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Panoramic view of Heidelberg showing the red sandstone Old Bridge crossing the Neckar River, colorful historic buildings along the riverbank, and Heidelberg Castle on the forested hillside.

Cycling along the German wine road

A cycle tour through paradise

8 Days / 7 Nights
Moderate
Panoramic view of Heidelberg showing the red sandstone Old Bridge crossing the Neckar River, colorful historic buildings along the riverbank, and Heidelberg Castle on the forested hillside.

The essentials at a glance

Self-guided cycling tour along the German Wine Route through the Palatinate region. The route follows flat paths beside the Rhine and Neckar rivers, with more undulating terrain along the wine route. Highlights include UNESCO-listed Speyer Cathedral, Heidelberg University, historic towns like Worms and Karlsruhe, picturesque wine villages, and scenic vineyards. The tour covers approximately 318 km over 7 cycling days with moderate difficulty, featuring accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels with breakfast included.

Blossoming almond, cherry and apple trees provide a striking contrast to snow still lingering in the surrounding countryside. Thanks to the region’s mild, almost Mediterranean climate, kiwis, figs, grapes and even tobacco thrive here. Your cycling holiday follows the Rhine and Neckar rivers and explores the famous German Wine Route, combining beautiful and varied landscapes with excellent cuisine, fascinating cultural attractions and the warm hospitality for which the area is renowned.

 

Highlights on this tour

  • Beautiful views along the German Wine Road
  • The baroque town of Rastatt
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • The world’s largest wine barrel in Bad Dürkheim

The route

The cycling routes beside the Rhine and Neckar are entirely flat and free from climbs. Along the German Wine Route, the landscape becomes more undulating, with some hillier sections.

Itinerary

See the day-by-day itinerary below.

Neustadt an der Weinstraße is often regarded as the unofficial wine capital of the Palatinate. Take some time to discover the town’s historic lanes, welcoming wine taverns and picturesque surroundings, where vineyards meet the wooded hills of the Palatinate Forest. One of the town’s more unusual attractions is the Elwetritsche Fountain, dedicated to a legendary creature from local folklore.

Category A+B  - Hotel (example): Panorama

Today’s route winds through atmospheric wine-growing villages and a landscape shaped by vineyards. In the former fortified town of Landau, you can explore the spacious Rathausplatz and see the historic Altes Kaufhaus. Near Klingenmünster, Landeck Castle offers magnificent views across the Rhine Valley. After arriving in Bad Bergzabern, you may wish to visit the Baroque palace, the historic Engel inn and the Westwall Museum.

Category A - Hotel (example): Pfälzer Wald
Category B - Hotel (example): Kurparkblick

Shortly after setting off, you pass the German Wine Gate in Schweigen before crossing into France and reaching the Alsatian town of Wissembourg. Its historic centre and former Benedictine abbey are well worth exploring. The journey continues at a relaxed pace through the forests of Bienwald and the Lauter Valley towards the Rhine. Your destination is Rastatt, renowned for its magnificent Baroque residential palace.

Category A - Hotel (example): Schwert
Category B - Hotel (example): Ibis Styles

A particularly scenic stretch beside the Rhine takes you towards Karlsruhe, a former royal residence where the palace and the city’s distinctive pyramid are among the main attractions. From here, you continue into the Hördter Rheinauen, the largest nature reserve in the Palatinate. The day concludes in Germersheim, whose past as a fortified town can still be seen in its historic architecture.

Category A+B - Hotel (example): Germersheimer Hof

Following the Rhine, you arrive in the former imperial city of Speyer. The city’s impressive Romanesque cathedral is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms one of today’s cultural highlights. Later, you pass through Schwetzingen, where the elegant palace and its extensive gardens invite you to pause before continuing to Heidelberg, home to Germany’s oldest university.

Category A- Hotel (example): Qube Bergheim
Category B - Hotel (example): Premier Inn City

Leaving Heidelberg, you cycle beside the Neckar to Ladenburg, a historic town with almost 2,000 years of cultural heritage. Your journey then continues to Worms, one of Germany’s oldest cities. Here, you can visit the Imperial Cathedral of St Peter, see the Luther Monument or explore the city’s historic Jewish cemetery, which is considered the largest of its kind in Europe.

Category A - Hotel (example): Dom-Hotel
Category B - Hotel (example): Asgard

Today, you reach the northern section of the German Wine Route. Along the way, consider stopping in the distinguished wine village of Bockenheim and the atmospheric medieval village of Neuleiningen. In Bad Dürkheim, you can see the world’s largest wine barrel and visit the enormous graduation tower in the spa gardens, where salt-rich water creates a refreshing microclimate.

Category A - Hotel (example): Mercure
Category B - Hotel (example): Marktschänke

The final cycling stage is deliberately short, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the celebrated wine villages along the route. Wachenheim, Forst and Deidesheim all offer inviting places to stop and sample the region’s wines. You then cycle through the area known as the “Balcony of the Palatinate” before returning to your starting point in Neustadt an der Weinstraße. Your cycling holiday ends upon arrival, unless you have booked an additional night in Neustadt.

