The magnificent Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Strasbourg, Europe’s tallest medieval building
The world-famous Altstadt of Heidelberg and its Renaissance castle perched high above the town
The wonderful wine-growing regions of Alsace and Rhine Hessen
The fortress city of Germersheim and Imperial Cathedrals in Speyer, Worms and Mainz
The beautiful and historic city of Mainz, the wine capital of Germany
Self-guided cycling on the Rhein-Radweg from Strasbourg to Mainz
With more than 1,230 kilometres by bike, the Rhine Cycle Path is one of Europe’s longest and most well-developed cycle paths. On this week-long cycling holiday, you will explore a beautiful 295 kilometres stretch of it between the wonderful cities of Strasbourg and Mainz.
This stretch of the Rhein-Radweg is a rich and varied route full of scenic, cultural and culinary interest. You will cycle through three distinct and fascinating regions – Alsace, Baden, and the Palatinate – and you can look forward to great hospitality in each region. Common characteristics shared by these regions include a mild climate, beautiful landscapes, wonderful cuisine and winegrowing traditions. It was the Romans who first introduced vineyards to the region, and the ideal climate and soil conditions have ensured a long and successful tradition of wonderful wines ever since. Be sure to taste the fruity Riesling in Nierstein am Rhein – it is one of the best in the world!
Most of the time you enjoy idyllic views along the banks of the Rhine, but sometimes you will follow the smaller tributaries and flood plains of the great river, where you will find nature reserves with abundant wildlife. The legacy of the German emperors is clearly evident in the cultural treasures of Strasbourg, Worms and Speyer, while the world-famous Heidelberg Castle and fortress city of Germersheim are also outstanding highlights of this trip.
| 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS | From €869 per person sharing*
*A high-season surcharge will apply during the summer months |
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| BIKE RENTAL | If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. All bikes are equipped with shimano gears, highly puncture-resistant tyres, water repellent pannier bag and handlebar bag, lock, pump and puncture repair kit.
Bike hire prices
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| ACCOMMODATION | 7 overnight stay with continental breakfast buffet in 3*** hotels and guesthouses with private facilities. Upgrades possible for a supplement, please enquire for details and price.
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any Thursday or Saturday, subject to availability, between March 30th and October 12th. | ||||||||||||||||
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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| OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
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| DISCOUNT FOR DIGITAL ROUTE BOOK | Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room (let us know at the time of booking if you would like to do this). | ||||||||||||||||
| DIFFICULTY | The difficulty level of this trip is rated as easy overall. This cycling holiday is suitable for all ages and abilities. It is a predominantly flat route with simple route guidance. You mainly cycle on well-built cycle paths along the Rhine cycle path. In the Rhine flood plains there are longer sections on gravel paths. Daily stages of 20 to 65 kilometres. | ||||||||||||||||
Day 1: Arrival in Strasbourg
You will begin your holiday by spending a wonderful evening in the Alsatian capital on the French-German border. The magnificent Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Strasbourg is Europe’s tallest medieval building. We recommend finding a cosy winstub (Alsatian tavern) along one of the canals and soaking up the town’s unique Franco-German culture.
You will also meet with our local representative today for your welcome briefing and bike fitting.
Overnight: Strasbourg
Day 2: Strasbourg – Rastatt
Distance: approx. 65 km
On your first cycling day, an excellent cycle path leads you through Strasbourg to the Rhine’s riverbank. You will cycle comfortably along the riverbank through the gentle Rhine valley. In Drusenheim, you will take a ferry across the Rhine (and the border) and then continue through the meadows of Baden-Württemberg until you get to the Baroque old town of Rastatt.
Overnight: Rastatt
Day 3: Rastatt – Germersheim
Distance: approx. 60 km
Today’s cycle route takes you through idyllic and untouched natural surroundings. You will cycle through the biggest nature protection area in the Palatinate, the Hördter Rheinauen wetlands. Your destination today is the relaxed former fortress town of Germersheim. The town’s 19th century fortress was built to protect the left bank of the Rhine against France.
Overnight: Germersheim
Day 4: Germersheim – Heidelberg
Distance: approx. 50 km
Continuing Northwards along the Rhine, the grand old river leads you to the Imperial city of Speyer, with its impressive UNESCO world heritage listed cathedral. After Speyer, you temporarily leave the Rhine to make your way Eastwards to the beautiful and historic city of Heidelberg. The famous palace and gardens of Schwetzingen are well worth a stop along the way, before your day comes to an end in Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university town. The town is famous for its baroque old town, beautiful riverside setting and evocative hilltop castle.
Overnight: Heidelberg
Day 5: Heidelberg – Worms
Distance approx. 45 km
This morning you will cycle along the river Neckar to the old Roman town of Ladenburg. Your route then takes you through the Rhine valley to the imperial city of Worms. A city with a long and fascinating history, some of the highlights include the magnificent 12th century cathedral, the Martin Luther monument and the oldest Jewish cemetery in Europe.
Overnight: Worms
Day 6: Worms – Nierstein
Distance: approx. 55 km
Another day of very comfortable cycling along the river Rhine and its tributaries. You first cycle through agricultural landscapes, before crossing the Rhine to the wine-growing region of Rheinhessen. Today’s destination, the charming village of Nierstein, is located in the biggest wine-producing area on the Rhine. You should definitely try a glass of Riesling this evening!
Overnight: Nierstein
Day 7: Nierstein – Mainz
Distance: approx. 20 km
Your last cycle is a short one, which gives you lots of time to explore the city of Mainz on arrival. Your cycle route takes you through the vineyards of the Rhine Valley, with wonderful views of the steep vine-covered slopes along the riverbank. You follow the riverside path all the way into the centre of Mainz. You can visit the immense sandstone cathedral or the Gutenberg museum, or just wander around the pedestrian streets and wine taverns to discover why Mainz is known as the ‘wine capital of Germany’!
Overnight: Mainz
Day 8: Departure or extension
Your cycling holiday on the Rhine comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.
Arrival in Strasbourg
Departure from Mainz
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