Heidelberg to the Nibelungen

Duitsland Bike Tour

The town of Heidelberg is the starting point of this tour. Located nicely on the Neckar River, Heidelberg is well-known for its University, which was the leading one of its kind in 19th century Germany and is also the oldest in the country (having been founded in 1386)! Also of fame is the 16th-17th century Schloß, which is now mostly in ruins. In its cellar is a gargantuan wine cask. The town also has a scenic path overlooking it called the Philosophenweg as well as an impressive Old bridge gate. From Heidelberg, the tour continues along the river to Ladenburg, the eldest German village on the right side of the Rhine. At the foot of the Oden Forest is Bergstraße, which will take you to the Nibelungen, a former hunting region.

Via charming villages and old castles of the Karolinger nobility, the route will bring you into Heppenheim, which is surrounded by picturesque half-timbered houses. The Royal Hall of the Karolinger in Lorsch is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Worms contains an impressive imperial Cathedral (Wormser Dom) that is one of Germany’s finest examples of Romanesque architecture! Worms also plays a prominent role in the ancient German Nibelungenlied (an epic poem that tells the tragic story of a dragon slayer and the royal Burgundians family). A festival is held every year to retell the tale. The Nibelungensaga is said to be factually based on individuals and events of the 5th and 6th centuries. While in Worms, be sure to indulge in some of their well-known Liebfraumilch wine! Following will be citron and fig fruit trees as well as the Wachten Castle and the quaint old town center of Neustadt. Speyer will impress you with its fascinating emperor’s Cathedral from 1030, also a World Heritage Site.

Waar u zult verblijven

Very comfortable 2 star-3 star hotels/B&Bs.

Wat is inclusief

• 5 night accommodations
• Breakfasts
• 21/24-speed hybrid bicycle
• Luggage transfer
• Tour information packet
• Route descriptions & maps
• Service hotline

Wat is exclusief

• Lunches and dinners

Reis data

• Every Monday from April 15 to September 23, 2013.

Moeilijkheidniveau

Easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour with daily distances ranging from 18 to 30 miles. Routes make use of good, hard asphalt roads (bike paths/side streets). Terrain is almost entirely flat with a possible sloping hill or two.

Dag-tot-dag programma

1. Arrival in Heidelberg.
2. Heidelberg - Zwingenberg/Bensheim, 30/39 mi.
3. Zwingenberg/Bensheim - Worms, 19/22 mi.
4. Worms - Bad Dürkheim/Deidesheim/Neustadt, 22-33 mi.
5. Bad Dürkheim/Deidesheim/Neustadt - Speyer, 16-27 mi.
6. Speyer - Heidelberg, 19 mi. Departure.

DAY 1: Arrival in Heidelberg.
Individual arrival in Heidelberg. Visit the castle and the historic student prison or University library with the precious Manesse handwriting. In the evening, we recommend a stroll through the "Untere Straße," where there are numerous bars.

DAY 2: Heidelberg - Zwingenberg/Bensheim, 30/39 mi.
Today, you'll begin the tour riding along the Neckar River to Ladenberg, the oldest German village on the right side of the Rhine. In the open-air museum, you can adore the ruins of the Roman Lopodunum. Then, you'll follow the "Bergstraße" at the foot of the Oden forest to the former hunting region of the Nibelungen. Afterwards, you'll ride past quaint villages and castles of the Karolinger nobility and reach the village center of Heppenheim that is surrounded by picturesque half-timbered houses. Passing Bernsheim, you'll next enter into Zwingenberg, a 700-year-old town and your overnight stop.

DAY 3: Zwingenberg/Bensheim - Worms, 19/22 mi.
Today's first highlights include the Gate of the Karolinger and the Royal Hall in Lorsch. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orginization) has placed the pre-Romantic building on the list of world heritages. At Worms, you'll cross the Rhine. Here, you can marvel at the emperor's Catherdral and the historic churches.

DAY 4: Worms - Bad Dürkheim/Deidesheim/Neustadt, 22-33 mi.
Leaving the Luter Cathedral behing in the Nibelungen city of Worms, you'll come to a famous wine road. The mild climate makes it possible to plant grapes as well as exotic fruits like citrons and figs. The stay for this evening will be either in Bad Dürkheim with saltworks and the giant barrel of Dürkheim or alternatively in Deidsheim or Neustadt.

DAY 5: Bad Dürkheim/Deidesheim/Neustadt - Speyer, 16-27 mi.
Along "Weinstraße," you'll pass Wachenheim, where you can take a stroll to the Wachten Castle. Later today, you'll reach the viticulture village of Deidsheim with a multitudinous of framework houses and a comfortable ambience. Stroll through the old town of Neustadt or be spoiled by the famous cuisine of the "Pfälzer" folks. Next, you'll cycle through the forests along the well-sign posted bike path from Neustadt to Speyer. Speyer's landmark is the emperor's cathedral dating back to the year 1030, which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. Don't miss a visit to the Pfalz Museum.

DAY 6: Speyer - Heidelberg, 20 mi. Departure.
Today, you'll follow the bike path of the "Kurpfalz" route via Schwetzingen, which is famous for its asparagus fields and the adorable garden of the Castle, until you reach Heidelberg. If you have enough time, you should visit a few other interesting sights within Heidelberg.
Individual departure from Heidelberg.

Boek deze vakantie

Vragen? Bel ons! 030 32 00 614 of e-mail ons

• Deutsch: Heidelberg und die Nibelungen