© Transmedial
Unstrut Cycle Path – from the source in Eichsfeld to the River Saale
Bike Touring Collection by Unstrutradweg
6
days
1-2 h
/ day
132 mi
2,200 ft
3,125 ft
The Unstrut Cycle Path is one of the most beautiful river cycle paths in Germany’s Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt regions. It leads you through beautiful nature reserves, along sandstone cliffs and through steep vineyards. Along the way, lush green meadows and wide fields alternate with wildly romantic forests. Then, of course, the Unstrut River accompanies you from its source to its mouth in the Saale.
The Unstrut Cycle Path is about 200 kilometres (124 mi) long. From the source of the Unstrut near Kefferhausen in the Eichsfeld region, you ride through the Thuringian heartland, the Kyffhäuser region and southern Saxony-Anhalt to the mouth of the Saale near Naumburg. Over six stages, you pass through historic towns, such as Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza, encounter natural highlights such as the Thuringian Gate and pause at unique places, like the Heldrungen moated castle or the Nebra Ark Adventure Centre in Wangen.
You can get to the starting point from Dingelstädt by taking the RadBus (line 6) of the Eichsfeldwerke (info in German): eichsfeldwerke.de/bus/fahrinfo/leistungen-im-linienverkehr/radbus. You’ll find numerous places to stop for refreshments and overnight stays at the end of the short stages. In Naumburg, your end point, you can return home from the train station using local and long-distance trains, or you can continue your bike trip on the Saale Cycle Path, which you can connect to.
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Last updated: March 23, 2023
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Tours & Highlights
- 01:3917.5 mi10.6 mph350 ft925 ftEasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Unstrut Cycle Path begins right at the source of the Unstrut. This is just outside of Kefferhausen. The RadBus (line 6) of the Eichsfeldwerke takes you from Dingelstädt directly to the source.
At the starting point of the cycle path you jump on your bike and roll comfortably downhill. The route takes…
- 01:4418.3 mi10.6 mph200 ft325 ftEasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From the Schwanenteich in Mühlhausen you drive back to the Unstrut at the start of the second stage. You follow their course on flat paths. You are sometimes right on the river bank.
Then it goes through wide meadows and fields via Thamsbrück to the stage destination Bad Langensalza. In the charming spa…
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- 02:3927.9 mi10.5 mph425 ft575 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The third stage takes you out of Bad Langensalza in the direction of Nagelstedt, where you meet the Unstrut again. From here you cycle through a beautiful nature reserve to Großvargula.
Passing wide fields and lush green meadows, you then continue a little further away from the river and finally reach…
- 02:2624.7 mi10.2 mph375 ft400 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Directly in Sömmerda you attach yourself again to the Unstrut. The cycle path leads directly along the shore for eight kilometers. So you always have beautiful views of the river along the way, sometimes from viewing platforms. Continue across meadows and fields along the Lossa before you meet the Unstrut…
- 02:1223.2 mi10.5 mph475 ft450 ftIntermediateIntermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The fifth stage is also mostly flat. From Artern you always cycle along the banks of the Unstrut. You are surrounded by lush meadows and colorful fields. About halfway, it's worth making a detour to Wiehe to visit the world's largest year-round model railway system. A little further in Wendelstein you…
- 01:5520.7 mi10.8 mph400 ft475 ftEasyEasy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Today is the last stage of the Unstrut cycle path. It will be particularly beautiful and, as always, pleasantly flat. It starts in Nebra. From here you drive to Karsdorf, where you can take a break at the canoe dock. Here you also have the opportunity to rent a canoe and discover the Unstrut from the…
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Collection Stats
- Tours6
- Distance132 mi
- Duration12:35 h
- Elevation2,200 ft3,125 ft
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