Lahn: from Marburg with charming hotels

Charming Lahn river

Whether it is a romantic location directly on the Lahn, a central location in the city center or you feel like you are the lord and lady of the castle: on this extremely beautiful Lahn cycle tour, you will stay in stylish 4-star hotels with special charm.

The Lahn cycle path is an insider tip among cycling enthusiasts! You will be amazed by the quiet dream of nature with picturesque half-timbered towns 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 Lotte house 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 the 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 bike excursion to the Loreley and enjoy the boat trip back 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 cycling enthusiasts enough time to enjoy the many sights.

1. day Marburg Arrival

You should plan enough time to visit the historic old town and the Elisabeth church. Enjoy student flair and visit one of the many rustic pubs in the evening. Your Hotel Vila Vita Rosenpark is beautifully located at the Lahn. (arrival by train possible / chargeable parking lot and rental bike at the hotel).

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. Your charming hotel lies only a 3-minute walk away from the historic cathedral and the old town.

3. day Wetzlar - Weilburg 32 km/ 40 km

You leave Wetzlar over the stone bridge and soon you will reach the Fortuna mine (+ 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. Today you will stay at the Schlosshotel Weilburg or the Hotel Lahnschleife, in the middle of the baroque residential town.

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!

Your home for today - the Dom Hotel Limburg - is only 300 m away from the cathedral. An atmosphere of elegance awaits you in the traditional 4-star hotel. Enjoy an extraordinary ambience with lots of loving details and friendly, sophisticated service.

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.

You will stay very central at the Häckers Grand Hotel & Spa Resort. The Grand Hotel in Bad Ems is the first choice if you are looking for an “imperial” wellness hotel in Rhineland- Palatinate.

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, 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. You can then enjoy the return journey to Koblenz by ship. Take a seat on the sun deck and enjoy the panorama of the beautiful Rhine landscape with your wonderful castles.

In Koblenz you stay in the modern Hotel Kleiner Riesen or Hotel Mercure, directly on the Rhine promenade.

7. day Koblenz Departure

Today after breakfast ends your beautiful cycling holiday in Koblenz. DB departure possible, for Marburg we recommend our return transfer service (departure 9:00 am).

Worth knowing about the Lahn river bike trail

Please find more information about the Lahhn river bike trail below. If you have any further questions feel free to contact us by phone: 0049 - (0)6421 - 886890.

Arrival by train

Marburg is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. We recommend to take a taxi from the station to get to our partner hotels in Marburg. Current schedule information and price information can be found at:

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

Our partner hotel in Marburg provides a parking gararge, apprx. 18 € per day/car (2023).

Furthermore there is a close public car park, apprx. 10 € per day/car (2023).

Detailed information on parking at your hotel, you will receive together with the detailed travel documents two weeks prior to departure.

Condition of cycle paths

The Lahn Valley Bike Trail leads through beautiful and varied landscapes of forests, hills, meadows, wetlands and steep slopes studded with rocks. The Lahn originates in the middle of silent forests in the low mountain ranges Siegen-Wittgenstein, the most densely forested region of Germany. After the Lahn has left the mountain country, the Lahn valley widens and passes into a hilly landscape. The Lahn then runs through an open and fertile Shire before the slopes come closer and form a gorge-like valley. In the last section the Lahn runs in tight turns to its mouth with the Rhine at Lahnstein.

The Lahn Valley Cycle Route was honoured in 2006 as one of the first cycle tracks in Germany, with 4 out of 5 stars by the ADFC. Evaluated have been navigability, eviction, security and tourism infrastructure.

You cycle on mostly flat, paved hiking and cycling trails aside from traffic noise, only occasionally a few gradients must be overcome. The route is very well signposted. Most of the time the railway line runs parallel to the bike path.

Available rental bikes

If you choose to rent a velocipede-rental bike for the tour, we bring it to your first hotel and pick it up at your destination. You can choose between woman’s and men's bicycles either with 7-speed gear shift and coaster brake or 27-speed gear shift and freewheel or electric bikes. All ladies' bikes have a low opening that makes mounting and dismounting much easier. The bikes are suitable for all ladies from 150 cm in height and for all gentlemen from 165 cm in height. You simply specify your wishes at time of booking.

