Price
Sale
Share this trip with a friend
From
From IntroductoryTo Challenging
Cycle through the heart of Bavaria’s Franconian region on a relaxed journey that combines cycling with medieval history and one of Europe’s richest brewing traditions. Starting and finishing in Nuremberg, you follow riverside paths, quiet country lanes and sections of the historic Castle Route, linking storybook towns such as Bamberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Wolframs-Eschenbach. Along the way, explore UNESCO-listed old towns, half-timbered houses and imposing castles, with plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere in traditional beer gardens after each day’s ride. The circular route is designed to be flexible, with train options available to shorten daily stages and electric bikes offered if you want extra support. After each day in the saddle, unwind with a locally brewed smoky beer, enjoy the warm hospitality of Franconian hosts and sample the regional sausages and dishes the area is renowned for.
Read 18 reviews
More info about grading system
25kg of CO2-e PP per day
(176kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
Expand all | Collapse all
Day 1
Arrive Nuremberg
Arrive in the city of Nuremberg and make your way to the first hotel. It is well worth taking some time to visit the sites of this fascinating city. The castle, which has accommodated numerous emperors and kings, overlooks the imperial city majestically. Nuremberg was once the preferred residence of many German kings and is full of architectural wonders. It was the birthplace of artist Albrecht Dürer and site of the Nuremberg Trials. Your bike will be available at the hotel either this afternoon or first thing in the morning.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Begin cycle to Erlangen via the Regnitz valley (30km/18.6mi)
There is time this morning to see more of Nuremberg before you set out on your cycle trip. The Regnitz cycle path begins directly in the old town of Nuremberg - the largest city in Franconia. The route takes you north through green meadows and shady floodplain forests. On the sandy meadows, typical of the Regnitz valley, you roll into the Huguenot, university and industrial city of Erlangen. There is a shorter option if you wish to stay along the canal.
Meals: B
Day 3
Via Aufsess and its breweries to Bamberg (55km/34mi)
Todays route continues along the Regnitz valley through beautiful landscapes with impressive weirs. On your left is the hills of the Steigerwald while on your right is Franconian Switzerland, aptly named by poets and writers, and part of the northern Jura mountains. The Strullendorf lock and the Hirschaid hydroelectric power station are interesting sites on the route which also crosses the Main-Danube Canal. Continue to Bamberg, with its numerous sights that shouldn't be missed. Visit the imperial cathedral and wander through the beautiful old town with its town hall, located on an artificial island in the middle of the Regnitz river. A guided visit through one of the many local breweries is also very interesting, as is the brewery museum. Consider an extra night to explore this impressive city, ask for details.
Day 4
Cycle to Neustadt (55km + train or 65km/34 or 40.5mi)
At first you cycle a few kilometres back along the path from yesterday. If you want to shorten today's section you can take the train to Hirschaid (ticket not included, payable locally). Next, follow the valley of the little river Aisch to Neustadt, with its quaint town hall clock.
Day 5
Cycle to Rothenburg via Bad Windsheim (55km/34mi)
This morning cycle to Bad Windsheim, where you can admire the beautiful old town as well as the Franconian Open-Air Museum with its reconstructed historic buildings. In the pub or the town's several beer gardens you can taste the locally brewed beer. Continue to Rothenburg, where there is time to explore the attractions before a tour with the Night Watchman. The medieval city of Rothenburg (or Rothenburg ob der Tauber), was immortalised by artists such as Spitzweg and Richter. Take the time to walk through the historic centre with its impressive town hall, massive fortifications, towers, churches and patrician houses to gain an appreciation of the town's rich history. There are a number of good museums including the Imperial City Museum, the Craftsman's house, the Crime Museum and the Historical Vaults and the Doll and Toy Museum. Later this evening, if you have room for dessert you should try a Schneeball (snowball - a traditional pastry). At the time of booking, we can add an extra night if you wish to explore the city further, ask for details.
Day 6
Along the Burgenstrasse cycle path to Wolframs-Eschenbach (65km/40.6mi)
You leave the romantic Taubertal valley and follow the 'Burgenstrasse' (Castle Route) cycle path. In Colmberg, the mighty castle towers over the town. From here you follow the Franconian Rezat river to Ansbach, a splendid margrave (nobleman) residential town. Continue along the Burgenstrasse to Wolframs-Eschenbach, a lovely medieval town with a lot to see.
Day 7
Return to Nuremberg via Roth (65km/40.6mi)
Today you continue along the Burgenstrasse cycle path, passing the moated castle in Lichtenau, and reach the town of Roth. Here you can visit the the Ratibor castle before following the Main-Danube Canal to return to Nuremberg.
Day 8
Trip concludes
The trip concludes after breakfast.
What's included
What's not included
During the trip you will be provided with a 10 gear hybrid bike. You will also receive a pannier to carry your gear for the day, along with a handlebar bag, bike computer, lock and repair kit. Helmets are not supplied locally but are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet. In the case of a puncture the assumption is that you can repair. You will be given a puncture repair kit, to fix the issue.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedalling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 148cm / 4ft10in.
The route features varied terrain through Franconia and Upper Bavaria, blending rolling hills, quiet river valleys, and forested areas. The route is characterized by a mix of paved cycle paths, gravel trails, and quiet roads. As you enter and exit towns and villages, their will be more traffic on the roads.
GRADE 4 - During the 7 days of cycling a total of approximately 325km is covered with daily routes of between 30 and up to 65 kilometres, with options to take the train to shorten the trip. The route has hilly stretches with lots of small ascents, mostly along quiet rural roads, sometimes along forest and agricultural tracks. In order to prepare for this trip you will need to be comfortable cycling for extended periods, sometimes with traffic around you (sometimes unavoidable going in to and leaving towns).
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
|
We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
14Days
Moderate
8Days
7Days
Challenging