Lahn: classic from Bad Laasphe

Classic from Bad Laasphe

The Lahn cycle path is an insider tip among bike enthusiasts! You will be amazed by the quiet dream of nature with picturesque half-timbered houses and wide nature reserves.

Use the day of arrival for an excursion to the Lahn spring and on the next day in Marburg stroll through the narrow streets of the historic university town with the famous Elisabeth Church. Visit the Goethe city of Wetzlar with the Lottehaus and the disused iron ore mine Grube Fortuna on your bike tour. Discover the residential city of Weilburg with the beautiful castle complex and the old town of Limburg with the world-famous cathedral. Take a break at Arnstein Abbey and in the historic tavern on the Lahn before you reach Bad Ems, one of the most beautiful and traditional spas in Germany. Top off your bike tour with a detour to the Loreley and enjoy the return trip by ferry from St. Goar to the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz. The most beautiful places to stay in the Lahn valley and the balanced route offer all bike- lovers enough time to enjoy the many sights.

1. day Bad Laasphe arrival

You should take your time for a short visit of the old town or the Lahn- spring (arrival by train is possible/ parking lot at the hotel/ rental bike at the hotel).

2. day Bad Laasphe - Marburg 51 km

The well-signposted Lahn cycle path takes you today to Biedenkopf, which is dominated by its Landgrave Castle. Look forward to this small half-timbered town and stroll leisurely through the romantic alleys. Then you continue on idyllic bike paths to the old university town of Marburg.

Here is life in the city! Visit the famous Elisabeth Church and the Marburg Landgrave Castle. Let yourself be captured by the fairytale old town and enjoy beautiful evenings in international restaurants or in rustic student pubs.

3. day Marburg - Wetzlar 54 km

Today the landscape is changing. You cycle through the wide open Lahn valley to Wetzlar, whereby the slopes on the right and left become much flatter. You cycle past two tempting bathing lakes and the interesting wood technology museum in Wismar on small field paths. Look forward to the small half-timbered city center of Wetzlar with the cathedral, which is still unfinished today. In the afternoon, marvel at the city's oldest half-timbered house from 1356, the Domplatz and the fish market. During your stroll through town, you will surely notice the optics course and also the Viseum - the house of optics and precision mechanics, because the Leitz factories are at home in Wetzlar.

4. day Wetzlar - Weilburg 32 km/ 40 km

You leave Wetzlar over the historic stone bridge and soon have to decide whether you want to make a detour from the Lahn valley to the Fortuna mine (+ approx. 8 km). It is very worthwhile to visit this disused iron ore mine. You can walk through the tunnel to reach the cage to the actual shaft. From here you go down to the 150 m level and continue with the mine train to the mining area. You will be accompanied by experienced mine guides who will demonstrate coal mining with the old original machines and explain the work processes. Back in the Lahn valley, follow the Lahn cycle path to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle towers over the Lahn on a high rocky ridge. Get to know the most beautiful sides of this baroque residential town on a leisurely stroll through town and be sure to visit the castle and the castle garden with its wonderful panoramic terrace.

5. day Weilburg - Limburg 40 km

The course of the river winds it's way between Taunus and Westerwald today. You cycle idyllically on the paved path via Aumenau and Runkel to Limburg. The Limburg Cathedral, also known as St. George's Cathedral, towers above the old town next to Limburg Castle. This high location on the rocks above the Lahn ensures that the cathedral is visible from afar. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful creations of late romanesque architecture. Not only is a visit to the world-famous Limburg Cathedral an absolute must, but also a stroll through the city center, because it is one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany!

6. day Limburg - Bad Ems 36 km/ 47 km

Enjoy another highlight today: away from any traffic, you roll along the Lahn cycle path through an untouched valley landscape from Diez to Balduinstein. But this day has two climbs in store, whereby you can comfortably bypass one ascent by train (11 km). On your way to Bad Ems, take a worthwhile break at the Arnstein monastery and visit Nassau castle, which is well worth seeing.

Look forward to the former imperial Spa Bad Ems, which will surely inspire you with its historical backdrop. Marvel at the spa architecture, magnificent baroque buildings such as the Kurhaus, the fountain hall and the amusement arcade. We recommend taking the Kurwaldbahn up the steep slope of the Lahn. Enjoy a good cafe up here with a fantastic view of Bad Ems.

