Lahn: short

The short tour

The Lahn cycle path in 5 days: The short tour.

A little bit more than a weekend - but a lot of vacation. On this bike tour you start in the lively university town of Marburg, famous for the Elisabeth church and the Landgrave's castle. Look forward to the relaxed atmosphere in the city with its quaint student bars. Tourism, culture and history have always walked hand in hand in Marburg. Starting from the 13th century: the Teutonic Order built the first Gothic hall church on German soil in honor of St. Elisabeth, who died here in 1231. The Elizabeth church became a destination for pilgrims from all over the country - a first form of tourism. When the university was founded in 1527, Landgrave Philipp the magnanimous laid the foundation stone for the cosmopolitan university city with students and visitors from all over the world. Enjoy the tranquility in the idyllic streets of the historic half-timbered town of Wetzlar and marvel at the world-famous Limburg cathedral and the city center, which is completely under monument protection. Immerse yourself in the flow of time. Enjoy a scenic highlight on the last day of cycling, away from any traffic you roll through the pristine valley landscape before your journey comes to an end in Bad Ems.

1. day Marburg arrival

You should plan enough time to visit the historic old town and the Elisabeth church. Enjoy the student atmosphere and visit one of the many rustic pubs in the evening. (it is possible to arrive by train/parking facilities at the hotel/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.

3. day Wetzlar - Limburg 65 km/ 73 km

You leave Wetzlar over the stone bridge and you will soon reach the Fortuna pit (+ 8 km), the only iron ore mine in Germany, in which visitors can see ore mining using original machinery. The route to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle is located on a high rocky ridge above the Lahn, remains unforgettable in the landscape. The course of the river then winds between Taunus and Westerwald. You cycle on the paved towpath via Aumenau and Runkel to Limburg with its world-famous cathedral.

4. day Limburg - Bad Ems 47 km

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.

5. day Bad Ems departure

Your vacation comes to an end after breakfast. It is possible to depart by train, should you wish to return to Marburg, we recommend our transfer service.

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 facilities 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 between 9:00 am and 10:00 am there is the possibility to use our transfer service back to Marburg (Arrival there approx. 11:00 a.m.). 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.

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 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

The Old University Marburg

The world’s first Protestant university, founded in 1527 by Landgrave Philipp the Magnanimous, provides a major contribution to the town life thanks to its over 26.500 students in medicine, natural sciences, the humanities and social sciences.

The building of the Old University, which is still visible today, was built between 1873 and 1891 by Carl Schäfer in the neo-Gothic style on the foundations of the Dominican abbey dating from the late 13th century. The auditorium located here provides a unique glimpse into the history of the town of Marburg with its large historic canvases by Peter Janssen.

The University church, built at the start of the 14th century, is 500 years older than the neo-Gothic Old University next door.

Old University

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

Lottehaus Wetzlar

The Lotthaus received his name in the 19th century, as a memorial for Charlotte Kestner, born Buff furnished. Charlotte Buff inspired Johann Wolfgang Goethe to the "Lotte" in his novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774).

Lottehaus in Wetzlar

Goethe in 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

Guided City Tour in 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

Diocesan Museum Limburg

Housed in a historic building, this museum is home to a collection of religious art, including a reliquary of the True Cross, a Byzantine work of the 10C, and another of the Staff of St Peter. The museum also boasts a collection of medieval sculpture, the highlight of which is the Lamentation of Christ, a terracotta sculpture dating from 1415.

Diocesan Museum Limburg

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

The Russian Orthodox Church, Bad Ems

The cross-shaped layout is typical for a Russian orthodox church as well as the colours of the domes; the blue colour symbolizes God’s wisdom. Insidethe iconostasis , the magnificently decorated partition wall between the room of the believers and the one which is only for the priest, shows the different patron saints of the orthodox church. Amongst them there is St. Alexandra to whom the church is dedicated.

Church