Main: long tour

Arrive in time to visit Bayreuth with the margrave’s residence still revealing the charm of the past and famous in the whole world for the Richard-Wagner-festival.

Follow the young Red Main to Kulmbach today! Let the cozy atmosphere of this charming Franconian landscape at the confluence of the Red and the White Main and at the foot of the Frankenwald and the Fichtelgebirge captivate you. Visit the Old-town of Kulmbach and Plassenburg castle, enthroned majestically above the town. Now as red and white have flown together, you will actually move on by the side of the “real” Main in order to reach soon the pretty town of Burgkunstadt inviting for a short stop. And then, finally, todays final destination lies just ahead of you: Lichtenfels, famous for its basket-weaving art far past the limits of Franconia. Here, a short side trip to the baroque pilgrimage basilica Vierzehnheiligen, constructed by the famous architect Balthasar Neumann, is absolutely recommendable!

Let’s begin the day with a short visit of Banz monastery. Along the route to Bamberg, you will see how the Main River is ponded in small lakes several times. You will find your hotel in the center of Bamberg. Benefit from this closeness and cycle into the Old-town, classified world cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

Follow the Regnitz for a short moment until you reach the Main River, taking you now to the beautiful pilgrimage church Maria Limbach. You will soon reach the first vineyards marking the border between the beer-brewing and the wine-growing areas of Franconia. Enjoy a sunny day in Haßfurt where another historical Old-town will impress you. A short side-trip to Theres is recommendable today: After a nice break there, you will continue along the edge of the Main to Schweinfurt. Discover the vestiges of the ancient imperial town and walk on the footprints of the industrial pioneers and discoverers and let the modern Schweinfurt treat you!

Passing numerous vineyards, you will cycle through the small, historic wine-growing town Wipfeld, home of the "Zehntgraf". Take a relaxing break here and marvel at the precious old buildings of the town and its idyllic situation. In the afternoon, you will cross Fahr, town of the Bocksbeutel (the local wine is sold in this unique kind of container), to reach Volkach, famous for its excellent wines!

Leaving Volkach behind, you will follow the Main-channel before catching up to the Main River again in Schwarzach. Via the even and well-paved bike trail, you will reach Würzburg quickly and have enough time to discover the town individually.

Past Veitshöchheim with the prince-bishop’s summer residence and the French rococo garden, you will continue to Karlstadt and its worthwhile town centre. Along the route you will witness how the landscape changes from the characteristic vineyards into wide, green forests providing shade on the bike trail. Even paths take you to Gemünden, where three rivers meet.

The wooded hills seem to cuddle up closer, leaving just enough space for the Main to wind itself through. Past the small town of Rothenfels, whose castle seems to watch over the valley attentively, you will reach Marktheidenfed and Wertheim. The gracious half-timbered houses and the Old-town’s maze of narrow streets will fascinate you!

You will reach Miltenberg around noon. The town presents itself with pride: Let the half-timbered style architecture and the market place amaze you. On even bike trails, you will quickly reach the sandstone-built Johannisburg castle of Aschaffenburg after passing the Spessart and the Odenwald.

After breakfast your nice cycle holiday ends in Aschaffenburg.  We recommend our transfer service back to Bayreuth (every Saturday departure 9 am, duration about 4,5 hrs.)