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Half-timbered houses and medieval tower reflected in Pegnitz River in Nuremberg's Old Town, with stone bridge and weeping willow trees.

Five Rivers of Bavaria

Romantic in White-Blue

8 Days / 7 Nights
Medium
Half-timbered houses and medieval tower reflected in Pegnitz River in Nuremberg's Old Town, with stone bridge and weeping willow trees.

Let's go to Bavaria: to the land of the white and blue flag, to the land of cosiness and hospitality, to the land of countless breweries, but also to the land of history and baroque. To a completely "new Bavaria" far away from clichés! The unspoilt natural landscape captivates with its diversity and contrasts. A fascinating mosaic of romantic river valleys, striking rock formations, soft forest and hilly landscapes, caves, sparse juniper heaths, and the frequently encountered imposing backdrop of castles, castle ruins, Renaissance and iron hammer castles characterise the landscape and are witnesses to a vibrant past. All this is Bavaria - diverse and lovable! The five rivers Vils, Naab, Danube, Altmühl and Pegnitz are your companions. Take time for the beautiful old towns, the small, dreamy villages and the varied landscapes. Experience the rough loveliness of the Upper Palatinate, the charm of Middle Franconia and the delicacies of Bavarian cuisine. Take a break in a hearty beer garden and treat yourself to a decent beer. A pleasure trip by bike!

The journey starts in Nuremberg and leads you along the Ludwig Canal to Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate. Then you will go via Beilngries and Dietfurt to Riedenburg. On the next day, you can explore the Danube gorge by boat,before you travel along the Danube via Bad Abbach to Regensburg. The next stop is at Amberg, and then finally you will travel  to Hersbruck and back to Nuremberg.

  • Nuremberg: the old imperial city is very impressive, with the magnificent imperial castle and interesting museums. The cityscape is characterised by rustic town houses and enchanting churches.
  • Neumarkt: the landmark of Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate is the legendary ruins of Wolfstein castle, which sit enthroned on a mountain ridge. It is also worthwhile to walk through the picturesque old town.
  • Sulzbach-Rosenberg: this town was built on a mighty rock approximately 1,000 years ago, and looks back on a long tradition of being a mountain town.
  • Hersbruck: it is clear to see that this town, which has kept its original flair, was once the centre of hop cultivation and trade.

On this cycling holiday, you should be prepared for a medium level of difficulty. There is a steady climb on the first stage and short climbs beyond Amberg. There are no significant gradients elsewhere. You cycle on small country roads and on forest or farm paths, which are either asphalt or gravel. You will only encounter higher traffic volumes in the larger cities and on short stretches.

Itinerary at a glance

Begin your journey in Nuremberg with a visit to the Imperial Castle. Idyllic nature and river landscapes will accompany you to the ruins of Wolfstein Castle near Neumarkt, the charming town of Sulzbach-Rosenberg, or the former hop-growing town of Hersbruck.

Nuremberg – with a history of a 1000 years: The old free city with its grande emperor castle, famous churches and museums attracts lots of tourists year after year. In the old part you will find pretty town houses, proud churches, the castle and the old town’s wall, which is a ring of 5 kilometres around the inner part of the city.

You leave the historical Nuremberg and roll along the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, a listed building, through beautiful nature to Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate. A special landmark of the city is the castle ruin Wolfstein, which is enthroned on a mountain ridge. The old town with its striking church towers is always worth a visit.

Today, they alternately drive along "oxbow lakes" of the Altmühl, which captivate above all by their originality. Via Beilngries and Dietfurt you reach the three-castle town of Riedenburg, which lies at the foot of the ruins of Tachenstein, Rabenstein and Rosenburg.

The final kilometers on the Altmühl Cycle Path will take you to Kelheim. In Kelheim, you can visit the Liberation Hall or take a boat trip on the Danube to Weltenburg Abbey, known for its famous beer garden, before cycling to Regensburg and exploring its charming old town.

Leaving Regensburg behind you, you will find yourself cycling through meadows, forests and fields along the river Naab. On both sides of the river impressive rocks aim for the sky, some as high as 100 metres. At the ruin of the castle Kallmünz you will change rivers once again: The river Vils now guides you to Amberg. If you are a culture nerd, you must stop and have a look at the “Hammerherrenschloss” castle in Theuern, before you tackle the last kilometres to Amberg.

