Franconia loop

You should start your cycling tour with a tour of the world-famous festival city of Bayreuth, where numerous musical, architectural and horticultural sights await you. The largest city in Upper Franconia is home to many historical buildings and museums.

Welcome to the Main cycle path! The Red Main, which started off as a bubbling stream - by Bayreuth it has developed into a small river and unites with the White Main at Kulmbach - to form the Main River. Follow the river - crossing it several times via roofed wooden bridges and historic sandstone bridges. Along field trails, lined by fruit trees and along the big bends and curves of the Main you pass Mainleus and Mainklein to finally reach the pretty half-timber-framed town of Burgkunstadt.

Today is the last day of swinging into the saddle along the Main cycle path. Today a slightly longer section is ahead of you. A short stop in Lichtenfels, town of many basket makers, and then on to Bad Staffelstein. Banz Monastery is on your right and the Basilica of the Fourteen Holy Helpers is on your left. Stunning views from afar. Colourful fields with old fruit trees alternate with small villages. And at your destination - Bamberg, the old diocese town with imperial cathedral, Little Venice, a historic town hall and many other lovely sights.

First day of cycling, first river cycle route: With the Steigerwald to your right and Franconian Switzerland on your left, you cycle upstream through the valley of the of the Regnitz and enjoy the beautiful landscapes but also impressive weirs. Twice, at the Strullendorf lock and and at the Hirschaid hydroelectric power station, you cross the Main-Danube Canal. On the sandy meadows typical of the Regnitz Valley, you roll into the Huguenot-, university and industrial city of Erlangen.

Through green meadows and shady forests, we continue south first to Nuremberg, the largest city in Franconia. The Regnitz cycle path ends here directly in the old town, which invites you to take a short stroll or a longer break. From Nuremberg you are on the Five Rivers Cycle Route, which runs along the banks of the Pegnitz. Via the picturesque town of Lauf and the Pegnitz meadows, the route continues on flat paths to Hersbruck.

Today you take the Pegnitztal cycle path under your wheels, which leads you first to Velden, then to Neuhaus an der Pegnitz. The river meanders through a narrow valley here, flanked on the right and left by mountains and steep, jagged rocks. You cycle here largely on field or forest paths, which only adds to the charm of the landscape. On hilly paths you cross the Veldensteiner Forst forest with its extensive pine and spruce forests before you roll into Pegnitz.

You cycle on to Schnabelwaid, at the Main and Pegnitz watershed. Stop for a while to visit Craimoosweiher mere, with its amazing variety of flora and fauna. Or, if you prefer, leave it and head off to the left of the pond on your way to Creußen. The source of the Red Main is very close. You soon reach the festival town of Bayreuth and have enough time to explore the many sights here.

After breakfast you start your individual return journey home or extend your stay.