A tour through German romanticism

Along the young Ilm you will enjoy idyllic trails until reaching its mouthing into the Saale. The bike trails are mostly flat and lead along the river and through wide landscape gardens, Goethe’s summer houses and Weimar, a place of great German history.
In Weimar you will participate in an interesting guided tour of the town. Then, the Saale takes you to the beautiful Naumburg with its famous cathedral and then on to the medieval Merseburg. Nature, culture and culinary arts are the main themes of this trip. Among the a- category hotels we have chosen for you are the traditional Hotel Elephant in Weimar, Auerstedt castle and the Radisson SAS hosted by the Zechschen Palais of Merseburg.

1. day  Arriving in Ilmenau

Ilmenau lies in the middle of the largest German forest. „Ich war immer gern hier und bin es noch; ich glaube es kommt von der Harmonie, in der hier alles steht“, with these words, Goethe praised Ilmenau to his friend Schiller. After a short introduction and the handover of the bikes, you will get to know the town by foot.

2. day  Ilmenau-Bad Berka 40 km

A magnificent day on your bikes along the Ilm lies ahead of you. The calm bike trails lead closely along the river and are seamed by willows and alders. At times, the river will widen to small lakes or wind through glades accompanied by the croaking of frogs. Marvel at historic saline towers, Thuringia’s greatest market place in Stadtilm and at the spectacular limestone walls of the Ilm valley. In the evening, we recommend a relaxing walk through the neo-classical health resort Bad Berka with its Goethe-spring.

3. day  Bad Berka-Weimar 20 km

The historic timber bridge near Buchfahrt helps you cross the Ilm in a wonderful environment. Shortly before Weimar, the landscape dilates into a park by the Ilm. Did you know that Goethe himself planned the parkway that also hosts his famous summer house?
Enjoy the town of the great genies. This is where the heart of the German culture beats. The greatest poet laureates, composers, philosophers, architects and aesthetes were attracted by this place. A guided tour through the historical Old Town of Weimar will let you feel the prominence of this place.
If you wish so, it is possible to book an additional night in Weimar.

4. day  Weimar-Bad Sulza 32 km

A day like in a picture book! Landscape gardens take you to Tiefurt castle, the stunning summer residence of the Duchess Anna Amalie. Wide meadows with scattered fruit trees lead to the town of bells, to Apolda. Today, the largest bell manufactured in Apolda rings in the cathedral of Cologne! Either accomodation, the manor Auerstedt castle or the hotel in Bad Sulza, will be reached in no time from here. Auerstedt castle once served as the scene for the battle the Prussians fought against Napoleon.

5. day  Bad Sulza-Naumburg 30 km

Today, the landscape will change significantly. Leaving behind Bad Sulza, you will cycle through the Thuringian wine gate and dive into the northernmost wine growing region in Germany, the Saale –Unstrut region. Rolling through lovely vineyards, small local restaurants invite for a short break every now and then before reaching Naumburg. The cathedral St. Peter and Paul, one of the most significant cultural monuments dating from the Middle Ages, and the historical Old Town are worth a visit. Alternatively, a short side trip along the Unstrut to the champagne cellars of Freyburg is possible.

6. day  Naumburg-Merseburg 36 km

The Saale accompanies you today. With lots of little windings, its bike trail takes you to Weißenfels, whose castle can already be seen from the distance. Marvel at the castle’s church, a real gem of the early Baroque in white, pink and apple green. After a regenerating break, you will continue to Merseburg via Bad Dürrenberg. The panorama of Merseburg with its cathedral and castle is one of Germany’s most beautiful medieval panoramas. Having been the seat of princes, kings and bishops for more than a 1000 years, Merseburg presents itself in its entire beauty today.

7. day  Merseburg departure

Your magnificent bike trip along Ilm, Saale and Unstrut ends here in Merseburg after breakfast.