Heidelberg to Cochem
Germany Bike + Boat Tours
Enchanted German Rivers by Bike & Boat: Medieval Castles, Vineyards, & Timeless Tales!
Overview
Embarking from the magnificent and historic university town of Heidelberg, this delightful bike and boat expedition follows well-marked cycle routes as they wind along the rivers. These routes have received a four-star rating from the German Cycling Association.
First, you cycle northwest on the Neckar, a significant tributary of the Rhine River, before joining the mighty Rhine itself. You will traverse some of the most renowned stretches of the river, including the legendary Lorelei, a place steeped in legends and myths.
As you continue, you experience the enchanting Rhine and Neckar valleys, a mesmerizing panorama. Imposing castles, sun-kissed vineyards, and majestic slate mountains covered in vineyards will be your backdrop.
In Koblenz, you begin to follow the Moselle River with a visit to the impeccably preserved medieval castle, Eltz, known for its unmatched beauty. The wine village of Cochem, watched over by its majestic hilltop castle, is your final destination.
Highlights
- Heidelberg and its majestic castle and historic old town
- Picturesque and historic Worms
- Scenic Lorelei
- Boppard
- Koblenz
- Wonderful and scenic riverside cycling
- The rich wine culture of the region
We have a full range of bike & boat tours in Germany.
Itinerary
Day 1: Heidelberg
Day 2: Heidelberg - Worms, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Worms - Mainz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Mainz - Rüdesheim, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Rüdesheim - St. Goar - Koblenz, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Koblenz - Burg Eltz - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: DepartureAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary. Parts in Italic are undertaken on board.
Day 1: Embarkation in Heidelberg
What a way to begin! Heidelberg captivates with its historic charm, natural beauty, academic prominence, and cultural events. The majestic castle (Schloss Heidelberg) sits majestically on a hill overlooking the city. A combination of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, you can take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding area, visit the castle ruins, and wander through the charming gardens. The Altstadt (Old Town) of Heidelberg is another highlight. It features narrow, winding streets with well-preserved medieval buildings, baroque-style houses, and traditional German timber-framed structures. The Hauptstrasse (Main Street) is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe and is filled with shops, cafés, and restaurants.
Day 2: Heidelberg - Worms, 28 mi. (45 km)
The route first follows the scenic Neckar tributary, connecting with the Rhine River in Mannheim, which you then follow to Worms, one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe. It served as the capital of the Kingdom of the Burgundians in the early fifth century and continued as a significant site in European history, particularly in relation to the Holy Roman Empire and the Protestant Reformation. The city's historic sites, such as the Worms Cathedral and the Nibelungen Museum, offer insights into its past.Day 3: Worms - Mainz, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today you follow the course of the Rhine River to Mainz, where the Rhine River and the Main River join. Founded by the Romans in the 1st century as a military fortress, Mainz became an important trading hub in the Holy Roman Empire. During the reign of Charlemagne (768-814), it held a central position in the vast Frankish Empire and played a significant role in the development of Christianity. Mainz is also renowned as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the movable type printing press and produced the first books, including the Gutenberg Bible, in the city. Despite extensive damage during World War II, many of Mainz's historic buildings have been reconstructed.Day 4: Mainz - Rüdesheim, 22 mi. (35 km)
The area from Mainz to Rüdesheim is a region with a long history of viticulture, dating back to Roman times and your route will lead through numerous vineyards. In Rüdesheim, you can explore the famous "Drosselgasse," a charming alley known for its lively music, and sample some of the local wines from this picturesque wine village.The Asbach Center has been producing German brandy since 1892. And even if brandy isn't your preference, they also produce excellent chocolate, so it is worth a visit. The old town of Rüdesheim, with its medieval architecture and well-preserved city fortifications like the Adlerturm (eagle tower), offers a delightful atmosphere, with traditional wine taverns housed in historic half-timbered buildings.
