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View of the village of Homburg on the Main, with a fishing barge in the foreground and hills in the background

Main, Spessart and Tauber Valley

The most beautiful tour in Franken

8 Days / 7 Nights
Challenging
View of the village of Homburg on the Main, with a fishing barge in the foreground and hills in the background

Start and destination of this circular tour is the highlight: Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You cycle from the gentle Tauber Valley on the romantic Main river and pass the impressive residential town of Wurzburg and many small timber-frame towns, forts, castles and monasteries. Wine-makers produce excellent wines here and lovers of beer will also find what they are looking for. Discover Francian hospitality here in this border area between Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. Mostly along cycle paths and quiet farm paths. A few sections are along quiet roads.

The charming town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is widely known for its beautiful Christmas market, but its medieval cityscape is also breathtaking in summer. The Tauber and Main rivers accompany you until you reach Ochsenfurt, with its delightful old town — enjoy a glass of Franconian wine in one of the local wine taverns after your first cycling stage. On Day 3, you’ll cycle through the picturesque Main Valley to Gemünden, passing the cultural gems Würzburg and Veitshöchheim along the way.

Further along, you’ll discover Wertheim and Tauberbischofsheim, two Franconian villages full of charm and half-timbered houses. Between them, the route winds through vineyards whose fine wines can be tasted in the traditional Heckenwirtschaften (seasonal wine taverns). The path continues via Bad Mergentheim to Weikersheim, where you can visit the beautiful castle. On Day 7, you’ll pedal for the last time on this holiday, cycling via Creglingen before returning to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

  • The Rococo Garden in Veitshöchheim: In this tranquil Main River village, you’ll find not only a lovely riverside promenade but also a magnificent Rococo garden surrounding the palace in the town center — definitely worth exploring. Don’t miss the charming Shell House (Muschelhaus). Before your visit, treat yourself to a “Wundertüte” (surprise cone) at the famous Eis Stephan ice cream shop.
  • Franconian Villages and Wines: The region in northern Bavaria and Hesse is known for its idyllic villages with historic half-timbered houses and medieval castles. The landscape seems almost magical thanks to the countless vineyards, where excellent white wines thrive on the chalky soils.
  • Festive Atmosphere in Rothenburg ob der Tauber: Rothenburg’s reputation is shaped by its annual Christmas market and the German Christmas Museum, which is open year-round. The museum displays an impressive collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations from different eras, offering insight into the history and development of Christmas celebrations in Germany. The town’s well-preserved medieval architecture adds to its fairy-tale charm and attracts visitors from around the world.

Cycling along the Main and Tauber Rivers, you’ll enjoy stunning natural scenery. At times, the route leads through hilly vineyard terrain, so a basic level of fitness is recommended. Each of the six stages covers up to 65 kilometers per day. Several cultural highlights are included in your travel package — such as a guided night watchman tour in Rothenburg and admission to Weikersheim Castle.

Our cycle tours in Germany offer the perfect experience for every fitness level and taste — whether you prefer views of the Alps in southern Germany or the sea in northern Germany,

Itinerary at a glance

You'll pass through romantic landscapes, historical towns, and stately buildings in Ochsenfurt, Gemünden, and Wertheim. In Rothenburg, explore the old town and visit the famous Christmas Museum, open year-round.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is regarded as the epitome of German Romanticism and abroad as a prototype of a medieval German town. Take a stroll through the old town guided by an „original“ night watchman.

You follow the Tauber river and cross a mountain range on an old railway line. Down to the Main valley to Ochsenfurt which is enclosed by a well-preserved medieval fortification.

Take a stroll through Wurzburg and visit the majestic Residence. Cycle through vineyards to Gemunden or Rieneck.

Follow the Main to Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy the view over the landscape you have crossed from the remains of an old castle.

Upstream along the Tauber you cycle through more vineyards, passing Tauberbischofsheim and the romantic city of Bad Mergentheim before you get to Weikersheim.

Visit the historic old town of Bad Mergentheim and admire the charming half-timbered houses and the old town hall from the Renaissance period. In Weikersheim, you can visit the castle.

On the last stage of your round tour, you should take a break in Creglingen and visit the Lindlein Tower, a rare example of village life in the 18th century. Sewing enthusiasts should definitely pay a visit to the Fingerhut Museum displaying countless sewing supplies from all over the world through the ages.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Itinerary at a glance

You'll pass through romantic landscapes, historical towns, and stately buildings in Ochsenfurt, Gemünden, and Wertheim. In Rothenburg, explore the old town and visit the famous Christmas Museum, open year-round.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is regarded as the epitome of German Romanticism and abroad as a prototype of a medieval German town. Take a stroll through the old town guided by an „original“ night watchman.

You follow the Tauber river and cross a mountain range on an old railway line. Down to the Main valley to Ochsenfurt which is enclosed by a well-preserved medieval fortification.

Take a stroll through Wurzburg and visit the majestic Residence. Cycle through vineyards to Gemunden or Rieneck.

Follow the Main to Wertheim, located at the confluence of the Main and Tauber rivers. Enjoy the view over the landscape you have crossed from the remains of an old castle.

Upstream along the Tauber you cycle through more vineyards, passing Tauberbischofsheim and the romantic city of Bad Mergentheim before you get to Weikersheim.

Visit the historic old town of Bad Mergentheim and admire the charming half-timbered houses and the old town hall from the Renaissance period. In Weikersheim, you can visit the castle.

On the last stage of your round tour, you should take a break in Creglingen and visit the Lindlein Tower, a rare example of village life in the 18th century. Sewing enthusiasts should definitely pay a visit to the Fingerhut Museum displaying countless sewing supplies from all over the world through the ages.

Day
08

Departure or extension

Difficulty Level

Challenging

Mostly on cycle paths and quiet farm roads, with a few sections on roads with little traffic. On the second, fifth and sixth day the route is slightly hillier.

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, Dutch)
  • 1 Town guidance with night watchman in Rothenburg (German)
  • 1 Entry Residence Palace bath Mergentheim (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
  • 1 Entry castle Weikersheim
  • GPS-data
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Rothenburg o.d. Tauber train station
  • Nuremberg, Frankfurt a.M or Munich airport
  • Free public parking spaces

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
  • 1 Town guidance with night watchman in Rothenburg
  • 1 Entry Residence Palace bath Mergentheim (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
  • 1 Entry castle Weikersheim (closed on Mondays)
  • Service hotline

Optional extras

  • Bike rental, including rental bike insurance

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Rothenburg o.d. Tauber train station
  • Nuremberg, Frankfurt or Munich airport
  • Free public parking spaces

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

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Paula Plafinger
Travel Specialist
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