Velociped rental bikes

Transfer back to the starting point

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.

Your hotels

Vila Vita Rosenpark Hotel:  A beautiful location with river view. 2 restaurants and a terrace invite to stay. Long awaited and finally opened: the new wellness area to enjoy and feel good! On 1,000 square meters we offer saunas and steam baths, a pool, a gym and a variety of spa treatments.

VIla Vita Rosenpark

Hotel Goethe Wetzlar: This charming hotel is just a 3-minute walk from the historic cathedral and the old town. With the listed building from 1905, which is provided with a unique exterior facade - the sgraffito plaster, you can look forward to an exclusive accommodation.

Hotel Goethe

Schlosshotel Weilburg: Experience the harmonious combination of tradition, comfort and coziness. The 4-star Schlosshotel with its 61 stylishly furnished guest rooms is located directly in the northern part of the Weilburg castle grounds.Swim a few laps in the pool or strengthen yourself in the sauna. After your sauna session, you can cool off in the cold plunge pool or with the Kneipp hose.

Schlosshotel Weilburg

Hotel Lahnschleife Weilburg: you stay in the middle of the baroque residence town Weilburg in the 4-star superior hotel. Enjoy the benefits of the sauna, swimming pool and fitness room or treat yourself to a treatment in the beauty center.

Hotel Lahnschleife

Dom Hotel Limburg: An atmosphere of generous elegance awaits you in our traditional 4* hotel in Limburg. Enjoy an exceptional ambience with many loving details and a friendly, sophisticated service.

Dom Hotel LImburg

Häckers Grand Hotel & Spa Resort:The Grand Hotel in Bad Ems is the first choice if you are looking for an "imperial" spa hotel in Rhineland-Palatinate. Therefore the hotel provides the thermal spa "Kaisergarten", which offers 13 different steam baths and saunas. This includes an herbal steam bath, an outdoor block sauna, an indoor whirlpool, an ice grotto, a Roman steam bath, foot baths and other exclusive relaxation stations. The Häcker's Grand Hotel has a thermal pool, which is fed directly from an underground spring. No matter what kind of relaxation you prefer, this space will captivate you with its special ambience and makes you want to stay.

Häckers Grand Hotel

Hotel Kleiner Riesen Koblenz: You stay in the modern hotel Kleiner Riesen directly on the Rhine promenade with view of the Rhine. Each of the 25 rooms is individually and tastefully furnished and invites you to linger.

Hotel Kleiner Riesen

Hotel Mercure Koblenz: This hotel is located directly on the Rhine near the Electoral Palace. The old town, the Deutsches Eck and the cable car to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress are just a short walk away. After the bike tour and a little city tour, relax in the sauna area. The restaurant "Finesse" has regional specialties ready for you. End the day in style on the Rhine terrace or in the piano bar.

Hotel Mercure Koblenz

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

Just in case the bike chain is broken, 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.

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

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

Old Town Wetzlar

Explore Old Town of Wetzlar, nevertheless, some times on foot! This historical walk accompanies you above medieval marketplaces and precipitous little stairs, through narrow lanes and romantic corners and introduces 43 worth seeing bildings with historical backgrounds in the Wetzlarer Old Town to you.

The old town of Wetzlar

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

Mine Fortuna

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

Cathedral in Limburg

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

Marksburg

Braubach, a little-known town near Koblenz, Germany, has a surprise in store for its visitors. High on the hill overlooking the town sits the imposing Marksburg Castle, dating from 1117. It is arguably the best-preserved castle of the entire Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO site, and one of the best of the German castle tours.

Don't let the “castle” part of its name fool you. Marksburg has nothing in common with Disney fairy tales and it was never meant to be a palace for royalty. Like most countryside castles, Marksburg Castle was a fortress, built by the landowners to protect their harvest, hired hands, and local residents, who paid annual taxes for such protection. The countryside was the domain of outlaw bands, who raided farms and villages to fill their pockets and stomachs.

Marksburg Castle

"Deutsches Eck" in Koblenz

Shortly after Kaiser Wilhelm I’s death, the idea arose of creating a memorial to him, as it was the Kaiser who had brought about the unification of Germany after three years of war. Three years later in 1891, Kaiser 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