Lahn: classic from Marburg

Between crown and Loreley

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. Stroll through the narrow streets of the historic university town of Marburg 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 Marburg arrival

You should take your time for a short visit of the old town . The famous Elisabeth church and the landgraves' palace are worth visiting, too. In the evening you can enjoy wonderful hours in international restaurants or in students pubs. 

2. day Marburg - Wetzlar 54 km

Look forward to the beautiful Lahn cycle path, which leads through the wide Lahn valley past idyllic bathing ponds to Wetzlar. Explore Wetzlar's old town and the interesting cathedral on an afternoon stroll. Stroll through the medieval market square, discover steep stairs, narrow streets and romantic corners. Experience the modern side of Wetzlar on the optics course. Here you will discover optical phenomena, such as a large diamond made of optical glass, which reflects the light with a sparkle, or a kaleidoscope with infinite reflections.

3. day Wetzlar - Weilburg 32 km / 40 km

You leave Wetzlar over the stone bridge and soon you will reach the Fortuna pit (+ 8 km), the only iron ore mine in Germany where ore mining is demonstrated using original machines underground. The route to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle is located on a high rocky ridge above the Lahn, remains unforgettable in the landscape. In the afternoon you can look forward to a tour of the palace complex with its sumptuous and representative interiors. Treat yourself to a cafe in the baroque palace garden with its orangery, visit the palace church and marvel at the palace courtyard, which annually forms the backdrop for the famous Weilburg palace concerts.

4. 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!

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

Enjoy a scenic highlight today: away from any traffic, you roll along the Lahn cycle path through an untouched valley landscape from Diez to Balduinstein. This day has two climbs in store, whereby you can comfortably bypass one ascent by train (11 km). Then take a rest at the Arnstein Monastery or Nassau Castle before cycling to Bad Ems. You will be thrilled, because your first look is at the architectural gem of Bad Ems: the Kurhaus, the Kurcafe, the Marble Hall, the Kurtheater and the casino are presented in a long row. This "chocolate side" of the Lahn finds a worthy and beautiful continuation in the gardens of the park. Enjoy your stay and let your mind wander.

6. day Bad Ems - Koblenz 17 km / 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 in peace, which was the fate of so many boaters, immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the lively wine village of Boppard or escape with the chairlift to lofty heights and marvel at the unique view of the Rhine loop. However you plan the day, you can enjoy the return journey to Koblenz by ferry.

7. day Koblenz departure

Today your beautiful trip ends after breakfast in Koblenz in the hotel. Train departure possible. If you want to go back to Marburg, we recommend our handy return transfer service (departure at 9:00 a.m., duration approx. 2 hours), 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

Marburg can be easily reached by train from all major cities in Germany. The best way to get to our partner hotels in Marburg 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 Marburg offer good parking options for the entire duration of your bike trip, a reservation is not necessary. Prices different.

You will receive detailed information about the parking options at the hotel booked for you with the detailed travel documents 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 Marburg (approx. 2 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.

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

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.

Marburg Castle

The founding residence of the Hessian Landgrave was built as a castle to crown the land of the so-called “Gisonenfelsen” rocks. Origins date back to around 1000 whereby the Landgrave castle was counted among the first hill castles in Germany and the starting point for the development of Marburg. Landgrave castle, princely residence, fortress – the Gothic and late Gothic structures with renaissance fixtures represent a unique, multifaceted history. The casemates located at the castle moat and park are evidence of this. An important part of the castle, which is now in the possession of the university, is the university museum for cultural history which includes collections on Hesse’s pre and early history, religious art and civic urban living.

Marburg

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 Wetzlar

Explore Wetzlar's old town on foot! This historical tour accompanies you through medieval marketplaces and steep stairs, through narrow streets and romantic corners and introduces you to 43 interesting buildings with historical backgrounds in the old town of Wetzlar.

The old town of Wetzlar

Cathedral Wetzlar

The Cathedral, formerly the collegiate parish Church of Our Lady of Adoration, has remained unfinished. On the site of the current church once stood a 12th century Romanesque church which itself was preceded by two earlier churches. Construction of the choir of a new church began in 1230.

Cathedral 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

The Limburg Cathedral, also known as St. George's Cathedral, towers above the old town of Limburg next to Limburg Castle. The high location on the rocks above the Lahn ensures that the cathedral is visible from afar. Today the building is considered to be one of the most perfect creations of late romanesque architecture. However, elements of the early Gothic can already be seen. It is well preserved in its original form and contains a multitude of murals and early medieval sculpture.

Limburg Cathedral

Guided tours Limburg

Limburg's old town is one of the prettiest and best preserved in the region. It boasts a good number of half-timbered houses, some dating back to the 13th century, but most of them "only" from the 17th or 18th century. All those white houses with their red or black framework give Limburg a particularily cheerful atmosphere.

Limburg

Guided tour in Limburg

Mine Fortuna near Oberbiel

Since 1987 the iron ore mine closed in 1983 pit Fortuna is opened for visitors. To the visitor's mine in the woodland, to the north of Oberbiel, the field and pit road museum Fortuna (FGF) is connected.

Mine Fortuna

Kurwald Mountain Railway, Bad Ems

Discover the Bismarck Hill with the cable railway

Two cabins of the funicular railway connect the city centre with the spa area on the Bismarck's height in the shuttle service. From there on top the visitior has an imposing view of the health resort town and the whole Lahntal as well as the heights of the Taunus. A cafe directly situated in the top terminal and restaurant invites with a panoramic terrace to the enjoyment of the sight.

Cable Railway

"Deutsches Eck" in Koblenz

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