After a flat section today’s stage has some uphill climbing in the game for you. You reach the 1000 year old town Sulzbach-Rosenberg, which was built on impressive rocks far above. After a short break in this town you cycle on through one of the regions with the most forests in Germany, the “Hersbrucker Schweiz”. The town of Hersburg was a centre for hop-growing and -trade for over centuries. Look up at the roofs: Some of the old wooden carvings still remind you of the hop-growing tradition.

The famous “watergate” shows you the way out of the town Hersburg and you cycle along the river Pegnitz through its beautiful valley. Castle Henfendfeld will watch over you from the top of a hill along the way. The town of Lauf at the river Pegnitz, the “gate to Franconia” is also worth a visit. Through glorious avenues, lined with many green trees, you cycle into Nuremberg. If you want to, we are happy to book an additional night in Nuremberg for you. Otherwise we wish you “good-bye” and safe travels home.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

Begin your journey in Nuremberg with a visit to the Imperial Castle. Idyllic nature and river landscapes will accompany you to the ruins of Wolfstein Castle near Neumarkt, the charming town of Sulzbach-Rosenberg, or the former hop-growing town of Hersbruck.

Nuremberg – with a history of a 1000 years: The old free city with its grande emperor castle, famous churches and museums attracts lots of tourists year after year. In the old part you will find pretty town houses, proud churches, the castle and the old town’s wall, which is a ring of 5 kilometres around the inner part of the city.

You leave the historical Nuremberg and roll along the Ludwig-Danube-Main Canal, a listed building, through beautiful nature to Neumarkt in the Upper Palatinate. A special landmark of the city is the castle ruin Wolfstein, which is enthroned on a mountain ridge. The old town with its striking church towers is always worth a visit.

Today, they alternately drive along "oxbow lakes" of the Altmühl, which captivate above all by their originality. Via Beilngries and Dietfurt you reach the three-castle town of Riedenburg, which lies at the foot of the ruins of Tachenstein, Rabenstein and Rosenburg.

The final kilometers on the Altmühl Cycle Path will take you to Kelheim. In Kelheim, you can visit the Liberation Hall or take a boat trip on the Danube to Weltenburg Abbey, known for its famous beer garden, before cycling to Regensburg and exploring its charming old town.

Leaving Regensburg behind you, you will find yourself cycling through meadows, forests and fields along the river Naab. On both sides of the river impressive rocks aim for the sky, some as high as 100 metres. At the ruin of the castle Kallmünz you will change rivers once again: The river Vils now guides you to Amberg. If you are a culture nerd, you must stop and have a look at the “Hammerherrenschloss” castle in Theuern, before you tackle the last kilometres to Amberg.

After a flat section today’s stage has some uphill climbing in the game for you. You reach the 1000 year old town Sulzbach-Rosenberg, which was built on impressive rocks far above. After a short break in this town you cycle on through one of the regions with the most forests in Germany, the “Hersbrucker Schweiz”. The town of Hersburg was a centre for hop-growing and -trade for over centuries. Look up at the roofs: Some of the old wooden carvings still remind you of the hop-growing tradition.

The famous “watergate” shows you the way out of the town Hersburg and you cycle along the river Pegnitz through its beautiful valley. Castle Henfendfeld will watch over you from the top of a hill along the way. The town of Lauf at the river Pegnitz, the “gate to Franconia” is also worth a visit. Through glorious avenues, lined with many green trees, you cycle into Nuremberg.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Difficulty Level

Medium

Easy, steady ascent on the first stage from Nuremberg to Neumarkt, and some short climbs behind Amberg. The rest of the tour runs without any steep gradients. The route leads mostly on smaller country roads, forest and farm roads, which are mostly asphalted, partly gravelled. You only have to expect a higher traffic volume in larger cities or a few short sections.
 

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Our Rental Bikes

The different types of rental bikes at a glance

Unisex Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Unisex bike

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Available gear options can be found in the price table

Men's Rental Bike - Symbol photo
Men's bike

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Available gear options can be found in the price table

E-Bike rental bike - Symbol photo
Unisex Electro bike

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English, French, Dutch)
  • GPS-data
  • Servicehotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Nuremberg train station
  • Nuremberg or Munich airport
  • Public parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 35 per week

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in hotels at 3***-level
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Travel documents package incl. GPS-data and route book, 1x per room
  • Servicehotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Nuremberg train station
  • Nuremberg or Munich airport
  • Public parking spaces, costs approx. EUR 35 per week

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Paula Plafinger

"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"

Paula Plafinger
Travel Specialist
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Friday: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
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