Heidelberg to the Nibelungen
Germany Bike Tours
Bike Heidelberg and many old German towns and villages
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7 days
- Prices from€713 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
The town of Heidelberg is the starting point of this tour. Located 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)! You follow the Bergstraße and the famous Pfälzer Weinstraße on well-developed cycle paths and quiet country roads.
Highlights
- 16th-17th century Schloß
- Scenic path, the Philosophenweg
- Old bridge gate
- Ladenburg, the oldest German village on the right side of the Rhine
- Oden Forest
- Bergstraße
- Royal Hall of the Karolinger
- Worms
- Wachten Castle
- Quaint center of Neustadt
- Speyer
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Heidelberg
Day 2: Heidelberg - Benshein/Zwingenberg, 28 to 31 mi. (45 to 50 km)
Day 3: Zwingenberg/Bensheim - Worms,19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Day 4: Worms - Deidesheim, 25 to 37 mi. (40 to 60 km)
Day 5: Deidesheim - Speyer, 19 to 31 mi. (30 to 50 km)
Day 6: Speyer - Heidelberg, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 7: DepartureAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday.
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 - Bensheim/Zwingenberg, 28 to 31 mi. (45t o 50 km)
Today, you'll begin the bike 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. Afterward, 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 Bensheim, you'll next enter into Zwingenberg, a 700-year-old town, and your overnight stop.Day 3: Bensheim/Zwingenberg - Worms, 19 to 22 mi. (30 to 35 km)
Today's first highlights include the Gate of the Karolinger and the Royal Hall in Lorsch. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) 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 - Deidesheim, 25 to 37 mi. (40 to 60 km)
Leaving the Luther Cathedral 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 in Deidsheim or Neustadt.Day 5: Deidesheim - Speyer, 19 to 31 mi. (30 to 50 km)
Along "Weinstraße," you will travel to Wachenheim, where you can take a side-trip on foot to Wachtenburg. Afterward, the wine region Deidesheim awaits you, with a lot of framework and homeliness. 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-signposted 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, 19 mi. (30 km)
Today, you'll follow the bike path of the "Kurpfalz" route via Schwetzingen, which is famous for its asparagus fields and its beautiful castle gardens. Today you'll end back in Heidelberg, leaving you plenty of time to explore what you may have missed at the beginning of the tour!Day 7: Departure from Heidelberg
Today marks the end of your tour.Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Hotels & Bikes
Category A: Comfortable middle class 3 and 4-star hotels
Category B: Quality inns and 3-star hotelsBicycles
Touring bike
Unisex frames suitable for ladies or men
- Upright but relaxed riding position
- 24-speed (freewheel) touring bike
- Aluminum frame
- Upright handlebar
- Comfortable saddle (different brands, partly gel saddles)
- Shimano gear change
- Flat pedal
- Mechanical or hydraulic brakes (depends on the bike)
- Rear rack
- Mudguard
- 28-inch wheels
Ebike
Unisex frames
- Upright handlebar
- 7-speed (stepless NuVinci-gear shift)
- Centrally located Bosch motor (400 Wh, engine torque 50 Nm)
- Bosch battery Power Pack, 36 V (reach approx. 80-100 km in Eco modus and on flat terrain, only in Turbo modus approx. 45 – 50 km)
- Comfortable saddle (different brands, partly gel saddles)
- Flat pedals
- Mechanical or hydraulic brakes (depends on the bike)
- Rear rack
- Mudguard
- 28-inch wheels
Accessories
- Odometer
- 1 waterproof Ortlieb pannier
- 1 handlebar bag (per room)
- Klick fix on all bikes
- Repair kit
- Lock for 2 bikes together (normal bikes)
- Lock directly on all E-bikes
Please note:
*Helmets are not included. You will need to bring your own.