Day 5: Rüdesheim - St. Goar - Koblenz, 25 mi. (40 km)
You start the day with a scenic boat ride along the Lorelei, taking in the breathtaking views of the Rhine River. Here you will soak in stunning views of the Rhine River and its surrounding landscapes. The combination of the majestic river, lush greenery, and the imposing rock formation creates a visually captivating scene, steeped in German mythology and folklore. It is associated with the legend of a beautiful siren or mermaid who sat atop the rock, luring sailors with her enchanting voice and causing them to crash their ships.Arriving at St. Goar, you rejoin the bike path until reaching the ancient city of Boppard. Boppard is known for its stunning vineyards, a bank promenade considered one of the finest on the Middle Rhine, and the oldest preserved Roman fort walls north of the Alps. Your cycling tour will conclude in Koblenz, where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers converge.
Day 6: Koblenz - Burg Eltz - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
The Moselle bike path will lead first to Burg Eltz, a unique castle hidden in the hills where you can explore parts of the castle on foot, marveling at its well-preserved architecture and original furnishings spanning eight centuries. The castle boasts a Treasury and Armoury showcasing world-class artworks in gold and silver. After this remarkable visit, you continue on to Cochem.Day 7: Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
First on the agenda is a morning visit to the stunning Burg of Cochem. Enjoy the magnificent views and immerse yourself in the castle's rich history. Later, you can join the guides on a delightful trip to Beilstein, the most picturesque village along the Moselle River. You can take a ferry to the other side, approximately 9 kilometers (6 miles) away from Cochem, or continue to Senheim and cross the bridge, cycling back into the charming town center of Cochem.Day 8: Departure
Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:30 am.Be sure to browse our full list of bike & boat tours in Europe or view all our featured tours, including hiking & multi-adventure!
Map
Boats & Bikes
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights onboard the Iris in climate-controlled cabins
- 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners served with glass of wine or beer
- Coffee & tea on board
- Daily cabin cleaning
- 8-speed city touring bicycle equipped with helmets, panniers, & water bottle
- Cycling tour guide (a second guide will be added for 18 guests and above)
- Bicycle protection
- Wi-Fi (signal speed and strength may not be what you are accustomed to)
What’s Not Included
- 1 dinner
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- Entrance fees & excursions not mentioned
- Gratuities for staff & guides
- Electric bike available for supplement. See pricing.
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Saturday departure
June 15, 2024
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2024
Twin/double $ 3196 £ 1623 $ 2,928 € 1890 Ft 790128 kr 288148 ₪ 7867 ¥ 320799 Mex$ 42520 NZ$ 3516 kr 23193 zł 8441 S$ 2780 kr 22223 CHF 1812 $ 2,096 Twin for single-use On request Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 186 £ 94 $ 170 € 110 Ft 45986 kr 16771 ₪ 458 ¥ 18671 Mex$ 2475 NZ$ 205 kr 1350 zł 491 S$ 162 kr 1293 CHF 105 $ 122
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This tour is rated easy. You will cycle on dedicated and well-marked bike paths that lead along the rivers. The majority of your route is flat without significant climbs.
Airport Info
Fly into Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).
Local Travel
Frankfurt Airport is well-connected by public transportation. Frankfurt Airport Train Station, located next to Terminal 1, offers connections to popular German cities via Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company of Germany. There are local S-Bahn lines (lines S8 and S9) that take travelers into central Frankfurt in about 10-15 minutes and to other cities in Germany. Train travel from the airport to Heidelberg will depend on the type of train. The Intercity Express or InterCity trains take about 40 min to one hour. The slower regional trains will take about 1 3/4 hours. At the end of your tour, travel back to Frankfurt from Cochem is is approximately 2 1/4 hours with one or two transfers.
Climate
Please check local conditions before your arrival!
Remarks
Regarding WiFI, if you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a personal hot spot.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
For those of you who would like to explore Heidelberg or Cochem in more detail, we advise Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered, including a clear listing of amenities, but more importantly, you can read customer reviews and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Tripsite & BikePlanet Tours.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Photos
Reviews
Gordon L.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
alison a.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
monica Susan B.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
Susan S.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
Anat P.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
Avner G.
4 months agoVerified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Gordon L.
4 months ago
Verified Reviewer
alison a.
4 months ago
Verified Reviewer