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Two cyclists on a paved path with Bad Wimpfen's historic skyline in the background, featuring church towers and medieval buildings above green trees.

The Neckar Cycle Path

Leisurely from Tübingen to Heidelberg

Two cyclists on a paved path with Bad Wimpfen's historic skyline in the background, featuring church towers and medieval buildings above green trees.

The most popular route on the Neckar Valley cycle path connects the traditional university towns of Tübingen and Heidelberg. On your way, you accompany the Neckar from the northwest of the Swabian Alb to the foot of the Odenwald. Esslingen, Marbach, Bad Wimpfen and Neckarsteinach are some of the most beautiful towns in Baden-Württemberg along the way. So look forward to your tour on the Neckar Valley cycle path, as the route offers a varied mix of cultural experiences and impressive river scenery - ideal for pleasure cyclists. A special tip: try the regional wines, because good Württemberg wine usually stays where it grows - with the people in the Ländle.

from
€799

Tübingen – Esslingen – Heidelberg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • The classic tour along the Neckar: Relaxing stages, plenty of time for breaks
  • Vineyards, poets and historic towns

Facts & Map

  • Booking code
    DE-NERTH-07X
  • Accommodation level 
    national 3* level
  • Duration
    7 days / 6 nights
  • Arrvial day
    Daily
  • Travel documents Languages
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Parking information
    Parking garage Altstadt Mitte, parking garage Altstadt - König and parking garage Metropol, costs approx. 42 € per week. Hotel parking (available in individual hotels, subject to a charge, details in the travel documents). No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Tübingen
    Optional return journey by minibus every Saturday between 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., must be specified when booking. By train, connection every two hours, duration approx. 2 hours, 1 – 2 changes.
Map showing Neckar cycling route from Tübingen through Esslingen, Ludwigsburg, Heilbronn, Neckarsulm, Mosbach, Heidelberg to Mannheim with rivers.

Map - The Neckar Cycle Path

Itinerary

Day 1

Individual arrival in Tübingen

Your cycle tour on the Neckar Valley cycle path begins in Tübingen. The city is not only located in the geographical center of Baden-Württemberg, but is also a traditional university town. Hohentübingen Palace offers a beautiful view of the excellently preserved old town. Stroll through narrow alleyways past magnificent half-timbered houses. In Tübingen, the Neckar has already grown into a stately river.

Day 2

Tübingen – Esslingen

approx. 55 km

You leave Tübingen along the banks of the river on the Neckar Valley cycle path. The route first takes you past idyllic bathing lakes before you reach the town of Nürtingen - known as the school town of the poet Friedrich Hölderlin. Art lovers are recommended to take a detour to the Hundertwasser Tower in Plochingen. Your first destination for the day, Esslingen, will delight you with its impressively preserved old town: medieval half-timbered houses and winding alleyways give the town a very special historical ambience.

Day 3

Esslingen – Ludwigsburg

approx. 35 km

Leaving Esslingen behind you, you approach the state capital of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, kilometer by kilometer. It is known for its automotive history, cultural diversity and picturesque location between vineyards and the Neckar valley. The route continues to Ludwigsburg. The garden of the magnificent palace, known as the "Blooming Baroque", is an extensive park with artistically designed flowerbeds, water features and themed gardens. The fairytale garden is particularly popular, where over 40 lovingly staged stations bring classic fairytales to life.

Day 4

Ludwigburg – Heilbronn / Neckarsulm

approx. 55 / 60 km

Through picturesque vineyards along the winding river to Lauffen. There you can enjoy a sip of the delicious Katzenbeißer - a vineyard around the town. The tour continues to Heilbronn, a city with a long wine tradition. The city center combines historic buildings such as the Kilianskirche church with urban flair, while the surrounding vineyards invite you to take a stroll. Neckarsulm is just a stone's throw away. You can stay overnight in Heilbronn or Neckarsulm.

Day 5

Heilbronn – Mosbach / Eberbach

approx. 40 – 60 km

Today's stage on the Neckar Valley cycle path takes you through a varied river and cultural landscape. A highlight along the way is the medieval fortress town of Bad Wimpfen, whose history dates back to Roman times and which is now known for its modern brine baths. From here, the so-called castle district of the Neckar Valley begins: you pass Guttenberg Castle with its bird of prey observatory and Hornberg Castle, once the residence of Götz von Berlichingen. Cycle along numerous other castles and picturesque views to the half-timbered town of Mosbach and finally to the Staufer town of Eberbach.

Day 6

Eberbach – Heidelberg

approx. 60 / 35 km

The Neckar now meanders through the Odenwald and you continue to follow it, accompanied by impressive views of romantic riverside landscapes, medieval castles and charming towns. Along the way, it is worth making a detour to Hirschhorn Castle and the four-castle town of Neckarsteinach. The crowning glory of this stage on the Neckar Valley cycle route is the picturesque backdrop of your destination for the day: Heidelberg. The university town is best known for its baroque old town and imposing castle ruins. You can easily reach the latter by cable car

Day 7

Individual departure

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye - your cycle tour on the Neckar Valley cycle path is coming to an end. If you wish, we can extend your stay with an additional overnight stay in Heidelberg.

