Lahn: sportive from the spring

Red cheeks are for sure

The Lahn cycle path from spring to estuary in 6 days.

Enjoy the Lahn from spring to estuary on a sporty tour. In the middle of Germany you start in the Rothaar mountains and roll over 245 km on the excellently developed cycle path to the Rhine. During daily stages between 58 and 67 km you will discover everything the beautiful Lahn valley has to offer: extensive nature reserves, protected floodplain landscapes, rustic towns with half-timbered houses and lots of sights in the beautiful places to stay.

Experience the lively university town of Marburg, famous for the Elisabeth church and the Landgrave castle. Look forward to the relaxed atmosphere in the city with its quaint student bars. Tourism, culture and history have always inspired each other in Marburg. That was already the case in 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. 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 monumental protection. Immerse yourself in the flow of time. Enjoy the last day of cycling in Koblenz before the journey comes to an end. This cycling holiday in a harmonious low mountain range is really worth a trip!

1. day Arrival at the spring

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 Lahn spring - Marburg 67 km

Time flies on your first day of cycling. Starting at the spring you will cycle through beautiful wooded countryside to Bad Laasphe. Follow the young river to Biedenkopf an the old town of Marburg. Culture and history have always aroused each other in Marburg. The famous Elisabeth church and the landgraves' palace are worth visiting. In the evening you can enjoy your time in international restaurants or students pubs. 

3. day Marburg - Braunfels 62 km/ 68 km

Today you cycle through the wide Lahn floodplains via Gießen first to the cathedral city of Wetzlar. Make sure you plan a visit to the old town - it's worth it!  But the visit to the ore mine Fortuna (+ 6 km) and the view from the fairytale castle Braunfels are definitely worth seeing as well.

4. day Braunfels - Limburg 58 km

Another highlight awaits you today. You cycle on the Lahn cycle path to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle you should definitely not miss! Follow the Lahn cycle path very close to the river. Visit what is probably Germany's largest castle ruin in Runkel, before visiting the world-famous Limburg cathedral and the beautiful old town.

5. day Limburg - Koblenz 59 km

Once again, the Lahn cycle path offers the highest level of cycling pleasure. You cycle on the former towpath to Balduinstein. On this section you can enjoy a bike path like in a picture book! A stop at the Lahn winegrowers will refresh the mind and the palate. Visit Nassau castle and the attractive, traditional Spa-town Bad Ems before the Rhine valley opens up before your eyes. In Lahnstein it is time to say goodbye to the idyllic course of the river Lahn, because the last few kilometers you follow the Rhine cycle path to the center of Koblenz.

6. 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 € (2023), payable on site (closed on Tuesdays). Current timetable and price informations can be found at:

Train schedule 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 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.

The Old Town Bad Laasphe

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

Old town in Bad Laasphe

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

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

The 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

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

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

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

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.

Kurwald Mountain Railway

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