Tauber River Valley Romantic Road

Day-To-Day 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, 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 5: Rothenburg – Dinkelsbühl,  36 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Dinkelsbühl – Nördlingen, 23 mi. (37 km)
Day 7: Nördlingen – Donauwörth, 39 mi. (63 km)
Day 8: Departure from Donauwörth.

Day 1: Würzburg
The starting point of your journey is the residence town of Würzburg. 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. Definitely 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 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 it's 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 definitely 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 Rothenbug.   

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 Musuem 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. 39 mi. (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.

5 Day Option from Würzburg

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 which 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 historical 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 town houses. 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 which 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 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 town houses. 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 an 20-25 km large crater between the Swabian and Frankonian 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,23/39 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 town houses, 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.

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• Tauber River Valley Romantic Road
• Estrada Romântica do Vale do Rio Tauber