Self-Guided Rhine River Bike Tour

Today’s bike route leads you from Frankfurt – always along the river Main – to the medieval old town of Höchst. It once belonged to the possessions of the Archbishopric of Main; today, it is a district of Frankfurt. After a leisurely break – perhaps with Ebbelwoi and handkäs with music (local apple wine and cheese) – the tour goes on towards Eddersheim. After you have passed the first vineyards and old towns, you will reach the river mouth of Main into the Rhine. Crossing the Rhine, you will now reach Mainz, the capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate. The city looks back on over 2000 years of history. Sights such as the mighty cathedral or the Gutenberg Museum await your visit.

After a relaxing night in the old Roman city of Mainz, you cycle today along the Rhine. Important wine towns and fantastic views are waiting for you. After you have passed the picturesque village of Eltville, you will reach the world-famous wine town of Rüdesheim am Rhein. A detour to the Niederwald monument with the chairlift is highly recommended. The view from the top is fantastic. Behind Rüdesheim, you change to the other side of the river. Soon, you will see Kaub with its almost 700-year-old toll castle, which stands on a small island in the middle of the Rhine. The tour continues through the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Upper Middle Rhine Valley.” The cultural landscape is characterized by growing wine. After a break in the picturesque town of Bacharach, with many photo motifs, you will reach Oberwesel. The small village still has parts of its city wall with 16 defensive towers. The medieval castle Schönburg is perched high on the valley trail. The many wine taverns invite you to a glass of wine and tasty specialties from the region.

The cycling tour continues on the left western bank of the Rhine. Between Urbar and St. Goar, you have a great view of the world-famous and legendary Loreley Rock. According to the narrative, a woman combed her hair on the rock her singing bewitched the sailors, who then capsized and died. A bronze statue at the foot of the rock recalls this legend. Next, continue on your bike to Boppard—there is a ride with a chair lift to the “Vierseenblick.” From here, you have a unique view of the Rhine.

Behind Boppard, it is only a few kilometers to Koblenz. High above the city lies the fortress Ehrenbreitstein. Since the national Garden Show 2011, a cable car has taken visitors from the Old Town across the Rhine to the former Prussian fortress. Emperor Wilhelm I in the city at the Rhine and Moselle will welcome you at the German corner.

The tour ends today! You can decide to go back to Frankfurt by train or stay in Koblenz.