return to Germany cycling    home

Main Cycle Path

On the traces of kings and Emperors

The Main river forces his way through the marvellous Franconian Wineland and meanders into the direction of the Spessart's dark green forests. The landscape along the river Main is among Bavaria's and Hesse's culturally richest ones. The numerous castles, stately homes, monasteries and impressive churches and chapels are the witnesses of a long and interesting history. The towns along the river Main have a unique flair: The former imperial city Bamberg, the old residential town Würzburg, the beautiful Miltenberg with its typical half-timbered houses or Ochsenfurt, to name only a few.

TOUR PROFILE:
The track runs mainly on the banks of the river Main, therefore mostly flat.

ROUTE:
Day 1: Bamberg   Individual arrival
Day 2: Bamberg - Schweinfurt (approx. 60 km/38 miles)
The cycle track along the river leads you to Zeil am Main and to Hassfurt where you can visit a unique construction of occidental art: The knight's chapel of Hassfurt. Afterwards, the river leads you to today´s destination Schweinfurt.
Day 3: Schweinfurt - Kitzingen (approx. 55 km/34 miles)
To start with the cycle track leads through small romantic villages and vineyards till you reach the village Volkach am Main. Here the best Franconian wines are grown. But before tasting this wine of outstanding quality, you should not miss to visit the famous carved masterpiece by Tilman Riemenschneider: the 'Madonna in the Rosary' in the pilgrimage church 'St. Maria im Weingarten'. Surrounded by former vineyards, the pilgrimage church 'Maria im Sand' at Dettelbach is also worth a visit.
Day 4: Kitzingen - Würzburg (apaprox. 40 km/25 miles)
Today we have planned a shorter cycle stage for you in order leave enough time for the Franconian metropolis Würzburg. You should take a rest at Sommerhausen and enjoy the atmosphere in one of the typical Franconian restaurants. Würzburg has a unique flair: The view from the historical bridge over the river Main up to the castle 'Marienberg', the magnificence of the Episcopal Residence, the Dome of St. Kilian, but Würzburg is also a modern University and Congress twn surrounded by vineyards.
Day 5: Würzburg - Marktheidenfeld (approx. 50/80 km/31/50 miles)Today you can choose: either the flat, but longer tour along the vineyards via Zellingen, Karlstadt, Gemünden and Lohr am Main to Marktheidenfeld or the shorter, but more hilly option Whatever decision you take, there is a lot to see! The romantic village Karlstadt with its varied history, the 'three-river-town' Gemünden in the national park Spessart, Lohr am Main with its historical monuments and Franconian half-timbered houses or simply the quiet small villages on both banks of the river Main.
Day 6. Marktheidenfeld - Region Miltenberg (approx. 50 km/31 miles)
Today you cycle through the typical scenery along the river Main to Wertheim, which has preserved its character of an old Franconian village. The village is situated scenically on the left side of the river on the confluence of the rivers Tauber and Main under the castle ruin of the count of Wertheim. Behind the next river meander, there is Stadtprozelten where one of the most impressive castle ruins stands in solitary splendour - the 'Henneburg'. Freudenberg is host of the Castle Festivals, surrounded by the magnificent scenery of old walls, bastions, gables and the massive fortified tower of the ruin. The most famous sights of Miltenberg are the 'Schnatterloch', one of the most picturesque old squares in Germany and the restaurant 'Riese' (=Giant). There are numerous half-timbered facades which can be admired.
Day 7: Region Miltenberg - Aschaffenburg(approx. 45 km/28 miles)
Having left Miltenberg, you reach the village Klingenberg with its vines and wine restaurants. As you get closer to Aschaffenburg, the center of the "'Spessart" the four towers of the Castle of Johannisburg will show you the way.
Day 8: Aschaffenburg   Individual departure or extension

TRAIN STATION : Bamberg

AIRPORT: Nürnberg/Frankfurt

INCLUDED: 7 nights in 3 * Hotels, private facilities, breakfast, luggage transport, maps and info material

BICYCLES: 7-speed-UNISEX - touring bike, panniers

booking form, booking conditions, more information .....

For more details just e-mail us, please: radreise@web.de