*It is not possible to use one’s own pedals. The inch system of the American pedals does not match our metric system. The screw thread on the bike becomes damaged during modification, and road safety no longer exists. It is therefore forbidden to make modifications on one’s own. This will result in damage costs amounting to approx. €25,- per pedal, which, in the case of unauthorized modifications, must be invoiced.Inclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
- Breakfasts buffet
- Luggage transfer
- 21/24-speed hybrid bicycle with saddlebag (per bike) and handlebar bag (per room)
- Tour information packet
- Route descriptions & maps
- Entrance to castle Heidelberg & cableway ticket
- GPS data on request
- Service hotline
- Bicycle protection
What’s Not Included
- Lunches and dinners
- Possible visitor’s tax (payable on-site)
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Every Sunday from April 20 to October 5, 2023
(Possible daily for groups of 4 people or more on request)
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
2023
Category A
Twin/double $ 1365 £ 729 $ 1,224 € 833 ₪ 3347 ¥ 127239 NZ$ 1503 NOK 9989 kr 9899 $ 916 Single $ 1873 £ 1001 $ 1,680 € 1143 ₪ 4593 ¥ 174591 NZ$ 2063 NOK 13706 kr 13583 $ 1,257 Season supplement (May 1 to May 25) $ 392 £ 209 $ 351 € 239 ₪ 960 ¥ 36507 NZ$ 431 NOK 2866 kr 2840 $ 263 Season supplement (May 26 to May 27) $ 457 £ 244 $ 410 € 279 ₪ 1121 ¥ 42617 NZ$ 504 NOK 3346 kr 3315 $ 307 Season supplement (June 28 to September 30) $ 474 £ 253 $ 425 € 289 ₪ 1161 ¥ 44144 NZ$ 522 NOK 3465 kr 3434 $ 318 Category B
Twin/double $ 1168 £ 624 $ 1,048 € 713 ₪ 2865 ¥ 108909 NZ$ 1287 NOK 8550 kr 8473 $ 784 Single $ 1611 £ 861 $ 1,445 € 983 ₪ 3950 ¥ 150151 NZ$ 1774 NOK 11787 kr 11681 $ 1,081 Season supplement (May 1 to May 25) $ 326 £ 174 $ 292 € 199 ₪ 800 ¥ 30397 NZ$ 359 NOK 2386 kr 2365 $ 219 Season supplement (May 26 to May 27) $ 392 £ 209 $ 351 € 239 ₪ 960 ¥ 36507 NZ$ 431 NOK 2866 kr 2840 $ 263 Season supplement (May 28 to September 30) $ 408 £ 218 $ 366 € 249 ₪ 1001 ¥ 38034 NZ$ 449 NOK 2986 kr 2959 $ 274 Extra Options
Electric bike $ 197 £ 105 $ 176 € 120 ₪ 482 ¥ 18330 NZ$ 217 NOK 1439 kr 1426 $ 132 Navigation package $ 49 £ 26 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 121 ¥ 4582 NZ$ 54 NOK 360 kr 357 $ 33 Extra nights
Per person per night Cat. A Cat. B Double/twin
$ 149 £ 80 $ 134 € 91 ₪ 366 ¥ 13900 NZ$ 164 NOK 1091 kr 1081 $ 100
$ 120 £ 64 $ 107 € 73 ₪ 293 ¥ 11151 NZ$ 132 NOK 875 kr 867 $ 80
Single room
$ 228 £ 122 $ 204 € 139 ₪ 559 ¥ 21232 NZ$ 251 NOK 1667 kr 1652 $ 153
$ 179 £ 95 $ 160 € 109 ₪ 438 ¥ 16650 NZ$ 197 NOK 1307 kr 1295 $ 120
Triple and quad rooms available. Ask us for pricing.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This tour is classified as an easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour with daily distances ranging from 19 to 37 miles. Routes make use of good, hard asphalt roads (bike paths/side streets) and forest roads. The terrain is almost entirely flat with a possible sloping hill or two.
Airport Info
Fly into Frankfurt International Airport (FRA).
Local Travel
Take a train from Frankfurt Airport to Heidelberg. This will take approximately 1-1½ hrs depending on connections.
Climate
Heidelberg (Baden-Württemberg) in Germany is characterized by a pleasant climate - ideal for cycling! Spring is cool with temperatures warming up to the mid to high-’20s in June, July, and August. Rainfall can be expected throughout the season. It is recommended to check local weather conditions prior to departure. Please take a look at the estimated rainfall and monthly temperatures for Heidelberg below.
Recommended
Extra nights in Heidelberg before/after the tour.
Important to know
Komoot Navigation
Komoot is the perfect supplement to the travel documents of your bicycle tour. Whether on a mobile phone, tablet, or computer, this app will greatly improve your self-guided tour. The precast route always runs on the main cycle track, if your hotel should be in the neighboring place or a little bit apart, this is stated then either on the hotel list or in the travel documents as a supplement.
Luggage
Luggage transportation is available between 9 am and 5h30 pm daily. There is no limit to the number of luggage pieces.
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.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Heidelberg available. Please see priccing.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Velotours.
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?
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