Lahn: laid-back tour

The laid-back bicycle tour

The laid-back tour on the Lahn cycle path from spring to estuary in 10 days.

Let yourself be tempted by the charming Lahn valley to take a particularly enjoyable bike tour from the spring to Koblenz. Follow the Lahn cycle path on short daily tours through deep green forests, along lush river meadows, well-fortified castles and through romantic small towns with half-timbered houses. On this eventful path, the glittering ribbon that is the river Lahn meanders through the fairytale lands of the Brothers Grimm. 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 on this 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 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. On this trip you will have enough time for everything!

1. day Lahnquelle arrival

The Lahn-spring is located in the middle of Germany in the beautiful Rothaar Mountains. You spend the night directly at the spring in the middle of the forest in the cozy, comfortable “Forsthaus Lahnquelle” (for rail travelers, pick-up service from Feudingen train station is available on request/ car park at the hotel / rental bike at the hotel).

2. day Lahnquelle - Biedenkopf 30 km

Enjoy the first day of your trip in a particularly special way, because from a height of 600 m you roll down from the Rothaar Mountains through a forested landscape via Feudingen to Bad Laasphe. Along the still small Lahn, the well-signposted Lahn cycle path takes you to Biedenkopf, which is dominated by its Landgrave castle.

Look forward to the romantic streets of the half-timbered old town on the Schlossberg and to the castle, which was built by Heinrich III in the middle of the 15th century. Today it is one of the most important cultural monuments of the State of Hesse.

3. day Biedenkopf - Marburg 39 km

You roll comfortably through the widening Lahn valley to Sarnau with it's Otto Ubbelohde museum. It is worth taking a short break here, because Otto Ubbelohde became known and famous for his drawn print templates for book illustrations and for his illustrations for the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. From here it will only take you a few kilometers to the old university town of Marburg. It is worth visiting 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.

4. day Marburg - Gießen 34 km

Time to say goodbye to the fascinating Marburg. But in the wide Lahn valley you roll quickly on flat paths to Gießen and can enjoy the journey through fields and meadows without any worries. The Mathematikum, the first mathematical interactive museum in the world, beckons in Gießen. Visitors of all ages and educational backgrounds can experiment here: they break their heads playing puzzle games, watch a ball race, stand in a giant soap skin and much more. Let yourself be surprised!

5. day Gießen - Wetzlar 21 km

Today's trip is easy to cycle and takes you to Wetzlar in the morning without any effort. Explore the old town and the interesting cathedral on an extensive tour - it's worth it! 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.

6. day Wetzlar - Weilburg 32 km

The first kilometers of the day will be accomplished fast. You leave Wetzlar over the historic stone bridge and the route to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle lies on a high rocky ridge above the Lahn, remains unforgettable in terms of landscape. You can look forward to an informative guided tour of the palace, the beautiful palace garden with café and the only ship tunnel in Germany, which, completed in 1847, shortens a large, wide loop of the Lahn.

7. 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!

8. day Limburg - Nassau 27-39 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 Nassau, take a worthwhile break at the Arnstein monastery. A beautiful forest path leads you to Nassau with its small castle, which you can still conquer in the afternoon.

9. day Nassau - Koblenz 28 km

The historic inn on the Lahn beckons on the right-hand side of the Lahn before you cycle into Bad Ems. Be amazed by the numerous buildings that tell of the globally significant resort architecture (Bäderarchitektur), Roman history and German romanticism. Continue on by bike, after 12 km the Rhine Valley opens up before your eyes. What a wonderful view! You cycle on the beautiful Rhine cycle path to the Deutsches Eck and into the heart of Koblenz.

10. day Koblenz departure

Your holiday ends after breakfast. You can either depart by train or return to the spring by using our comfortable transfer service (departure 9:00 am).

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

The closest train station is Feudingen. Pick-up from Feudingen train station to the hotel can be booked through the hotel at a reasonable price. The cost per trip (max. 6 people) is around 30,00 € (closed on Tuesdays) (2023). Current timetable and price informations can be found at:

Train information

Parking facilities at the hotel

At hotel Forsthaus Lahnquelle you can park your car for the entire duration of your tour, costs approx. 5,00 € per day (2023). No reservation possible.

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 the spring (approx. 3 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 included

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.

Spring of the Lahn river

The Lahn rises in the southern Rothaargebirge very close to other two rivers in the region, Sieg and Eder. The source is located at an altitude of 610 m near Lahnhof (North Rhine-Westphalia). The Lahn Cycle Path accompanies the river from its spring to its mouth into the Rhine river near Lahnstein. This bike path is one of the most popular long-distance cycle paths in Germany.

Castle Biedenkopf

The landmark of Biedenkopf is the Landgrave castle, built in the 15th century, with its museum “Hinterlandmuseum”, which towers high above the small lanes of the half-timbered old town.

Biedenkopf

Castle

Marburg Castle

Dominating the landscape, the primary residence of Hesse’s Landgraves was built as fortress on a rocky outcrop known as the Gisonenfelsen. The earliest traces of habitation date back to around 1000 AD, making the Castle of the Landgrave one of the first hill castles in Germany and the nucleus for the growth of the town of Marburg.

Marburg

Marburg Castle

St. Elisabeth Church

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

Mathematikum Gießen

Mathematikum in Giessen is the world's first mathematical science center. More than 170 exhibits open a new door to mathematics. Visitors of all ages and educational backgrounds exerimentate: they puzzle, build bridges, stand in a giant soap bubble, see themselves infinite times in a mirror and many many more.

Mathematikum Gießen

Braunfels Castle

Looks like in a fairy tale, but is true: located on the top of a basalt rock, Schloss Braunfels welcomes its visitors. Since 800 years the castle is a living cultural monument, rich in very special art treasures and still inhabited by the family.

Castle Braunfels

Weilburg castle

Weilburg Castle with adjoining castle garden towers high above Weilburg, on the top of the mountain spur. Here you can enjoy the best view over Weilburg.

Castle Weilburg

The Limburg Cathedral

With its multiple towers the Limburger Dom looks like a Romantic castle. Located at the top of the attractive city of Limburg an der Lahn the painted church was built in the 13th century and 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

Nassau

Nassau an der Lahn is the cradle of numerous European monarchies. Even today, descendants of the House of Nassau reign in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg with King William Alexander of the Netherlands and Grand Duke Henri. This impressive history is best brought to life by a visit to Nassau Castle, the ancestral seat of the noble families. 

Nassau

"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.

Deutsche Eck