2025
Speyer

Cycling Tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg

Biking along the Rhine

Freiburg – Offenburg – Speyer – Heidelberg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Bächle in Freiburg, wine enjoyment at the Kaiserstuhl, excursion to Strasbourg
  • Spa town Baden-Baden, Karlsruhe Castle & Heidelberg Old Town
  • Daily routes ●●●○○, altitude profile ●○○○○

Days
9

Ø km per day
45

The cycling tour on the Rhine from Freiburg to Heidelberg takes you from Breisgau to the Neckar. You start in the Bächle city of Freiburg, which welcomes you with its sublime cathedral and a lively old town. From Freiburg, you will travel not far from the Rhine through the countless vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl region. On the way and in your overnight accommodations in Breisach, Vogtsburg and Ettenheim, you will have countless opportunities to enjoy the sun-drenched wines of Baden - to your health! With the Black Forest to your right and the Rhine plain to your left, your cycling vacation will take you along the Rhine Cycle Path from Freiburg to Heidelberg to Offenburg. From here you have the opportunity to take a trip to Strasbourg. After you have breathed the Alsatian air, you will get to know Baden-Baden, one of Germany‘s most famous spas, walk in the footsteps of the former margraves in Rastatt and Karlsruhe and meet one of the most impressive German church buildings in Speyer. At the end of your cycling vacation on the Rhine
Cycle Route from Freiburg to Heidelberg, you can take a longer break in Schwetzingen, which also boasts a magnificent castle complex. With Heidelberg you reach the Neckar and one of the most beautiful cities in southern Germany, which has a lot to offer both culturally and historically. During your cycling vacation on the Rhine Cycle Route from Freiburg to Heidelberg, you can expect few to medium gradients, which are suitable for ambitious cycling novices as well as for experienced cyclists.

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    RH-FH8
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* level
  • Duration
    9 days / 8 nights
  • Arrival days
    Daily
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Print version PDF
    incl. hotel examples
  • Return to Freiburg
    On your own by train from Heidelberg: connections several times daily, 1 – 2 x change. Duration about 2 – 3 hours
Map of the Rhine bike tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg

Day 1: Individual arrival in Freiburg

Welcome to the Breisgau! Your cycling tour begins in Freiburg and will take you all the way to the Neckar River in Heidelberg. Freiburg is situated in one of the sunniest regions of Germany. After checking in at your hotel, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the vibrant old town and visit the impressive cathedral. A unique feature of Freiburg are the Bächle, small watercourses running through the streets. According to local legend, anyone who accidentally steps into one of these water channels is destined to marry a Freiburg resident.

Martinstor Freiburg

Welcome to Freiburg

Day 2: Freiburg – Breisach / Vogelgrun / Vogtsburg, approx. 30 – 45 km

The first stage of your cycling tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg takes you to Breisach. From afar, the Cathedral of St. Stephen, with its towering presence above the Rhine plain, is impossible to miss. The church, featuring a blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, is home to numerous treasures. Nearby, the town of Vogtsburg, the largest wine-growing community in Baden-Württemberg, is also home to Germany's only corkscrew museum. You will spend the night in Breisach, Vogtsburg, or Vogelgrun, located on the French side of the Rhine.

Vogtsburg vineyard

Vineyards near Vogtsburg

Day 3: Breisach – Ettenheim, approx. 50 / 40 km

Once back in the saddle, today's stage of your bike tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg takes you through the picturesque vineyards of the Kaiserstuhl towards Ettenheim. Be prepared for some larger inclines during the first few kilometres. Nestled amidst rolling vineyards, the baroque town of Ettenheim lies at the junction of the Rhine plain and the Black Forest. The historic town centre is marked by elegant baroque buildings. On the outskirts of the town, you’ll find the Heubergturm, a tower offering a panoramic view of the Vosges, the Kaiserstuhl, and the Black Forest. To end your day on a perfect note, indulge in a glass of Baden wine from the local vineyards.

Ettenheim

Ettenheim

Day 4: Ettenheim – Offenburg, excursion to Strasbourg, approx. 35 km + train ride

Today's stage of your cycling tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg takes you first to Offenburg. From there, you have the option to take a comfortable train ride (not included) to the French city of Strasbourg. Known as the capital of Europe, Strasbourg is home to numerous European institutions and offers a wealth of charm, particularly in the picturesque tanners' quarter, La Petite France. Here, you can explore beautiful wine taverns. Do try some local Alsatian wine and a tarte flambée! After your visit, take the train (not included) back to Offenburg, where you will spend the night.