Half-timbered building on stone island in canal in Esslingen old town. Church towers and traditional houses visible under blue sky with clouds.

Esslingen Old Town

Aerial view of Neckar River forming a horseshoe bend around agricultural fields near Mundelsheim, with vineyards in foreground and towns on both sides.

The Neckar bend near Mundelsheim

Old stone bridge crossing the Neckar River in Heidelberg with castle ruins on hillside, church tower, and historic buildings along the riverbank.

Neckarwiese in Heidelberg

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

  • 6 nights with breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Heidelberg, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Not included is the tourist tax, if due.

Children’s discount on the basic tour price
  •  0 - 5 years = 100%
  •  6 - 11 years = 50%
  • 12 - 14 years = 25%
  • 15 - 17 years = 10%


Applies when sharing a room with two full-paying guests.

  • Start / Destination
    Tübingen / Heidelberg
  • Length
    approx. 245 km
    Daily routes between 35 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile between 130 and 340 hm, Ø 220 hm
  • Tour operated by
    Radweg-Reisen
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs.

Our rental bikes

The success of your cycling holiday depends largely on the quality of your bike! You’ll usually cover hundreds of kilometres during a cycling holiday. That’s why we place the utmost importance on our hire bike fleet, which consists of well over 1,000 bikes. We can cater to almost any hire bike request:

Types of rental bikes

  • 8-gear unisex bike, hub gears with coaster brake (men's bike from 1.75 m)
  • 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.75 m)
  • 30-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.80 m)
  • E-bike / pedelec with freewheel (minimum age for e-bike rental: 16 years)
  • Children's / teenager’s bike (20 – 26 inch), child trailer, Weehoo ride-on trailer, child seat


Fittings

Pannier, handlebar bag, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit

Red step-through touring bike with 27-speed gearing, front basket, blue pannier bag with Radweg Reisen logo, and kickstand on white background.
Unisex Touring Bike with Freewheel
10 or 27-speed derailleur gears
  • Comfortable unisex touring bike with a low-step frame 
  • Suitable for people between 1.45 m and 1.90 m tall
42 cm |
45 cm |
50 cm |
55 cm |
60 cm
Red trapeze frame bicycle with 30-speed gearing, disc brakes, fenders, and blue Radweg-Reisen pannier bag on rear rack against white background.
Premium Touring Bike with Freewheel
30-speed derailleur gears
  • Premium Touring Bike for outstanding comfort and a sporty riding experienxe 
  • Suitable for people between 1.60 m and 1.90 m tall
45 cm |
50 cm
Red step-through e-bike with black saddle, handlebar bag, and blue Radweg Reisen pannier bag on rear rack, shown against white background.
Unisex Electric Bike with Freewheel
8-speed electric bike with hub gears
  • Comfortable Electric Bike with a low step-through design
  • suitable for persons with a height between 1.45m and 1.90m 

 

Minimum age for e-bike hire: 16 years

42 cm |
45 cm |
50 cm |
55 cm |
60 cm
Blue children's bicycle with black seat, handlebars, and tires, featuring fenders, gears, and a kickstand, shown in side profile on white background.
Children's bike
7–9-speed derailleur gears with freewheel
  • Shimano derailleur with a single ‘easy-to-use’ twist shifter

 

 

20 cm |
24 cm |
26 cm
White youth bicycle with blue accents, rear rack, kickstand, and suspension fork on white background.
Youth bike
7–9-speed derailleur gears with freewheel
  • Shimano derailleur with an ‘easy-to-use’ gear system

 

 

20 cm |
24 cm |
26 cm
Red touring bicycle with rear rack attached to a blue and black Thule child trailer with two wheels, shown against white background.
Children´s trailer
Bike trailer
  • Transportation of 1 child or max. 2 Children possiblecompatible with all adult bike models of Radweg-Reisen rental fleet
  • load capacity up to approx. 45 kg
  • Maximum height of Child up to 111cm
Red touring bicycle with blue panniers and handlebar bag, attached to a red WeeHoo single-wheel child trailer with seat and safety flag.
Weehoo
Bicycle Trailer
  • Recommended for one kid from 2 -7 years (max. 9)
  • Electric bicycles (pedelecs up to 25 km/h) are ideally suited for Weehoo bicycle trailers.
  • Maximum total load (luggage and passenger) 36 kg

 

Not compatible with all frame-sizes according to the model of our Radweg-Reisen bicycle rental fleet! (before booking, please check the possibilities, or alternative solutions with the tour-operator

 

 

Red city bicycle with rear-mounted gray and red child seat, black saddle, luggage rack, and kickstand on white background.
Child seat
  • Child seat: capacity up to approx. 22 kg
Red logo with white silhouette of cyclist with backpack riding a bicycle above the text 'RADWEG REISEN' in white capital letters.
Radweg-Reisen Team
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