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

The price includes

ACCOMMODATION

  • 7 nights at 3- and 4-star hotels

 

FOOD & DRINKS

  • Breakfast every day

 

CYCLING & EXPERIENCES

  • 7 days of cycling (approx. 318 km in total)
  • Welcome meeting
  • Standard bike hire (can be excluded for a discount)
  • Detailed descriptions of the carefully selected routes (route maps, route descriptions, information about relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers – in English)
  • Access to the route in our GPS app, which also works offline (one access per person)
  • Option for GPX files for use in your own GPS

TRANSPORT

  • Luggage transport between the hotels

 

OTHER

GENERAL

  • Transport to/from Germany
  • Handling fee (€ 25)
  • Travel insurance

 

REQUIRED AND PAID LOCALLY

  • Any tourist taxes at the hotels
  • Ferry tickets in Neuburg (approximately €2.50 per person including bicycle) 

OPTIONAL
The following can be selected in the booking form, when you book the tour.

  • Rental of electric bike (selected when booking the tour)

 

Use the button "Calculate price" on this page to see what the tour will cost with your wanted inclusions.

PARKING
It is possible to park at the first hotel or nearby. Parking cannot be reserved in advance and must be arranged directly with the hotel (expect a cost of approximately €10–20 per day).

Bikes

You can choose from these bikes on the tour.
Red unisex touring bicycle with 21-speed gearing, equipped with bright yellow panniers on front and rear, parked on grass.
Unisex 21-speed bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 190cm.

43cm
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red electric bicycle with yellow panniers parked on green grass. The e-bike has a front basket and rear pannier bag, both in bright yellow.
Unisex 8-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm
Red men's touring bicycle with 21 gears parked on grass. Features yellow panniers on rear rack and handlebar bag, black saddle and grips.
21-gear men's bike
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

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

Body size approx. 165cm - 205cm.

56-51 "sloping" cm
60cm
64cm
Dark gray touring bicycle with rear rack, front suspension, and multiple gears parked on vibrant green grass beside a paved path.
PLUS men's bike 27-gear
Dereilleur gears with freewheel

Sportier, lighter and more precise premium rental bike with diamond frame.

Body size approx. 155cm - 205cm.

46cm
50cm
51cm
55cm
60cm
63cm

Practical information

Here you can get answers to various questions about the trip
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The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.

On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.

 

Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill out any forms. Here’s how:

  1. Click on the "Calculate Price" button (you’ll find it in the "Dates and Prices" section) – this will take you to the first pages of the booking form
  2. Select your preferred date, number of people, room distribution, any extra nights, and any available add-ons you may want
  3. See the price


Get a quote
If you would like a flight included, or changes made to the trip, you can request a customized offer by clicking the "Get Quote" button at the top of the page. Remember to describe in detail what changes you would like.

The booking process
When you book the trip, we will begin booking hotels and arranging all the practical aspects of your tour. This process typically takes 5–8 working days, but in some cases it may take longer for certain bookings. If you arrange your own transportation, we recommend waiting until we have confirmed your booking before making any arrangements.

Dates
If you can select a date in the trip calendar (in the booking form), then this is a possible start date. We regularly update our trips with sold-out dates; these dates will then appear in red/grey and cannot be selected.

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form.

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

Please note that helmets are not included and you need to bring your own.

Roadside assistance
All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

Insurance is included
Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

The flights to/from Frankfurt are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 3-5 working days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

On this tour you can choose between two levels of accomadations.
Category B - which is well chosen Hotels, and inns of 3*** level with breakfast included. 
Category A - which will accommodate you in 3-star and 4-star hotels with breakfast included.

In the itinerary you can see some examples of the hotels we use on this tour. Notice that the hotels are examples and you may end up staying in different hotels. It depends on availability when you book the tour.

On this tour breakfast is included every day. It is easy to find lunch and dinner in the towns along the way.

Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.

Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.

Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.

On this tour, you will receive the following documents:

Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.

One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.

Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags, specific local vouchers and if you have rented a bike, they will also be handed out at the first hotel. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.

This journey has a difficulty level of 2-3, which means that most days on the tour are grade 2 and a few are grade 3.

Grade 2
For cyclists who like hilly terrain and a bit longer distances. You cycle on good roads, which usually don’t have much traffic. The distance is between 35 – 60 km or 20 – 38 miles. If you are capable of riding a bike and you have a normal good health, you should not worry to join these trips.

Grade 3
Longer distances in hilly terrain, often with steep climbs. The distance is usually 65 – 80 km or 40 – 50 miles per day. Requires good shape and health. We highly recommend that you practice on some longer rides before you leave home.

See more about trip gradings for cylcing holidays 

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

Join the special ‘Bering Cycling Holidays’ group on Facebook. Here you'll be notified about new holidays, special offers and much more.

Link to the group

Note: you need to request membership, but everyone is approved.

When you book a trip with us, we plant a tree in Kenya.

Bering Travel partners with Growing Trees Network, which has been planting trees in Kenya since 2020 in collaboration with Seniorer uden Grænser (Seniors Without Borders). The trees are planted with small-scale local farmers in the Mount Kenya region, as well as at schools, where the fruit helps supplement students’ diets and is incorporated into their learning.

The trees are planted using the shamba method – a sustainable approach that combines reforestation with agricultural crops. This keeps the soil covered with vegetation throughout the year, helping to prevent nutrient loss and reduce erosion.

The contribution to tree planting comes directly from Bering Travel’s own earnings and is not added to the price of your trip.

This initiative is not intended as a carbon offset for travel, but as a way to make a positive contribution.

Read more

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