Tauber River Valley Romantic Road
Germany Bike Tours
Bike from Würzburg to Donauwörth
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5–8 days
- Prices from€444 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Germany’s famous Romantische Strasse covers some of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting trails where old-world charm and tradition run deep and well-preserved medieval towns line the route. Würzburg, the center of the Franconian wine region, is the perfect starting point for this tour, also known for its great Baroque architecture.
One of the great highlights of this bicycle tour in Germany will be the picturesque town of Rothenburg, which is said to epitomize the Romanesque style. Discover the old town and don’t forget the great Franconian wines and beers!
At last, the tour ends in Donauwörth, which lies at the mouth of the Wörnitz as it joins the Danube River. It has splendid imperial streets with impressive old buildings and a lovely town square.
Highlights:
Highlights
- Vineyards, forests, and meadows
- Culture, history, and architecture
- Wurzburg, with its residence classified as Unesco World Heritage
- Rothenburg and its 7 ancient gates
- Castles
- Monasteries
- Old world charm
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Würzburg
Day 2: Würzburg - Wertheim, 28 mi. (46 km)
Day 3: Wertheim – Bad Mergentheim, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 4: Bad Mergentheim - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Rothenburg – Dinkelsbühl, 36 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Dinkelsbühl – Nördlingen, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Nördlingen – Donauwörth/Rain, 24/39 mi. (39/63 km)
Day 8: Departure from Donauwörth.Day 1: Würzburg
The starting point of your journey is the residence town of Würzburg, scene With its splendid buildings, including the residence and fortress Marienburg, the town became world-famous. There lived great artists such as Balthasar Neumann, Tilman Riemenschneider, and Tiepolo. Enjoy the charm of this town that lies among vineyards at the Main-riverside, and experience the romantic wine rooms. Your overnight stay is in Würzburg.Day 2: Würzburg - Wertheim, approx. 28 mi. (46 km)
Today you'll leave Würzburg on a woody path through the Steinbach Valley, and cycle through small villages and along the picturesque Aalbach. Near Bettingen, you'll finally reach the Main. Worth seeing is the Gothic fortress-church with the Saint Mary's altar at Dertingen. Now there are only a few kilometers left until Wertheim. This small town between Spessert and Odenwald is located picturesquely at the mouth of the Tauber as it runs into the Main. The beautiful castle ruin made of striking red sandstone lies high above the old city. In the evening, enjoy the romantic atmosphere of this Gothic town. Overnight stay is in Wertheim.Day 3: Wertheim - Bad Mergentheim, approx. 30 mi. (48 km)
Today you'll leave the Main and bike further on through the Tauber valley. You will have both pure nature and art-historical sights of a thousand-year-old history. For instance, Balthasar Neumann became the artist of the bridge-building of the Tauber Valley. Through many bends, the river runs in the direction of Gamburg. A little later, you'll arrive at Tauberbischofsheim with its great castle. This town has an interesting history that you can easily see from its many great buildings and monuments. From now on, you'll be following the Romantic Road Street to Bad Mergentheim, your overnight stay.Day 4: Bad Mergentheim - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, approx. 32 mi. (53 km)
First of all, you should plan a visit to the lively and friendly town of Bad Mergentheim. It has a pretty renaissance market place surrounded by incredible buildings. Nearby, you can visit a castle with a museum. Soon after leaving Bad Mergentheim, you can visit the water fortress of Weikersheim with its Rococo-style park. At Creglingen, you should take the time to visit the well-known Saint Mary's altar of Tilmann Riemenschneider. Finally, there's the highlight of your journey, Rothenburg. Stroll around through this world-famous Gothic town that is surrounded by thick walls with seven doors. During the evening hours, you will enjoy a tour with the "watchman" in Rothenburg.Day 5: Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Dinkelsbühl, approx. 36 mi. (60 km)
The next destination of your journey is Schillingsfürst with a very nice Baroque Castle. Before you get there, there's a small ascent to cover. Cycling through Zumhaus with its Bicycle Museum and Feuchtwangen, you will then reach the day's destination, Dinkelsbühl. This town lies in the idyllic Wörnitz Valley. There's a beautiful market place as well as some quaint traditional restaurants to visit. Something special at Dinkelsbühl is the night watchman.Day 6: Dinkelsbühl - Nördlingen, approx. 23 mi. (37 km)
Today you will ride through a region of special geographical interest, namely the Nördlinger Ries. Fifteen million years ago, there was a meteorite 1200 meters in diameter that impacted the area and left a crater of 20 to 25 kilometers in diameter. The destination of this stage is Nördlingen, which has Germany's only fully-conserved town wall to walk on. You can enjoy the view of Saint George's church from a bell tower of 90 meters high. For those who are geologically interested, there's the Crater Museum. Overnight stay is at Nördlingen.Day 7: Nördlingen - Donauwörth, approx. 24/39 mi. (39/63 km)
On today's route, you'll leave behind the Ries region and bike through the beautiful Wörnitz Valley. You'll pass Harburg, whose old fortress lies high above the valley. Then, you'll reach Donauwörth at the mouth of the Wörnitz as it enters the Danube. An essential part of the town is the splendid imperial street with impressing buildings, one beside the next. Another special attraction of this town is the Käthe-Kruse Puppet Museum. Overnight stay is in Donauwörth.Day 8: Individual departure.
