Werra: classic, Meiningen – Hann. Münden

Dumplings, potash and culture

From the heights of the Rennsteig the picturesque Werra makes it’s way, jammed between the Rhone and the Thuringian forest. On its way to Hann. Münden, where it unites with the Fulda to form the Weser, the Werra flows past picturesque half-timbered towns, health resorts, residence- and famous culture cities. On 320 km of fully developed bike paths with little ascent as well as brilliant signposting, you can entirely enjoy cycling and culture.

1. day Meiningen arrival

Your journey starts in the historical theatre town of Meiningen (arrival possible by train/parking garage close to the hotel/rental bike at hotel). The lovingly restored old town, Castle Elisabethenburg and many museums and theaters expect you!

2. day Meiningen - Bad Salzungen 43 km

After the cycling section today, you see Wasungen with its half-timbered town surrounded by dam walls and you still have enough time to relax in the health resort Bad Salzungen. Feel the vitalising effect of the unique Celtic bath (the only one in Germany). In the evening you can go and discover the lovely Old Town.

3. day Bad Salzungen - Dankmarshausen 40 km

Today you cycle further between the southern slopes of the Thuringian forest and the impressive round end of the Rhone. You will reach Heringen quickly, which is famous for the "Monte Kali", the widely visible rock salt heap.

4. day Dankmarshausen - Eisenach 37 km

Many lakes and nature preserves will be on your way along the winding Werra and after a short ride you will reach Eisenach. Take your time for the Wartburg and visit the territory of the famous sons of the town, for example in the house of Luther or Bach.

5. day Eisenach - Eschwege 58 km

It is quite lovely how the river meanders through a splendid low mountain landscape. You pass potash cliffs directly next to you and cross medieval villages and towns. In Creuzburg and Treffurt you should walk through the romantic alleys of the Old Town. Eschwege displays a special half-timbered charm, and is your accommodation for today.

6. day Eschwege - Hann. Münden 59 km

Art along the bike lane: sculptures of well-known artists are lined up next to the bank in the Werra-Meißner-region. Have a break in the brine bath of Bad Soden-Allendorf. You cycle through the "land of cherries" around Witzenhausen to Hann. Münden. Hann. Münden offers a closed medieval townscape and aristocratic castle. You may finish your day with a stroll through the town.

7. day Hann. Münden departure

After breakfast your journey along the Werra ends in Hann. Münden. If you want to, you can prolong your trip along the Weser or Fulda.

Worth knowing about the Werra bike trail

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

Arrival by train

Meiningen 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. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: 

Train schedule information

Parking facilities at the hotel

Our partner hotels in Meiningen always provide parking possibilities. Sometimes even free, for the entire duration of your bike trip. There are always plenty of parking spots available, no pre-reservation is necessary. 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

Most of the time you cycle on well-paved like trails or asphalted rural roads and small side roads. Only a few short sections you have to cycle on dirt roads but in most cases it is possible to avoid thoses sections by cycling another way around. The entire route is largely flat and is well signposted. Further information can be found at:

The Werra - bike trial

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 of the journey

Saturdays at 9am there is the possibility to transfer back to Meiningen with a small bus (with bike trailer). Arrival at 12.00pm. The driver comes to pick you up at your hotel and has much room for you, your luggage and where required your own bicycle. The bus takes you back to your first hotel, thus ensuring a perfect return service without transfer and the hassle of hauling luggage.

Tourist tax

A possibly resulting tourist tax is not part of the travel price and therefor it is payable locally at the hotel.

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, 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.

Meiningen

Throughout the city, numerous charming half-timbered houses delight the traveler's curious eyes. Particularly beautiful are: Schlundhaus of 1906 in Schlundgasse 2 (reconstruction of the cloister of 1597), Büchnersches rear house from 1596 in the Georgstraße 20, Pfaffenrothsches house from the time around 1600 in the Ernestinerstraße 14 and the Baumbach house from 1779 in the Burggasse 22.

Meiningen

Steam locomotive, Meiningen

If you would like to schedule an additional day at the beginning or at the end of the trip (guided tours only Saturday) and are interested in historical technology, you will have to pay for it here.

Founded on March 2, 1914, the Meiningen steam locomotive is now a fully functional repair facility for all types of steam locomotives of all types of track and, in the meantime, of nostalgic passenger trains and freight cars on the market for maintenance services Rail vehicles established ..

Steam locomotive Meinigen

Old town Wasungen

The historical city center of Wasungen remained essentially unchanged in its original topography for centuries. The old town is dominated by stately aristocratic buildings and proud burgher houses. Numerous buildings of modern times are also evidence of tradition. They show typical old forms and elements "Franconian-Hennbergian" half-timbered construction.

Wasungen

Gradierwerk Salzungen

In 1590 the first grading houses were built in Bad Salzungen. They significantly increased their earnings. There were 24 grades on either side of the Werra, some of which were about 400 m long and 8 m high. The salt mist that forms during the precipitation has a healing effect in respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis.

The Gradierwerk is not only an architecturally unique building, but offers a variety of different inhalation possibilities, using the acknowledged natural remedies, the Bad Salzunger brine (1% to 27%). The facility is unique among all the baths in Germany and Europe.

Gradierwerk Salzungen

Mine Merkers

As part of a guided tour, you can get to know the fascinating world of miners. The conveyor carries you to a depth of 500 meters. At the bottom, you will find a seemingly endless labyrinth of stretches and excavation chambers, which only reveals the size of the mine field. On site, you can learn about the history, technology and development of potash mining. See the largest paddle-wheel excavator in the world and explore the legendary Reichsbank treasure in the historic Gold Room. The highlight of the guided tour in 800 meters depth is the crystal grotto with sparkling salt crystals of a world-wide size.

Mine Merkers

Museum Heringen

With many original machines, equipment, models, photos, films and computer animations, the museum allows a trip through more than 100 years of pottery in the Werra Valley. The "Monte Kali", Heringer's landmark, is one of the most unusual mountains in Germany , Which owes its origins to the potash mining industry, which has shaped the region for over 100 years.

Museum Heringen

Wartburg, Eisenach

The Wartburg near Eisenach was founded by Ludwig the Springer after the legend in 1067 and has always been a place of great events with significance for German history. It is one of the most historically interesting castles in Germany and was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1999.

Wartburg Eisenach

Old town Eschwege

Eschwege's half-timbered buildings are highly interesting, as they are situated in a stylistic transitional area between the Franconian, Lower Saxon and Thuringian wood architecture, and the influences of all these styles have been condensed into a landscape-typical and unmistakable architecture since the middle of the 17th century.

Old town Eschwege

Border museum Schifflersgrund

The border museum is located in the original place, where until 1989 the German-German border system ran. The construction of the former border security systems can be inspected, as well as numerous military vehicles, but also helicopters, which have been used on both sides at border control. A container serves as a cinema here is among other things. A movie about the wall. Individual examinations are also reported by means of escape attempts.

Border museum Schifflersgrund

Hann. Münden

On the market square in the middle of the historical town center with about 700 half-timbered houses is one of the most beautiful representative buildings of the Weserrenaissance: the Münden town hall. Since the Middle Ages, the local government has been the seat of the local authority over the community, and has retained this function to this day. The town hall was rebuilt in the years 1603 to 1618 and received its distinctive jewelery façade today. The core is a 14th-century Gothic hall. On the north side of the town hall there is a clock play every day at 12.00, 15.00 and 17.00 clock, whose circumnavigation shows a scene from the life of the world famous Dr. Johann Andreas Eisenbart.

Hann. Münden