Fichtel Mountains (Upper Franconia) - german classic

From parking (reachable by car or bike) near Karches you can start a walk to the two highest peaks of Fichtel Mountains: Schneeberg and Ochsenkopf. Althought Osenkopf is smaller it is definetly more atracitive to choose: on the way are sources of drinkable water and souce of Weißmain (Weißmainquelle), picturesque rocks formations (visited also by Goethe) and on top a restaurant with traditional Bavarian food and free stone tower that let you look around from above the forest. Peak with restaurant and observation tower is just german classic for me. All together definetly to recommend.

Königstein (Sachsen) by land and water

Surrounding of Konigstein offers many different outdoor activities (and many camping places). We spent one day in canoe going down the Elbe river to Pirna (and the way back by train: we just let the air out of the rubber canoes and took them with us to the train). Second day we walk through the rocks to the pick: Lilienstein viewpoint. I liked both but walking made the kids more tired.

Brocken by bicycle

I was the first time I we cycle instead of walk to the pick. It was Brocken in Harz and as there are more roads to the pick, it is possible to take bicycle with. I will not hide that most of the time we led bikes up the hill, but down the hill it was fun! It was faster and funnier then it would be in the winder with sledges. Other family members had a mountain bicycle, but I did it on my cross bike (Unibike Voyager) and it was sufficient.

Five Rivers bike tour (Bavaria)

In August we experience the beauties of Bavaria on the one of the best German bike tours: The Five Rivers bike tour. Tour is rather flat and well prepared with most of the kilometers outside of the car traffic. There is always water near by to refresh when it is becaming too hot form cycling or from the Sun. The countryside is picturesque. Often on the way there are white rocks, castles, midle age towns, forests making it full of attractions. Our kids enjoyed most Archaeology Park in Altmühltal were the Celtics buildings are reconstructed and stay directly next to the path in more stations.

There are many campings places and other accommodation on the way. You can download the official map on the Geo-Data Five Rivers bike tour

Chalk Cliffs on Rügen

Just magical. Visit Karp Arkona or Jasmund National Park.