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Storks’ nest in Willige Langerak (Stage 25)

Perhaps the most noticeable birds are white storks. These huge birds, with wingspan of two metres, nest in trees or on man-made platforms. They feed on small mammals and reptiles, which they catch in water meadows or on short grassland. Populations along the Rhine dropped to unsustainable levels by the 1980s, but conservation programmes in France, Germany and the Netherlands have led to significant growth in numbers and white storks are no longer regarded as a threatened species.

Preparation

When to go

Apart from the higher parts of Stage 1, where snow often lingers on the ground until May and fresh snow can fall at any time, the route is generally cyclable from April to October. Indeed, much of the route can be cycled at any time of year. The river is at its highest in winter, after heavy snowfalls, when snow melt coming down from the Alps can cause localised flooding of the route in a few places where it drops down below the flood dyke.

During July and August (the school holiday season) some of the more touristic stages can become very busy, particularly stages 5 and 6 around Bodensee and stages 16 and 17 through the Rhine Gorge. Although these stages have many places to stay, it is sometimes difficult to find accommodation, especially at weekends.