La Petite France_Streasbourg

La Petite France Strasbourg

Day 5: Offenburg – Rastatt, approx. 60 km

From Offenburg, you will cycle north along the edge of the Rhine plain, passing through expansive fields, until you reach the renowned spa town of Baden-Baden. Famous for its thermal baths, the Kurhaus, and its world-renowned casino, Baden-Baden is a place of both relaxation and history. The casino has even inspired a local culinary delight: the Baden-Baden Roulettekugeln, a delicious praline specialty. After exploring, you will continue on your bike for the final stretch to Rastatt. This charming baroque town is situated in the Upper Rhine plain along the small river Murg. Be sure to visit the grand residential palace, with its impressive garden front measuring a remarkable 230 metres, reminiscent of the famous Palace of Versailles in France.

Favorite Castle Rastatt

Favorite Castle in Rastatt

Day 6: Rastatt – Ettlingen, approx. 45 km

Leaving Rastatt behind, you will head towards Karlsruhe, a baroque residential city built just over 300 years ago. The heart of Karlsruhe is the expansive Schlossplatz, home to the three-winged palace. Inside, you'll find the Badisches Landesmuseum, which offers a fascinating journey through 50,000 years of cultural history—truly impressive! Just a few kilometres further, your journey concludes in the charming town of Ettlingen, a picturesque destination perfect for a relaxing end to the day.

Ettlingen

Ettlingen

Day 7: Ettlingen – Speyer, approx. 65 km

Your cycling tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg takes you across the Baden-Württemberg border into Rhineland-Palatinate, with your destination for the day being the historic imperial city of Speyer, one of the oldest cities in Germany. As you explore, you’ll encounter traces of the city’s rich history at every turn. Notable is the imposing cathedral, an exceptional example of Romanesque architecture and one of the largest preserved churches of its kind in the world. For a breathtaking view, climb the southwest tower, where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic vista over Speyer and the surrounding region.

Speyer Cathedral

Speyer Cathedral

Day 8: Speyer – Schwetzingen – Heidelberg, approx. 30 km

On the final stage of your cycling tour from Freiburg, you will make your way to your destination, Heidelberg. After bidding farewell to the Rhine, your journey first takes you to Schwetzingen. Here, leave your bike behind and take a leisurely stroll through the magnificent baroque gardens of Schwetzingen Castle, a site well worth visiting. From Schwetzingen, continue on to Heidelberg, a city set along the Neckar River, dominated by the dramatic ruins of Heidelberg Castle. The charming old town, with its array of churches and historic buildings, is equally captivating and offers plenty to explore.

Schwetzingen Castle

Schwetzingen Castle

Day 9: Individual departure

After breakfast, your cycling tour from Freiburg to Heidelberg comes to an end. Should you wish to extend your stay, we would be delighted to arrange an extra night for you.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and Prices 2025

Arrival daily from 05.04.2025 to 12.10.2025Early 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
05.04.
12.10.
from949 €
Season B
06.04. - 11.04.
21.04. - 25.04.
04.05. - 09.05.
21.09. - 11.10.
from1129 €
Season C
12.04. - 20.04.
26.04. - 03.05.
10.05. - 23.05.
22.06. - 04.07.
24.08. - 20.09.
from1299 €
Season D
24.05. - 21.06.
05.07. - 23.08.
from1429 €

All prices per person in double room

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Services

  • 7 nights with breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Heidelberg, no limit on 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.)
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Not included:

  • City or visitor's tax (if payable)
  • Train ride Offenburg – Strasbourg – Offenburg, approx. 20 € per person, excl. bike
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Children's discount

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 17 years

-25%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.
Due to the more demanding stages, we recommend this trip only for young people with good stamina.

 

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

349 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Freiburg
 DBL

65 €

 SGL

99 €

Heidelberg
 DBL

89 €

 SGL

125 €

All prices are per person

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

 

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
30-gear rental bike
30-Gear Rental Bike
169 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
269 €
Children's and Teenager's bike
Children's and Teenager's bike
49 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 10-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)
  • Electric bike / pedelec with freewheel (minimum age for e-bike rental: 16 years)
  • Teenager's bike (26 inch)
Fittings

Bag, handlebar bag, odometer, bike lock, air pump, puncture repair kit

Here you can find more information and photos of our rental bikes.

Radweg-Reisen 10-gear unisex bike
10-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 10-gear men's bike
10-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg Travel 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, freewheel
Teenager's bike
26 inch Teenager's bike

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Freiburg / Heidelberg
  • Length
    approx. 300 – 325 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 30 and 65 km, Ø 45 km
    Altitude profile ●○○○○
    zwischen 40 und 270 m, Ø 147 m elevation gain
  • 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
9

Ø km per day
45