Cycling trip along the Upper Main

Your cycling trip along the Upper Main begins in the world-famous festival city of Bayreuth. The townscape of Upper Franconia’s largest city is characterised by a multitude of significant buildings, museums, churches and parks. The Festspielhaus on the Grüner Hügel is particularly well known. Every year, the Bayreuth Festival takes place here, dedicated to the last ten operas by the composer Richard Wagner.

The first stage takes you from Bayreuth to the brewing town of Kulmbach. Take a leisurely stroll through the winding alleys of the old town and visit Plassenburg Castle, the town’s landmark. Those interested can visit the Kulmbach Mönchshof, which houses three museums well worth seeing: the Bavarian Brewing Museum, the Bavarian Bakery Museum and the German Spice Museum.

After a few kilometers, the two headwaters of the Red and White Main flow together and henceforth form the Main. Through the ever-widening valley, the young Main now makes its way past the towns of Burgkunstadt and Lichtenfels. You would like to get to know one of the most important buildings of the German Baroque? Then you should pay a visit to the pilgrimage church Vierzehnheiligen. The church is located on a hill just before your stage destination Bad Staffelstein. The way there is exhausting, in the Obermain Therme you can recover perfectly from the efforts of the day.

Today you can really enjoy cycling along the Upper Main. Passing colorful meadows with old fruit trees, you will leisurely cycle through the beautiful landscapes of the extensive Main Valley. You will pass small picturesque villages, which all have their own charm. On the way, take the opportunity to take a break and cool off, because the bike path takes you through a dreamlike lake landscape. Your stage destination Bamberg has a lot to offer. Stroll through the winding streets of the old town, visit the imperial cathedral and strengthen yourself in a rustic brewery pub with Franconian specialties and a freshly brewed beer.

You leave Bamberg on the banks of the Regnitz River, which soon flows into the Main River. Today you will cross the extensive Hassberge Nature Park, which is not only characterized by almost untouched landscapes, colorful mixed forests and historic vineyards. Due to its numerous castles, palaces and ruins, this is also known as Deutscher Burgenwinkel. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo or two. Leisurely you will reach your stage destination Schweinfurt. Particularly worth seeing is the town hall, which was completed in 1572. This is considered one of the most important secular Renaissance buildings in southern Germany.

You leave Schweinfurt behind and cycle leisurely through beautiful vineyards, romantically situated villages and the famous Volkach Main Loop. Shortly before Volkach is the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten, which houses the famous floating Riemenschneider Madonna. Take an extensive lunch break in Volkach and explore the picturesque old town. You will continue to follow the Mainschleife until you reach Sommerach. Now it is not far to your destination of the day, Kitzingen. Landmarks of the town are the Falterturm with its leaning tower helmet and the Alte Mainbrücke.

Also today you will follow the Main cycle path in a relaxed manner. The half-timbered town of Ochsenfurt is perfect for taking a lunch break. The historic old town has a largely preserved medieval fortification with numerous towers and city gates. Get back on your bike to cover the last few kilometers. With the old Residenzstadt Würzburg, located in the middle of the May Triangle, you have reached the destination of your bike tour. Climb the Marienberg Fortress, which towers high above the city. The view of the city, the Main River and the region will be the crowning glory of your vacation.

We hope you had fun cycling trip along the Upper Main. Your trip ends after breakfast. If you do not want to start your journey home yet, we will be happy to extend your stay with an extra night.