Bike Touring Collection by Johanna
9-19
days
3-6 h
/ day
508 mi
30,800 ft
29,850 ft
The German Limes Cycle Path leads 800 kilometres (500 miles) through Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, and Bavaria. It traces the former course of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes, one of the most important archaeological monuments in Central Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cycle path is hugged by idyllic fields and meadow scenery. Deep forests such as the Odenwald and Swabian Forest also lie en route. The hilly landscape is challenging, but rewards with fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. You can look out across the fields from replicas Limes watchtower replicas which are dotted along the route. You can learn more about the rich history here at Roman forts and Limes museums, too.
In this Collection, I show you how to ride the German Limes Cycle Path in 17 stages, averaging around 45 kilometres (28 miles) in length. Your adventure begins on the banks of the River Rhine near the municipality of Rheinbrohl. You can reach the start by following the Rhine Cycle Path, or catching a train to a nearby station in Rheinbrohl, Bad Hönningen, or Bad Breisig.
You can find overnight accommodation in guesthouses, inns, hotels, or holiday rentals at the stage destinations. There are often train stations too, making it easy to cycle individual parts of the route. The cycle path concludes in the town of Regensburg where you can catch a train home after your incredible adventure through four federal states. If you prefer to continue your cycling adventure, you can do so on the Danube Cycle Path – have fun!
Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.
Last updated: December 6, 2021
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
The beginning of the German Limes cycle path is on the banks of the Rhine near Rheinbrohl. To get to the starting point, you have several options: Either you take the train to one of the train stations in Rheinbrohl, Bad Hönningen or Bad Breisig, which is on the other side of the bank. A ferry takes…
by Johanna
Immediately behind Höhr-Grenzhausen you dive back into the beautiful forest, in which you will always find traces of the Romans, such as a small fort. Sometimes these are a bit off the bike path, so keep an eye out for signs.
On a slightly hilly route you drive through the wonderful nature of the forests…
by Johanna
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
You leave Holzhausen an der Haide to the south and drive first on a relatively flat route over beautiful fields, then a crisp ascent leads you over the Grau Kopf through the forest. After a refreshing descent you will reach Laufenselden, where you can take a break.
Afterwards you drive through a hilly…
by Johanna
From Idstein you cycle in moderate up and down over wide fields and through quiet forests, right at the beginning you will pass a Limes tower that you can climb. From above you have a wonderful view of Idstein and the Taunus.
In Schloßborn, a long ascent to the Kleiner Feldberg begins. Once at the top…
by Johanna
From Langenhain-Ziegenberg you drive through the forest via Wiesental up to the Gerhardsköppel. Arrived on the bare mountain, you have an impressive view of the Wetterau. Then you can enjoy a relaxing descent over wide fields before climbing back up into the wooded mountains of the Taunus.
At an altitude…
by Johanna
At the start of the sixth stage, you leave Hungen heading south and cycle first to Inheidener See, then past the Knappenseen.
In the further course of the route, you will be accompanied by the wide fields and meadows of the Wetterau, which extend to the left and right of the path. Numerous birds such…
by Johanna
Today a mostly flat stage awaits you on the German Limes cycle path, at the beginning of which you leave the city of Erlensee to the south. Here you will pass the lake and nature reserve of the same name. Through an extensive forest, in which you pass the Neuwirtshaus small fort, you cycle to Großkrotzenburg…
by Johanna
Right at the start of the eighth stage you will pass the magnificent Löwenstein Castle. Shortly afterwards you leave the Main Valley and cycle along the Mud into the Odenwald. In the valley of the river it is still quite flat, while the romantically wooded hills of the low mountain range tower around…
by Johanna
The ninth stage starts with a steep climb that takes you up to a watchtower. After you have taken a short break here, you continue in a steady up and down through a beautiful landscape of fields, meadows and forests. On the way you can enjoy wonderful views and pass various Limes watchtowers.
After a…
by Johanna
From Öhringen, the start of the tenth stage is a long climb up to Heuberg, which at the end really picks up. Once at the top, you will find a nice resting place where you can take a breather with the best view.
Then it goes continuously uphill. On the way you either enjoy an unrestricted view of the hilly…
by Johanna
From Murrhard you climb back up into the mountains of the Swabian Forest at the start of this stage from the picturesque Murrtal. It goes quite steeply up to Köchersberg, then you drive in moderate up and down through the beautiful forest and meadow landscape. Especially from the higher, unwooded areas…
by Johanna
After you have left the beautiful Schwäbisch Gmünd, you cycle along the Rems and follow it to Essingen, where the river has its origin. In the village you can also take a leisurely break and stop in one of the restaurants or cafés, because here you have already made almost half of the stage.
Freshly strengthened…
by Johanna
On the 13th stage it goes straight uphill behind Schwabsberg, because you follow the Röhlinger Sechta upstream to Pfahlheim. This is where the 20 km long tributary of the Jagst has its origin.
After you have crossed the village, you continue uphill over picturesque fields. From the highest point at almost…
by Johanna
From Gunzenhausen you drive in a few ups and downs through mostly open landscape. At the edge of the path, wide fields stretch out like a colorful patchwork quilt. Short passages through shady forest areas provide a little refreshment, especially on warm days.
In the valley of the Swabian Rezat you have…
by Johanna
From Raitenbuch, at the start of the 15th stage, you cycle gently up and down the edge of the Raitenbuch forest. Over wide fields, it continues on a gently sloping route before you dive into the next forest area.
You cycle through idyllic forest and meadow landscape adorned by charming villages to Kipfenberg…
by Johanna
On the penultimate stage of the German Limes cycle path you cycle comfortably from Altmannstein to Kelheim. In moderate ups and downs you roll past wide fields and cross wild and romantic wooded areas.
After 13 kilometers you will reach the Danube at Hienheim and cross it with the Danube ferry. On the…
by Johanna
On the last stage there are hardly any inclines and the route leads almost the whole time along the water. With picturesque views of the Danube, you can once again review the incredible journey on the German Limes Cycle Route from Rhineland-Palatinate to Bavaria.
At the beginning of the stage you cycle…
by Johanna
Bike Touring Collection by Bahn und Fahrrad
Bike Touring Collection by Jesko
Bike Touring Collection by Amy
Hiking Collection by Goldsteig Wandern