhren as your starting point.

It's very easy to get to Rügen with your bike so all you have to do is choose your starting point and get on your saddle. Have fun on Rügen!

On The Map

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Rügen circular route

168 mi

3,650 ft

Last updated: May 30, 2023

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Sassnitz to Middelhagen – the Rügen circular route
04:11
42.1 mi
10.1 mph
1,000 ft
1,100 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
At almost 68 kilometers, the first stage is also the longest of the Rügen circular route. If you have traveled to Sassnitz by train, you can start your tour directly from the train station. The city harbor is your first detour, which you can reach after just a few minutes by car. In addition to the harbor…
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Stage 2: Middelhagen to Altefähr – the Rügen circular route
04:19
39.4 mi
9.1 mph
1,000 ft
950 ft
Ferry
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
The second stage takes you mainly along the south coast of the island of Rügen. In addition to the white classicist bathhouses of the town of Putbus and small cute villages, you can even expect a ride on the passenger ferry at Baabe on the tour. Find out about the departure times here in advance.

After…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Altefähr to Gingst – the Rügen circular route
02:57
29.4 mi
10.0 mph
300 ft
325 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
In the middle of Altefaehr you start the third stage of the Rügen circular route. Before you start, pay a visit to St. Nicolai Church. Not only the tower, which glows red in the sunlight, is worth seeing, but you should also see the medieval paintings on the inside of the church.

But now it starts and…
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Stage 4: Gingst to Putgarten – the Rügen circular route
03:29
35.0 mi
10.1 mph
375 ft
350 ft
Ferry
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.
In the fourth stage, which is about 56 kilometers long, you will get to know the quiet side of Rügen. Here on the west side of the island, great bike paths always follow the coast and you always have the fascinating Bodden landscape in view. A ferry ride is also on the program. Therefore, find out in…
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Stage 5: Putgarten to Sassnitz – the Rügen circular route
03:08
31.1 mi
9.9 mph
1,200 ft
1,150 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the last stage of the Rügen circular route you drive along the cliffs of the east coast and make a detour to a picturesque fishing village and the most famous place on Rügen: the Königstuhl.

After your night in Putgarten, you get on the saddle relaxed and after just a few pedal strokes you make a detour…
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