Departure following breakfast.Day 1: Arrival in Würzburg
You start your tour in the old Franconian city Würzburg. The town is famous for its many spectacular old buildings. Renowned artists like Balthasar Neumann, Tilman Riemenschneider, and Tiepolo lived and worked here. Enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the town, beautifully situated among vineyards on the banks of the Main, and get to know the Franconian Joie de Vivre in one of the romantic wine bars. You spend the night in Würzburg.Day 2: Würzburg - Wertheim, 28 mi. (46 km)
You leave Würzburg on forested trails along the valley of the Steinbach river and bike through small villages beside the Aalbach river. The medieval fortified church in Dertingen has a beautiful altar that is worth a visit. You reach the Main River in Bettingen. From here it is only a short way to Wertheim: The small city is located between the hills of Spessart and Odenwald forests, where the Tauber joins the Main. A charming ruined castle built out of red sandstone sits majestically above the small, narrow alley of the historic town center. Enjoy the romantic atmosphere of this medieval town during a relaxed evening. You spend the night in Wertheim.Day 3: Wertheim - Bad Mergentheim, 30 mi. (48 km)
Today you leave the Main and continue into the Tauber Valley. This region combines beautiful countryside with art-historical relicts from over 1000 years of history. Balthasar Neumann is one of the area’s many artists and is known as the “Master Bridge Builder of the Tauber Valley”. The river follows a winding path before arriving in Tauberbischofsheim. The “Kurmainzische Schloss”, a pretty castle with thick walls and impressive towers, is a silent witness to the interesting history of the town. Numerous monuments and old buildings show architectural influences from several different ages. From here you take the Romantic Road to Bad Mergentheim, where you spend the night.Day 4: Bad Mergentheim - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, 32 mi. (53 km)
You spend the morning in Bad Mergentheim, a lively and friendly spa town. The renaissance market square is surrounded by grand old townhouses. Shortly after Bad Mergentheim, you pass the Weikersheim Palace with its lovely baroque park. Then you continue to Creglingen where you can see the famous altar to Mary by Tilman Riemenschneider. Finally, you cycle onwards through the charming Tauber Valley to Rothenburg. Just before midnight the Rothenburg night watchman offers guided tours of the city (included in tour price). He has many exciting stories to tell about life in the Middle Ages! You spend the night in Rothenburg.Day 5: Individual departure
5 Day Option from Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Day 1: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
You start your tour in charming Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The town is an excellent example of German romance and boasts a historical town center with many beautiful medieval buildings that are surrounded by 2 impressive city walls. The famous carved altar by Tilman Riemenschneider in the Church of St. Jakob is a must-see. Enjoy the flair of the city during an evening stroll through the quaint and lit alleys. You spend the night in Rothenburg o. d. Tauber.Day 2: Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Dinkelsbühl, 36 mi. (60 km)