7. day Bad Ems - Koblenz 17 / 46 km

After 12 km the Rhine valley opens before your eyes. Here you can crown your bike tour with a detour (+ 29 km) via Boppard and St. Goar to the Loreley.

Climb the famous rock which was the fate of so many sailors, immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the lively wine village of Boppard or escape with the lift to lofty heights and marvel at the unique view of the Rhine loop. Return to Koblenz by ferry. Take a seat on the sun deck and enjoy the panorama of the beautiful Rhine landscape with it's wonderful castles.

8. day Koblenz departure

Today your beautiful holiday ends after breakfast in Koblenz in the hotel. train departure possible. If you want to go back to Bad Laasphe, we recommend our return transfer service (departure at 9:00 am), which will take you directly from the hotel in Koblenz back to the start hotel.

Worth knowing

Below you will find specific information about the bike trip on the Lahn - bike path. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Bad Laasphe can be easily reached by train from all major cities in Germany. The best way to get to our partner hotels is a short taxi ride from the train station.

You can find information on timetables and prices at:

Train information

Parking at the hotel

Our partner hotels in Bad Laasphe offer good parking facilities, sometimes even free of charge, for the entire duration of your bike trip.Reservation is not necessary.

You will receive detailed information about the parking options at the hotel booked for you with the travel documents about two weeks before the start of your journey.

Condition of cycle paths

The Lahn cycle path leads through charming landscapes with forests, hills, meadows, floodplains and steep slopes studded with rocks. The Lahn has its origins in the middle of  the low mountain range of Siegerland-Wittgenstein, one of the most densely forested regions in Germany. After the Lahn has left the mountains, the Lahn valley widens and turns into a hilly landscape. The Lahn then runs through fertile and open floodplain forests before the slopes of the Lahn valley come closer and form a gorge-like valley. In the last section, the Lahn runs in tight turns until it flows into the Rhine at Lahnstein.

In 2006, the Lahntal cycle path was one of the first cycle paths in Germany to be awarded 4 out of 5 possible stars by the ADFC. Among other things, Navigability, signposting, safety and tourist infrastructure assessed.

You cycle on mostly flat, paved bike and hiking trails away from traffic, only occasionally small climbs have to be mastered. The route is consistently well and consistently signposted. For the most part, a railway line runs parallel to the path.

Available rental bikes

If you would like a rental bike for the tour, we will bring it to your starting hotel and of course pick it up at your destination. You can choose from unisex and men's bikes with either 7-speed gear hub and coaster brake or 27-speed derailleur and freewheel. All unisex bikes have a deep step-through and men's bikes are available in different frame sizes. Our unisex bikes are suitable for all persons from 150 cm in height and the men's bikes from 165 cm. 8-speed unisex e-bikes are also available on request. Simply state your bike requirements when booking.

Velociped rental bikes

Transfer back to the starting point of the journey

Daily at 9 am there is the possibility to use our transfer service back to Bad Laasphe (approx. 2.5 hrs). Pick up is at your hotel and the bus takes you back to your first hotel, thus ensuring a perfect return service. If you bring your own bicycles, an additional fee will be charged.

Cat. Charme

On this exceptionally beautiful Lahn cycle tour, you will stay in stylish 4-star hotels with a special charm. In Bad Laasphe you stay at the Hotel Lahntal, in Marburg in the Vila Vita Rosenpark directly at the Lahn, in Wetzlar in the Hotel Goethe near the old town and cathedral, in Weilburg in the Hotel Lahnschleife, in Limburg in the traditional Dom Hotel, in Bad Ems in the dignified Häckers Grand Hotel & Spa Resort and in Koblenz in the modern Hotel Kleiner Riesen directly on the Rhine promenade.

Extra costs which are not inculded

A possibly applicable city tax is not included and has to be paid at the hotel locally.

7 days hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible.

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

The Old Town Bad Laasphe

The old town is characterized by 63 listed half-timbered houses and exudes a cozy atmosphere.

