2026
Der Burgenstraßen-Radweg

Cycle Tour from Heidelberg to Rothenburg

On the way along the Castle Road Cycle Route

Heidelberg – Schwäbisch Hall Rothenburg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Heidelberg Castle, Götz von Berlichingen Castle in Jagsthausen, Night Watchman tour in Rothenburg
  • Daily routes ●●○○○, altutide profile ●●●●○
  • Caste Road Part 1

days
8

Ø km per day
45

The three rivers Neckar, Kocher and Jagst accompany you on this cycle tour from Heidelberg to Rothenburg on the Castle Road Cycle Route. You will travel through the history of Baden-Württemberg to romantic Franconia. Historic towns such as Heidelberg, Bad Wimpfen, Jagsthausen, Schwäbisch Hall and Rothenburg will enchant you. Over partly steep hills and through deep, green valleys you cycle to medieval castles and stately palaces. Heidelberg Castle, the Imperial Palace in Bad Wimpfen, Götz von Berlichingen‘s castle in Jagsthausen and Kirchberg Castle take you on a journey into the past. Immerse yourself in the world of knights and castle lords and marvel at the well-preserved buildings. This trip is a perfect mix of culture, history and nature. A grand finale to the trip is the night watchman tour in Rothenburg.

Would you like to book the Cycle Tour from Heidelberg to Rothenburg in the 2025 season?

No problem, we still have free dates this year.

 

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  • Booking code
    NE-HR7
  • Accommodation level
    national 3*-level
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Arrival days
    Saturdays and Sundays
  • Travel documents Languages
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Print version PDF
    incl. hotel examples
  • Parking information
    Public parking spaces: P1 Poststraße, approx. 15€ / day, P4 Darmstädter Hof, approx. 16€ / day
    Hotel parking (available in individual hotels, subject to charge, details in the travel documents)
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Heidelberg
    On your own by train, connections every hour, takes approx. 4 hours, change trains 3 – 4 times.
     
The Castle Road Cycle Route

Day 1: Individual arrival in Heidelberg

Your journey along the Castle Road Cycle Route begins in Heidelberg. Heidelberg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The harmonious flair of the Neckar, Old Town and castle amidst the vineyards has already fascinated Romantic painters and poets and will enchant you too. Heidelberg Castle with its beautiful castle gardens is well worth a visit. You can reach the castle on foot or by cable car. Look out over the city, the red roofs and the Neckar. Many church spires rise above the rooftops and characterize the Heidelberg cityscape.

Neckar, Heidelberg, Castle

View of Heidelberg Castle

Day 2: Heidelberg – Eberbach, approx. 35 km

Accompanied by the Neckar, you cycle along the Castle Road from Heidelberg to Eberbach. Eberbach lies in the Neckar valley at the foot of an extinct volcano. The ruins of Eberbach Castle lie above the town on a hill in the Odenwald. The size of the complex can still be guessed from the imposing remains of the walls. Discover four well-preserved towers in the historic old town, which served as medieval town fortifications. The market square is home to various historic buildings such as the Old Town Hall and the Hotel zum Karpfen. You can see people and scenes from the town's history on the façade of the hotel.

Old town hall Eberbach

The old town hall in Eberbach

Day 3: Eberbach – Bad Wimpfen / Bad Friedrichshall, approx. 45 / 50 km

Today you follow the Castle Road Cycle Route from Eberbach further along the Neckar. The route takes you through charming river landscapes and picturesque villages to Bad Wimpfen. Even from a distance, you can see the impressive silhouette of the historic old town with its striking towers. Just a few kilometers further on is Bad Friedrichshall, where the Kocher and Jagst rivers flow into the Neckar. With their location and history, both towns offer an atmospheric end to the stage. Depending on availability, you can spend the night in Bad Wimpfen or in the nearby salt town of Bad Friedrichshall. If you wish, you can visit the impressive salt mine here at a depth of 180 meters – a special experience!

