Main bike path

Individual journey to Bamberg. You should start your cycle tour with a tour of the city of Emperor Henry II, who dreamed of, built and loved Bamberg. It is not without reason that UNESCO has awarded the entire historic centre of Bamberg the title of ‘World Heritage Site’.

Perhaps a short tour through the city of seven hills and a last look from the observation tower of the graceful Geyerwörth castle with its unforgettable view before you leave Bamberg. The Main Cycle Route takes you from the realms of ‘Beer Franconia’ to ‘Wine Franconia’. The cosy little half-timbered and wine town of Zeil am Main is the first proof of this. Your stage destination of Haßfurt lies at the foot of the Haßberge mountains. A stroll will show you rarities from the past, such as the unique Haßfurt Knight's Chapel by Tilmann Riemenschneider.

The Main first leads you to the ‘ball bearing city’ of Schweinfurt. Cycle comfortably along the well-developed Main cycle path through romantic villages, wide vineyards, extensive orchards and lush green meadows along the Main. Shortly before Volkach, you should pay a visit to Tilman Riemenschneider's most famous carving: The ‘Madonna in the Rosary’ in the pilgrimage church of St Mary. The best Franconian wines grow and thrive around Volkach: whether Riesling, Silvaner, Pinot Blanc or Beerenauslese.

Via the wine trading town of Kitzingen, you cycle mostly directly along the Main towards the ‘sugar town’ of Ochsenfurt. You leave Ochsenfurt via the old stone Main bridge and cycle steadily along the right bank of the river, accompanied by barrages, marinas and vineyards.
marinas and vineyards, along the right bank of the river. Again and again you pass charming little villages - not least your stage destination Sommerhausen, surrounded by vineyards and orchards.

Today you cross the old residential city of Würzburg and can explore the Old Main Bridge, St Mary's Chapel and the Würzburg Residence on a relaxed city tour. North of Würzburg, in the Main-Franconian wine-growing region, you reach your stage destination Karlstadt - or ‘Karscht’ in Main-Franconian dialect.

The Main triangle is now followed by the Main quadrangle, the first corner of which is Gemünden. Here you are already in the Spessart Nature Park, which you can enjoy a wonderful view of from the Scherenburg ruins. The route then continues with ever tighter bends through wooded hills. At Rothenfels, the Romanesque castle watches over the narrow valley and your route; Marktheidenfeld, situated between the Main and Spessart rivers, is characterised by Franconian wine culture.

After the next bend in the river, the view falls on Stadtprozelten, where one of the most beautiful castle ruins on the Main, the Henneburg, towers above the town. With Freudenberg, you reach a recognised recreational resort which, in addition to Kneipp facilities, a bathing lake and the historic town centre, also has a castle ruin from the late 12th century to offer.

In Miltenberg, the ‘Schnatterloch’, one of the most picturesque German squares and a world-famous photo motif, and the ‘Riesen’ inn are particularly famous. You then head towards the small town of Klingenberg with its vineyards, wine taverns and hedgerow inns. You ‘glide’ along the Main cycle path to the ‘Spessart metropolis’ of Aschaffenburg. Even from a distance, the tower of Johannisburg Castle shows you the way. Impressive historical buildings bear witness to the historical significance of Aschaffenburg.

Park landscapes of allotments and villa neighbourhoods are gradually being replaced by restaurants and beer gardens. In Seligenstadt it is worth taking a break and taking a deep breath: You shouldn't miss the rose and spice garden of the Einhard basilica and the medieval pharmacy is also worth a visit. A little further along the river and you have reached Frankfurt, the metropolis on the Main.

Today you tackle your last cycling stage along the lower reaches of the Main. First you cycle through fields, orchards and vineyards to Flörsheim and through the half-timbered town of Hochheim. Once again, the Main landscape shows its most beautiful side. There are still two bridges to cross before you reach the historic city centre of Mainz.

After breakfast, individual return journey or start of your extension.