The Fulda cycle path R1 — in 5 stages from the Rhön to the Weser
3-4
days
3-4 h
/ day
156 mi
3,175 ft
5,625 ft
From the wild and romantic Rhön, the Fuldaradweg meanders through a varied river valley to the town Bad Karlshafen. As you travel, you'll pass gentle hills and dense forests and cycle over wide fields, lush meadows and green ranges. You'll visit idyllic towns with pretty half-timbered houses, and you'll experience the best of this varied landscape.
The Fulda cycle path runs for 250 kilometers through northern Hesse and is also referred to as the Hessian Long-Distance Cycle Path R1. The starting point is the Fulda spring on the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön, while the destination is the baroque harbour of Bad Karlshafen.
The best way to get to the starting point on the Wasserkuppe is by the Rhöhnradbus. From the beginning of May to the beginning of October, the bus runs from Gerstfeld to the Wasserkuppe on weekends and holidays. To get to Gerstfeld, you can take the Rhönbahn. More information about the bike bus and the Rhönbahn can be found here: lng-fulda.de/de/Wochenendverkehr.
In each stage destination, you'll find a large selection of hotels and guesthouses where you can easily book a room. You'll also find a helpful train connection should you decide to shorten your trip for any reason.
When you arrive at the end of the Fulda cycle path in Bad Karlshafen, you can either choose to take the train back home—or to wherever you're going next—or to jump on the Weser Cycle Path to the Baltic Sea and continue you're ride north. For more information on the Weser cycle path, check out this Collection: komoot.com/collection/384/weser-cycle-trail
The Fulda cycle path is recommended in the brochure "Deutschland per Rad entdecken" by the ADFC (German Cyclist's Association).
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Easy01:5822.7 mi11.6 mph250 ft2,225 ft
On the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön springs the Fulda. The source is located at 850 meters altitude and this is where the Fuldaradweg begins. To the starting point on the Wasserkuppe you come in the summer best with the Rhönradbus. From there the bike path takes you to Fulda on the 38 kilometer long first leg. It goes downhill practically all the time.
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.Intermediate03:0031.6 mi10.6 mph650 ft800 ft
Today, it's 51 kilometers from Fulda to Bad Hersfeld. You cycle on a relatively flat, slightly sloping route always near the river through the Fulda Valley.After driving out of town, you dive into a beautiful meadow landscape, through which the Fulda meanders. The bike path passes pretty villages and takes you past gentle hills, romantic forests and wide fields. You always cycle near the river and sometimes even along the banks of the Fulda.
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- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The Tour includes a crossing by ferry.Intermediate03:1835.3 mi10.7 mph700 ft800 ftFerry
On the 53-kilometer stage today from Bad Hersfeld to Melsungen, a lot of idyllic nature awaits you again, which is replaced by some pretty half-timbered towns.Immediately after you have ridden out of Bad Hersfeld, you will find yourself in beautiful nature again. A small section through a grove makes the prelude, then it goes through magical field and meadow landscape, which extends along the Fulda. Left and right, the river valley is lined by wooded hills.
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate04:0140.4 mi10.1 mph1,025 ft1,175 ft
Today is the last stage on the Fulda cycle path. It takes you 64 kilometers from Melsungen via Kassel to Hann. Muzzle at the confluence of the Fulda and Werra rivers. On this last stage, the Fulda valley shows itself again from its most beautiful side.You cycle out of Melsungen directly along the shore and follow the playful arches …
- Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:2425.9 mi10.8 mph550 ft625 ft
The last stage of the Fulda cycle path takes you along the Weser from Hann. Münden to Bad Karlshafen. You leave the unique scenery with the countless half-timbered houses in the center of Hann.Münden and follow the meanders of the river to the north. In Vaake there is a beautiful fortified church made of field stones directly on the bike path, which invites you to take a short rest.
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Collection Stats
- Tours5
- Distance156 mi
- Duration14:40 h
- Elevation3,175 ft5,625 ft
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