Cyclist, Bad Wimpfen

Cyclist near Bad Wimpfen

Day 4: Bad Friedrichshall – Jagsthausen / Sindringen, approx. 40 / 50 km

After breakfast, you cycle along the Kocher-Jagst cycle path along the Jagst to Jagsthausen, the home of the knight Götz von Berlichingen. He spent several years of his childhood at Jagsthausen Castle, also known as Götzenburg. Explore the town and visit the Red and White Castles or the Old Town Hall in the town center. The green banks of the Jagst are a nice change from the old town. Stroll along the river, discover nature and enjoy the tranquillity of the water.

Schöntal_Jagsthausen Monastery

Schöntal Monastery in Jagsthausen

Day 5: Sindringen – Öhringen – Schwäbisch Hall, approx. 40 / 50 km

You leave the home of the knight Götz von Berlichingen and cycle along the German Limes cycle path to Öhringen. The town on the Limes enchants you with its special atmosphere and history. The former Hohenlohe castle is located on the medieval market square, the heart of the town. The Castle Road Cycle Route takes you to the destination of this stage, Schwäbisch Hall. The colorful half-timbered houses, the baroque town hall and the Romanesque-Gothic St. Michael's Church give the old town its charm.

Marketplace _Öhringen

The market square of Öhringen

Day 6: Schwäbisch Hall – Kirchberg, approx. 40 km

You cycle along the Burgenstraßen cycle path to Kirchberg an der Jagst. The river has dug deep into the shell limestone of the Hohenlohe plain and formed an impressive valley. The striking town backdrop with the town tower, castle and town church rises above the beautiful Jagst valley. During a leisurely stroll through the town, you have the opportunity to take a closer look at the town tower, the town's landmark, Kirchberg Castle and the Protestant town church.

 

Kirchberg an der Jagst

View of Kirchberg an der Jagst

Day 7: Kirchberg – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, approx. 35 km

In the morning after breakfast, you cycle to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. The historic old town is characterized by beautiful half-timbered houses, slender towers, winding alleyways and impressive fortifications. In the evening, join the night watchman on a tour through dark alleyways and brightly lit squares. He will delight you with his stories about the town and the lives of the people who lived in Rothenburg a long time ago. Let yourself be enchanted by the special atmosphere of darkness.

Old Town Rothenburg

Above the rooftops of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Day 8: Individual departure

Your cycle tour ends on the Burgenstraßen cycle path. We would be happy to extend your stay in Rothenburg or Heidelberg.

Plönlein Old Town Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Plönlein in the old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2026

Arrival on Saturdays and Sundays from 25.04.2026 to 27.09.2026Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

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Season A
25.04. - 03.05.
14.09. - 27.09.
from899 €
Season B
11.05. - 17.05.
31.08. - 13.09.
from999 €
Season C
04.05. - 10.05.
25.05. - 28.06.
10.08. - 30.08.
from1199 €
Season D
18.05. - 24.05.
29.06. - 09.08.
from1299 €

All prices per person in a double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Rothenburg, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Entrance to Heidelberg Castle
  • Guided tour of Rothenburg with the night watchman
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
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Not included is the tourist tax, if due.

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Children discounts


Due to the challenging stages, we do not recommend this trip for children.

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

299 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Heidelberg
 DBL

89 €

 SGL

129 €

Rothenburg ob der Tauber
 DBL

79 €

 SGL

119 €

All prices are per person

The prices for additional nights in the other accommodation locations can be found in the booking form.

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
27-Gear Rental Bike
99 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
179 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
289 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.80 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)
  • Teenager's bike (26 inch)
Fittings

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

Here you find further information and pictures of our rental bikes.

Radweg-Reisen 27-gear unisex bike
27-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 27-gear men's bike
27-gear men's bike, derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 30-gear unisex bike
30-gear unisex bike, derailleur gears with freewheel, trapezoidal frame
Radweg-Reisen 30-gear men's bike
30-gear men's bike, derailleur gears with freewheel, diamond frame
Radweg-Reisen e-bike
Unisex e-bike, 8-gear hub gears with freewheel
Teenager's bike
26 inch teenager's bike

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Heidelberg / Rothenburg ob der Tauber
  • Length
    approx. 260 km
    Daily routes ●●○○○
    between 35 and 50 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●○
    between 140 and 680 hm, Ø 370 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.

days
8

Ø km per day
45