Lahn: classic from the spring

Welcome to the Lahn valley!

Welcome to the Lahn valley, a beautiful romantic river valley, a valley full of possibilities. From the spring to the confluence with the Rhine, you cycle on the well-signposted Lahn cycle path. On the way, discover a unique natural landscape with historic cities. The old university town of Marburg, Wetzlar - the city of optics, Weilburg with its renaissance castle, Limburg with the world-famous cathedral and the old imperial Spa Bad Ems with its baroque look. At the end of your bike tour, a wonderful boat trip awaits you on the Rhine, which will take you to Koblenz.

1. day Arrival at the spring

In the middle of Germany, in the region Siegen-Wittgenstein the river Lahn arises. You will spend the night at hotel "Fortshaus Lahnquelle" next to the the spring in the forest.

f you arrive by train, the hotel offers a pick-up service from the train station in Bad Laasphe-Feudingen for a small value. Parking available at the hotel.

2. day Spring - Marburg 67 km

Enjoy the first day of your cycling trip in a particularly special way, because from a height of 600 m you roll down from the Rothaargebirge through a forested landscape via Feudingen to Bad Laasphe. Along the still small Lahn, the well-signposted Lahn cycle path first takes you to Biedenkopf, which is dominated by its Landgrave Castle. Take a break and stroll through the romantic streets of the half-timbered old town.

But the old university town of Marburg also demands your time. It is worth visiting the famous Elisabeth Church, the Marburg Landgrave Castle and the fairytale old town. In the evening you can enjoy wonderful hours in one of the many restaurants or in rustic student pubs.

3. day Marburg - Wetzlar 54 km

With the hustle and bustle through the winding streets of Marburg still in your mind, today you cycle through the wide open Lahn valley to Wetzlar. The slopes to the right and left are now much flatter and bathing lakes attract cyclists along the way. The Lahn cycle path takes you on small dirt roads towards your destination for the day. In the small half-timbered town of Wetzlar, marvel at the still unfinished cathedral, the oldest half-timbered house in the city from 1356, the cathedral square and the fish market. Take a tour of the optics course or visit the Viseum - the house of optics and precision mechanics. Wetzlar has so many interesting sites!

4. day Wetzlar - Weilburg 32 km/ 40 km

You leave Wetzlar over the historic stone bridge and soon have to decide whether you want to make a detour from the Lahn valley to the Fortuna mine (+ approx. 8 km). It is very worthwhile to visit this disused iron ore mine. You can walk through the tunnel to reach the cage to the actual shaft. From here you go down to the 150 m level and continue with the mine train to the mining area. You will be accompanied by experienced mine guides who will demonstrate coal mining with the old original machines and explain the work processes. Back in the Lahn valley, follow the Lahn cycle path to Weilburg, whose renaissance castle towers over the Lahn on a high rocky ridge. Get to know the most beautiful sides of this baroque residential town on a leisurely stroll through town and be sure to visit the castle and the castle garden with its wonderful panoramic terrace.

5. 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!

6. day Limburg - Bad Ems 36 km/ 47 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 Bad Ems, take a worthwhile break at the Arnstein monastery and visit Nassau castle, which is well worth seeing.

Look forward to the former imperial Spa Bad Ems, which will surely inspire you with its historical backdrop. Marvel at the spa architecture, magnificent baroque buildings such as the Kurhaus, the fountain hall and the amusement arcade. We recommend taking the Kurwaldbahn up the steep slope of the Lahn. Enjoy a good cafe up here with a fantastic view of Bad Ems.

7. 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 sailors, immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the lively wine village of Boppard or escape with the lift to lofty heights and marvel at the unique view of the Rhine loop. Return to Koblenz by ferry. Take a seat on the sun deck and enjoy the panorama of the beautiful Rhine landscape with it's wonderful castles.

8. day Koblenz departure

Today your beautiful holiday ends after breakfast in Koblenz in the hotel. train departure possible. If you want to go back to Bad Laasphe or Marburg, we recommend our return transfer service (departure at 9:00 am), 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, simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

The next train station is located in Feudingen. The hotel offers a pick-up service from the train station for a small value (ca. 30 Euro per bus (max. 6 persons), Tuesday is rest day), reservation required. Current schedule information and price information 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 ca. 5,- Euro per day. No reservation possible.

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 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

Just in case the bike chain breaks, 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, health regulations

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Corona travel information:
Before booking your trip, please inform yourself about the measures in place to contain the Corona pandemic.

Information on current decisions of the German Federal Government can be found here:
https://www.bundesregierung.de/corona-these-rules-and-restrictions-apply

Current information on entry requirements to Germany can be found here:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/coronavirus

You can also find more information on our website at:
Corona virus and holiday planning

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 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.

Landgrave 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

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, Marburg

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

Mine "Grube Fortuna" near Oberbiel

During the 20th century, the region was shaped by both the Iron Mining as well as by the relating processing industries. With the termination in 1983 of the iron ore mining in the Fortuna mine, this tradition ended. A tradition that existed since the the Celtic period (2000+ years ago). Today, guests can visit the last classic iron ore mine in Germany in its original condition.

Grube 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

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.

Cathedral

Cable 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 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 Koblenz