Explore Germany on the Bavaria Main River Bike Tour
The long-distance cycle route through Bavaria offers high quality from start to finish, with outstanding signposting, gorgeous scenery, and many cyclist-minded accommodations. The tour starts in Bamberg; its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Winding its way through Bavaria's Steigerwald Forest and Hassberg hills to Schweinfurt, the Main River enters the Franconian wine country and the beautiful Taubertal holiday region. You’ll cycle along the river, granting exceptional views the entire way! The tour continues through Würzburg and ends in Frankfurt.
Highlights of the Bavaria Main River Bike Tour
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Bavaria Main River Bike Tour
Day 1 Arrive in Bamberg
If you are looking for a town that has authentic beauty and is alive with history, then Bamberg in Germany is a must-see. Located in the heart of North Bavaria, Upper Franconia, this town extends across seven hills, each with its own church or castle. Bamberg is one of Germany’s most significant medieval towns and is remarkably well-preserved. It is little wonder that Bamberg has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1993. This Bavarian city at the river Main possesses one of Europe's largest ensembles of historic buildings! Enjoy typical franconian food and beer in one of the many restaurants or beer gardens. Spend the night in Bamberg.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bamberg
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Cycle from Bamberg to Hassfurt
Today you will start cycling on the beautiful, perfectly constructed Main-cycle path. Of course, it is impossible to check out every picturesque site along the way today, but you shouldn’t miss the pilgrim church of the “star architect” of the baroque style Balthasar Neumann. You will find it in Maria Limbach along the route. Enjoy the night in Hassfurt.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hassfurt
Distance: 42km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Go from Hassfurt to Volkach
The biking path along the river is flat and easy to ride. Several castles and estates are still privately owned, managed, and inhabited along your route. Enjoy a city walk in the evening in the beautiful village of Volkach. You can visit the Baroque palace “Schelfenhaus” or other gems. After the tour, you can enjoy one of the excellent local wines! Spend the night in Volkach.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Volkach
Distance: 55km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Ride from Volkach to Würzburg
Like pearls on a chain, famous wine villages are lined up along your way today. You must select carefully among one of the most beautiful places, such as Sommerach, Dettelbach, Marktbreit, or Ochsenfurt, for a visit and/or a lunch/coffee break. Anyone who comes to Würzburg and does not know the city should plan at least half a day for the first tour of the sights of the old town. The Residence Palace is one of Europe’s most renowned Baroque castles and was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1981. From the old bridge “Alte Mainbrücke,” you can enjoy fantastic views of the Fortress Marienberg, the pilgrimage church “Käppele,” and the famous vineyards. There is a lot to visit for the interested guest! Enjoy the night in Würzburg.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Würzburg
Distance: 65km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Explore Würzburg to Lohr am Main
Take a break to stroll through the famous Veitshöchheim rococo garden (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage). Afterwards, there are several places to stop for a break, but a short rest in the old town of Karlstadt is a must. Lohr am Main is a charming little town in the Main-Spessart administrative district with a fairytale old town centre and a wealth of noteworthy sights.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Lohr am Main
Distance: 60km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Cycle from Lohr am Main to Wertheim
Castle Rothenfels greets you from the opposite river-bank. At its feet lies the village of Rothenfels, with around 700 inhabitants the smallest municipality with a town charter in Bavaria. Following the cycle path, you will be guided through the old town of Marktheidenfeld. Images of an old shipyard come to life. Homburg and Urphar hold architectural gems, then the city of Wertheim welcomes you with its imposing castle. What was once a medieval residence city remains today an entirely romantic location that invites you to take a trip through time and to enjoy lazy strolls.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Wertheim
Distance: 44km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Go from Wertheim to Miltenberg
At Wertheim, you cross the Main to Kreuzwertheim and are back on Bavarian soil. The Main Cycle Path runs via Faulbach to Stadtprozelten with the Henneberg ruins. The town of Stadtprozelten has little space between the Main and the steep foothills of the Spessart and is therefore elongated. There are also beautiful Franconian half-timbered houses and the remains of a medieval city wall. The historic Miltenberg is picturesquely embedded on the left knee of the Main quadrangle between the hills of Spessart and Odenwald. Visitors flock to the medieval half-timbered houses, the well-known Schnatterloch and the Mildenburg, which towers over the city.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Miltenberg
Distance: 36km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Bike from MIltenberg to Aschaffenburg
