The Neckar Cycle Path

Your tour on the Neckar Cycle Path starts in Tübingen. Although the Romans, 85 A.D., have left clear traces in this town, Tübingen is still the youngest town Germany has, with an average age of almost 38 years. This title is thanks to the 28.000 students enrolled at the local university. Tübingen was hardly damaged at all during the Second World War and has a wonderfully preserved history city centre, which can be seen well from the castle and also enjoyed sitting in one of the town's many pubs.

Leaving the busy university town behind you, you now cycle downstream. You will come across a number of bathing pools you might like to stop at and have a swim. You go past Nürtingen, where the poet, Hölderlin, used to go to School. In Plochingen, we recommend visiting the tower by Hundertwasser. Esslingen is one of the towns that wasn't destroyed during the war, enabling you to enjoy its historic flair.

Today you can try the healing waters in the mineral spa resort in Stuttgart-Canstatt and take a break. Further down the river you cycle past lovely terraced vineyards and the royal summer residence at Ludwigsburg. The Neckar valley as home to poets and philosophers is felt most in Marbach, where Friedrich Schiller was born. In the newly renovated Schiller museum you can find out all about the poet.

Cycling past picturesque vineyards, you follow the bends of the river to Lauffen, where you can allow yourself a little sip of the delicious Katzenbeißer wine (cat biter!). Another important wine-growing and wine-trading centre is Heilbronn. The large town is shaped by a mixture of historic and modern buildings. You continue the Neckar Cycle Path along romantic roads past castles to Neckarsulm.

Worthy of a visit is the NSU museum featuring exhibits of historic bicycles and cars. As you approach Bad Wimpfen you will be amazed by the breath-taking views of the town with its many towers and alcoves. Pedaling past terraced vineyards and wooded slopes, you can catch a glimpse of Hornberg Fort. The Staufer town of Eberbach used to be known for its handicraft professions.

The Neckar winds its way through Odenwald forest and depending on which side of the river you're cycling on, either through the county of Baden-Württemberg or Hessen. In Neckargemünd, you will be able to see glimpses of medieval architecture. The famous university town of Heidelberg awaits you with its famous castle ruin, Baroque buildings in the old part of town and a lively cultural scene.

After breakfast, your holiday on the Neckar cycle path ends with your own individual return journey to Tübingen or back home. We are very happy to extend your holiday in Heidelberg.