Old Town in Bad Laasphe

St. Elisabeth Church Marburg

Construction of the earliest purely Gothic hall church on German soil began in the same year that Elisabeth of Thuringia was canonised (1235). The church which was erected by the Teutonic Order over the grave of Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia was consecrated in 1283 and became one of the most important pilgrimage sites of the late Middle Ages. Until today, the Protestant community church is an extraordinary monument to sacred architecture and the destination of tens of thousands of visitors every year. In addition to the burial ground of the Landgraves of Hessen, Elisabeth’s richly ornamented golden shrine is very impressive. The colourful stained-glass windows show St. Elisabeth’s life and charity work and are among the most significant examples of Gothic glass art. 

St. Elisabeth Church

Old Town with Town Hall

Charming lanes and winding stairs, beautifully renovated timber-frame houses and historic churches – Marburg’s old town invites visitors to take a stroll, pass the time and relax with its unique charm. Everywhere you’ll find numerous documents and traces left behind by history’s greats such as the Brothers Grimm, Martin Luther or the Nobel Prize winner Emil von Behring.

The central market square, with its late Gothic Town Hall from the 16th century is the image of town life. For over 400 years now, the same amusing exhibition has played out every hour on the hour. On the Renaissance gable of the Town Hall, the cock raises its wings to the rasping-tinny sound of the messenger’s trumpet call.

Marburg

Lottehaus Wetzlar

The Lotthaus received in the 19th century his name common still today, as 1863 Wetzlarer citizen there a memorial for Charlotte Kestner, born Buff furnished. Charlotte Buff inspired Johann Wolfgang Goethe to the main shape of the "Lotte" in his first novel "Die Leiden des jungen Werthers" (1774).

Lottehaus in Wetzlar

Goethe in Wetzlar

Weilburg Castle

The Weilburg Castle (former residential castle of the House of Nassau, Dukes of Nassau-Weilburg) was sold to the State of Prussia in 1935 by Charlotte of Nassau-Weilburg, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, together with her other Nassau residence, Biebrich Palace at Wiesbaden. The ruling House of Luxemburg kept however the burial chapel of their ancestors. This magnificent castle has been a museum since 1935 and can be visited by guided tour.

Weilburg Castle

Limburg Cathedral

With its multiple towers and hilltop site overlooking a river, the Limburger Dom looks like a Romantic castle. Located at the top of the attractive city of Limburg an der Lahn in the Rhineland, the painted church was built in the 13th century and only became a cathedral in 1827. It is well preserved in its original form and contains a multitude of murals and early medieval sculpture.

Limburg Cathedral

Marble Hall Bad Ems

In the past there were roaring balls and theatrical performances with world stars that filled the building complex with life. Today's glamor is often spoiled by the audience when wedding couples celebrate the most beautiful day of their lives in the marble hall with its incomparable ambience.

Marble hall Bad Ems

Loreley

The Loreley is a 433 feet high slate cliff in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley near the town of St. Goarshausen. The view of St. Goarshausen, from the Loreley ( Lorelei ) view point, with Castle Katz and the view of the town St. Goar and its Fortress Rheinfels, leaves a wonderful impression on all tourists.

The Rhine, at the Loreley, is up to 82 feet deep and only 371 feet wide. Because this area is so deep and narrow, it is one of the most dangerous places in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Ships, crossing each other here and all along the section between Oberwesel and St. Goarshausen, are directed by light signals, called “Wahrschau”.

Loreley

Deutsches Eck

World-famous: Where Father Rhine and Mother Moselle meet: The Deutsches Eck ("German Corner")

The establishment of the Teutonic Order at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle in 1216 gave this historic site its name, the “Deutsches Eck”. Koblenz also owes its name to the meeting point of the Rhine and the Moselle - from “Castellum apud Confluentes”, Latin for “fort at the confluence”, which over time became the current name of Koblenz.

Shortly after emperor Wilhelm I’s death, the idea arose of creating a memorial to him, as it was the emperor who had brought about the unification of Germany after three years of war. Three years later in 1891, emperor Wilhelm II, the grandson of the deceased, chose the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz as the most suitable location. A harbour of refuge in the Moselle estuary was filled in to create space for the memorial. The Deutsches Eck in its present form was created.

Deutsches Eck