The first destination of your bike tour is visible from afar: The old, baroque castle in Schillingsfürst rises mightily above the town. A short climb takes you up to Schillingfürst, then you continue to Feuchtwangen. Finally, you reach the former free imperial city of Dinkelsbühl in the idyllic Wörnitz Valley. The town square is surrounded by beautiful, colorful old townhouses. Enjoy Frankish cuisine in one of the traditional restaurants. A city tour with the Dinkelsbühl nightwatchman is highly recommended. You spend the night in Dinkelsbühl.Day 3: Dinkelsbühl - Nördlingen, 23 mi. (37 km)
Today you cycle to the Nördlinger Ries, an area of great geological interest. 15 million years ago a meteorite with a cross-section of 1500 meters hit the earth at a speed of 72,000 km/h in this spot and left a 20-25 km large crater between the Swabian and Franconian Alps. Your destination today is the former free imperial city of Nördlingen. Don’t miss Germany’s only entirely preserved city wall! It is even possible to walk around on it. The 90 meters high bell tower of St. George’s Church is known as “Daniel” and offers an amazing view into the Ries (the meteorite crater). Another point of interest is the old tanners’ quarter and of course the Ries Crater Museum for the geologically enthusiastic. You spend the night in Nördlingen.Day 4: Nördlingen - Donauwörth/Rain, 24/39 mi. (39/63 km)
You leave the countryside of the Ries and bike through the beautiful Wörnitz Valley. Soon you pass Harburg with its lovely castle, situated high above the valley. Visit the charming old town center between the river and the castle. You continue to Donauwörth, where the Wörnitz meets the Danube. The Reichsstreet is the main attraction of the city: This lovely street is bordered by numerous amazing old townhouses, like the Tanzhaus and Café Engel. Also, visit the Käthe Kruse Doll Museum! You spend the night in Donauwörth or Rain am Lech.Day 5: Individual departure
Please note that all distances are approximate.*All distances are approximate
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Accommodation
Comfort Category: Comfortable middle class 3-and 4-star hotels
Standard Category: Quality inns and 3-star hotelsInclusions
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodations for 4 or 7 nights in booked Category
- Breakfasts (mostly buffet)
- Luggage transportation
- Route descriptions with maps
- 7-speed bike with back pedal brake or 21/24 speed bicycle with freewheel equipped with pannier
- Guided tour with the night watchman in Rothenberg
- GPS data on request
- Service hotline
- Bicycle protection
What’s Not Included
- Remaining meals
- Bus transfers
- Travel Insurance
- Visitor’s tax
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2020
Arrival possible daily from April 20 to October 5, 2020
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
8 Day tour - Würzburg to Donauwörth
Comfort Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 1157 £ 643 $ 1,104 € 694 $ 1254 kr 7431 $ 830
Single room: $ 1491 £ 828 $ 1,423 € 894 $ 1615 kr 9573 $ 1,069
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: $ 1324 £ 736 $ 1,263 € 794 $ 1434 kr 8502 $ 950
Single room: $ 1658 £ 921 $ 1,582 € 994 $ 1796 kr 10643 $ 1,189
July 15 to August 15: $ 1374 £ 763 $ 1,311 € 824 $ 1489 kr 8823 $ 985
Single room: $ 1708 £ 949 $ 1,629 € 1024 $ 1850 kr 10965 $ 1,225
Half board: $ 267 £ 148 $ 255 € 160 $ 289 kr 1713 $ 191
Standard Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 1074 £ 597 $ 1,025 € 644 $ 1163 kr 6896 $ 770
Single room: $ 1407 £ 782 $ 1,343 € 844 $ 1525 kr 9037 $ 1,009
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: $ 1207 £ 671 $ 1,152 € 724 $ 1308 kr 7752 $ 866
Single room: $ 1541 £ 856 $ 1,470 € 924 $ 1669 kr 9894 $ 1,105
July 15 to August 15: $ 1241 £ 689 $ 1,184 € 744 $ 1344 kr 7967 $ 890