The wine from the region around Klingenberg was alone worth a trip to this part of the Main valley for the most famous German poet Goethe. This region called “Untermain” (“lower Main”) has kept its special charm and character. The best winemakers are here, specialising in red wines – which is rare in Germany. As a city of culture, Aschaffenburg has palaces, parks and museums. You may discover and experience the ever-changing history of the city within short walking distances. In the evening, you can stroll through the old city centre to see the churches and, of course, the castle situated at the riverbank. Spend one night in Aschaffenburg!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aschaffenburg
Distance: 40km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Explore Aschaffenburg and depart
Today’s tour leads you to Frankfurt. In the morning you bike along the Main River to the small and romantic city Seligenstadt with its meandering alleys, half-timber houses and the basilica. In Seligenstadt you are crossing the Main River on a small ferry. You will pass Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm brothers were born. Via Klein-Krotzenburg and Steinheim, with its charming historic center you will soon reach Frankfurt. Germany’s big financial centre is a city of many sides. The central business district, Bankenviertel, captures your attention right away and has all ten of the tallest skyscrapers in the country. Opposite that sci-fi cityscape is the Museumsufer, an entire neighbourhood of museums that could keep you fascinated and entertained for days. Frankfurt also has a city centre bursting with sights like the church that held Germany’s first democratic parliament, and the childhood home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Under the gaze of those skyscrapers are fun-loving neighbourhoods like Sachsenhausen, where taverns serve traditional Apfelwein and there’s always something going on at night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Frankfurt
Distance: 56km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Departure
Decide if you’d like to leave from here or spend more days exploring Frankfurt.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Bavaria Main River Bike Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of the rooms that you need.
Prices below are per person:
- Price per person staying in a single room: from $1,395 USD*
- Price per person sharing a double room: from $1,075 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the Book Now button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. Hotel upgrades are available.
Book NowAccommodation on Bavaria Main River Bike Tour
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3 and 4-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on. You can also upgrade the hotels to premium with an extra supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Standard hotels
3-Star hotels along Main River
Enjoy the selection of different hotels or wineries in 3 star category along your route.
Premium hotels
Romantik Hotel Messerschmitt in Bamberg ★★★★
The Romantik Hotel Messerschmitt boasts a charming experience. Stay close to the hustle and bustle of Bamberg and enjoy exploring nearby sights.
Altstadt Hotel in Hassfurt ★★★
Altstadt Hotel is a cozy accommodation with an ideal setting for kicking back and relaxing after a day of cycling. Enjoy the on-site restaurant!
Romantik Hotel in Volkach ★★★★
The Romantik Hotel in Volkach beautifully intertwines their 600-year-old history with modern design. Enjoy the delicious Franconian cuisine.
Maritim Hotel in Würzburg ★★★★
Enjoy views of the Main while you revel in your luxurious accommodation. The Maritim Hotel’s location grants the chance to easily explore the area by foot!
Hotel Bundschuh in Lor ★★★
The individual atmosphere of an hotel is imparted by the people who run it. The Hotel Bundschuh has been in the capable hands of the Bundschuh family since its doors opened in 1962.
Bronnbacher Hof in Wertheim ★★★
The Bronnbacher Hof is a charming hotel that offers a clean and relaxing experience. Expect decent WiFi and spacious rooms!
Flair Hotel Hopfengarten in Miltenberg ★★★
The family-friendly Flair Hotel Hopfengarten in Miltenberg boasts WiFi and TVs in each room. So enjoy a relaxing, lazy night if you so desire!
City-Hotel Aschaffenburg ★★★★
City Hotel-Aschaffenburg boasts modern amenities, comfortable and elegant rooms, air conditioning, WiFi, and much more. Moreover, it’s close to the city centre!
Hotel Maingau in Frankfurt ★★★★
This modern hotel offers excellent amenities: mini bar, satellite TV, and more. Hotel Maingau has been run by the same family for more than 60 years.
What’s Included in the Bavaria Main River Bike Tour?
Meals
9 breakfasts are included on the Bavarian Main River Bike Tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transfers are included, however, you are in charge of any other transfers needed, such as train or ferry transfers. You can book private transfers to and from the airport in Frankfurt for an additional fee.
Also Included
- 1 package with maps and information material per room (in English language)
- 24-hours-service-hotline during your cycling holidays
- GPS-tracks for navigation via a smartphone app or Garmin
- CO2 compensation in the region
Not included
- Flights to and from Frankfurt or whichever airport you decide to fly into
- Lunch and dinner throughout the tour
- Snacks
- Ferry & train fares not mentioned as included
- Drinks outside of breakfast
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Private transfers from the airport
- Hotel upgrades
- Bike rental
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