Single room: $ 1574 £ 875 $ 1,502 € 944 $ 1706 kr 10108 $ 1,129
Half board: $ 267 £ 148 $ 255 € 160 $ 289 kr 1713 $ 191
5 Day tour - Würzburg to Rothenburg
Comfort Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 740 £ 411 $ 707 € 444 $ 802 kr 4754 $ 531
Single room: $ 941 £ 523 $ 897 € 564 $ 1019 kr 6039 $ 674
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: $ 824 £ 458 $ 786 € 494 $ 892 kr 5290 $ 591
Single room: $ 1024 £ 569 $ 977 € 614 $ 1109 kr 6575 $ 734
July 15 to August 15: $ 857 £ 476 $ 818 € 514 $ 929 kr 5504 $ 615
Single room: $ 1057 £ 587 $ 1,009 € 634 $ 1145 kr 6789 $ 758
Half board: $ 175 £ 97 $ 167 € 105 $ 190 kr 1124 $ 126
Standard Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 657 £ 365 $ 627 € 394 $ 712 kr 4219 $ 471
Single room: $ 857 £ 476 $ 818 € 514 $ 929 kr 5504 $ 615
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: $ 740 £ 411 $ 707 € 444 $ 802 kr 4754 $ 531
Single room: $ 941 £ 523 $ 897 € 564 $ 1019 kr 6039 $ 674
July 15 to August 15: $ 774 £ 430 $ 738 € 464 $ 838 kr 4968 $ 555
Single room: $ 974 £ 541 $ 929 € 584 $ 1055 kr 6253 $ 698
Half board: $ 158 £ 88 $ 151 € 95 $ 172 kr 1017 $ 114
5 Day tour - Rothenburg to Donauwörth/Rain
Comfort Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 774 £ 430 $ 738 € 464 $ 838 kr 4968 $ 555
Single room: $ 974 £ 541 $ 929 € 584 $ 1055 kr 6253 $ 698
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: $ 857 £ 476 $ 818 € 514 $ 929 kr 5504 $ 615
Single room: $ 1057 £ 587 $ 1,009 € 634 $ 1145 kr 6789 $ 758
July 15 to August 15: $ 890 £ 495 $ 850 € 534 $ 965 kr 5718 $ 639
Single room: $ 1091 £ 606 $ 1,041 € 654 $ 1182 kr 7003 $ 782
Half board: $ 175 £ 97 $ 167 € 105 $ 190 kr 1124 $ 126
Standard Category
April 20 to April 30: $ 690 £ 384 $ 659 € 414 $ 748 kr 4433 $ 495
Single room: $ 890 £ 495 $ 850 € 534 $ 965 kr 5718 $ 639
May 1 to July 14 | August 16 to October 5: 464
Single room: $ 974 £ 541 $ 929 € 584 $ 1055 kr 6253 $ 698
July 15 to August 15: $ 807 £ 448 $ 770 € 484 $ 874 kr 5183 $ 579
Single room: $ 1007 £ 560 $ 961 € 604 $ 1091 kr 6467 $ 722
Half board: $ 158 £ 88 $ 151 € 95 $ 172 kr 1017 $ 114
Extra Options
Electric bicycle rental 8 day tour: $ 175 £ 97 $ 167 € 105 $ 190 kr 1124 $ 126
Electric bicycle rental 5 day tour: $ 125 £ 69 $ 119 € 75 $ 136 kr 803 $ 90
Bus transfers (Must be reserved in advance. Price is per person including own bicycle):
Rothenberg to Würzburg (daily departure at approx. 10:30 AM, min. 2 participants): $ 108 £ 60 $ 103 € 65 $ 117 kr 696 $ 78
Donauwörth/Rain to Würzburg (daily departure at approx. 9 AM, min. 4 participants): $ 115 £ 64 $ 110 € 69 $ 125 kr 739 $ 83
Donauwörth/Rain to Rothenburg (daily departure at approx. 9 AM, min. 4 participants): $ 98 £ 55 $ 94 € 59 $ 107 kr 632 $ 71
Extra nights (price is per person/night):
Comfort
Würzburg: $ 123 £ 69 $ 118 € 74 $ 134 kr 792 $ 88 Single room: $ 175 £ 97 $ 167 € 105 $ 190 kr 1124 $ 126Donauwörth/Rain: $ 125 £ 69 $ 119 € 75 $ 136 kr 803 $ 90 Single supplement: $ 182 £ 101 $ 173 € 109 $ 197 kr 1167 $ 130
Rothenburg: $ 103 £ 57 $ 99 € 62 $ 112 kr 664 $ 74 Single supplement: $ 157 £ 87 $ 150 € 94 $ 170 kr 1007 $ 112
Standard
Würzburg: $ 107 £ 59 $ 102 € 64 $ 116 kr 685 $ 77 Single room: $ 155 £ 86 $ 148 € 93 $ 168 kr 996 $ 111
Donauwörth/Rain: $ 108 £ 60 $ 103 € 65 $ 117 kr 696 $ 78 Single room: $ 150 £ 83 $ 143 € 90 $ 163 kr 964 $ 108
Rothenburg: $ 92 £ 51 $ 88 € 55 $ 99 kr 589 $ 66 Single supplement: $ 140 £ 78 $ 134 € 84 $ 152 kr 899 $ 100
Komoot cycling navigation: $ 50 £ 28 $ 48 € 30 $ 54 kr 321 $ 36
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
Easy to moderate self-guided hotel tour. Cycling distances range from 19 to 30 miles, with an average of 28 miles a day over 6 days. Routes are well marked and consist of flat terrain with hills scattered throughout. You cycle on small, quiet and paved country roads as well as on paved and packed cycle paths. Ascents and partly hilly terrain are to be expected on the well-signed route between Würzburg and the Tauber valley, through the Wörnitz valley and the Nördlinger Ries.
Airport Info
Fly to Frankfurt
Local Travel
Train from Frankfurt airport to Würzburg, 1-2 hr.
Climate
Average high/low temperature in °F for Würzburg is approx. 56/39 in Apr; 65/47 May; 70/53 June; 74/56 July; 75/56 August & 67/50 September. A good website to research average high/low temperatures and other important weather-related facts is weatherbase.com
Remarks
Tour is also available as 5 days/4 nights from Würzburg to Rothenburg or from Rothenburg to Donauwörth. Please call or email for further details.
Important to know
Komoot Navigation:
Komoot is the perfect supplement to the travel documents of your bicycle tour. Whether on 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 neighbouring place or a little bit apart, this is stated then either on the hotel list or in the travel documents as a supplement.
Documents:
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc.
*Important note: Beginning July 1, 2021, additional documentation from the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) 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
Extra nights are possible!
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?
Photos
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. CC:Berthold Werner]()
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![Dinkelsbühl on the Romantic Road in Franconia, Bavaria, Germany. Flickr:Heinz Bunse]()
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber in the Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. Flickr:Abhijeetrane]()
![Great beers in Germany! Flickr:Maria Eklind]()
![Würzburg on the Main River in northern Bavaria, Germany. Flickr:Jinpal Song]()
![Falkenhaus in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany. CC:Krzysztofgolik]()
![Schweinshaxe (pig's knuckle) - German cuisine. Flickr:Wei-Tewong]()
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Flickr:chucacimas]()
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber in Bavaria, Germany. Flickr:Peter Collins]()
![Schnitzel mit Spiegelei, traditional German cuisine. Flickr:Thomas Kohler]()
![Furstbischhofliche Residenz in Würzburg on the Main River, northern Bavaria, Germany. CC:Heribert Pohl]()
![Traditions in Würzburg, northern Bavaria, Germany. Flickr:Abhijeetrane]()
![Along the Main River in Wertheim, Germany. Flickr:Christian Schmitt]()
![Great architecture all along the Romantic Road. Here Dinkelsbühl, Germany. CC:Berthold Werner]()
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. CC:Norbert Heidenbluth]()
![Dinkelsbühl on the Romantic Road bike tour in Germany. CC:Mylius]()
![Marktplatz in Bad Mergentheim, Germany. CC:HubiB]()
![Sausages and beer, German staples. Flickr:Alejandro de la Cruz]()
![Along the Romantic Road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. Flickr:Alexander Cahlenstein]()
![Festung Marienberg in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany. CC:Avda]()
![Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Franconia region of Bavaria, Germany. CC:Moyan Brenn]()
![Awesome German beers to try on the Romantic Road Bike Tour. Flickr:Leon Brocard]()
![Dinkelsbühl, Romantic Road, Germany. Flickr:Christine Olson]()
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