Looking to cycle the Romantic Road of Germany?
This is a cycle route I love so much; I have done it twice. Just to be clear, the Romantic Road bicycle route is separate from the famous road route. It runs parallel through the countryside, only meeting the road when going through towns.
The Romantic Road Bicycle Touring Route (known locally as the Romantische Strasse) is a great trip for beginners and experts alike. This is a well-signed 423-kilometer (263-mile) long-distance bike route winding you through the heart of medieval Germany from Würzburg, located near Frankfurt, and ending in Füssen close to the Austrian border.
Use my helpful guide to help plan your ride along the Romantic Road!
Distance – the bike path is 423 km (263 miles) through Germany
Difficulty – mostly on bike paths, farm paths, and quiet roads with a mix of hills and rolling countryside
Who Should Cycle This – bicycle touring, although sections are popular with local cyclists
Note – At Landsberg am Lech, the route splits into two trails, which rejoin later
Germany’s Romantic is separate from the popular road route and has you cycling on bicycle paths and quiet farm lanes for the entire route. It has long been considered one of the great European bike routes. You ride cross-country on farm lanes and then on bike lanes in each town, where you can stop to sightsee or pick up lunch items.
Highlights of Cycling the Romantic Road
Würzburg – Marienberg Fortress, Würzburg Residence
Tauber Valley – wine region, picture book towns
Rothenburg – the best preserved medieval city in Germany, walk the walls
Dinkelsbühl – walk the medieval walls
Nördlingen– your third walled city
Harburg Castle – worth a visit
Donauwörth – a modern, busy city on the Danube River
Landsberg am Lech – many cafes along the river
Schongau – hilltop walled town
Wies – famous church
Schwangau – the famous fairytale castles
Füssen – Bavarian castle
Day 1 Würzburg
Before starting the journey, spend time exploring the Wurzburg Residence, the 18th-century palace with its 40 ornate rooms built by Balthasar Neumann. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a beautiful city that you will want to explore on foot.
I stayed in the Babelfish Hostel across from the railway station because it was convenient, but there are many better options available.
I have completed this route twice and both times had light rain, but as we were using Ortlieb Panniers, our gear stayed nice and dry.
Day 2 Cycling from Wurzburg to Bad Mergentheim
The Romantic Road Bike route starts in Würzburg on the first day by crossing the Main Bridge, dating from 1543, with 12 statues of saints. As the bridge is for pedestrians only, you will have to walk your bicycles across. The best way to start is to take a left turn after crossing and follow the road until reaching the signs indicating the bike route beside the hilltop Marienberg Fortress.
Tauberbischofsteim
I continued along the Romantic Road bike route, with gently up and down hills is the theme for this region. Towns in the Tauber Valley are close together, and the houses in picturesque towns such as Tauberbischofsteim (where we stopped for lunch) make the ride interesting.
The charming Tauber Valley route passes by numerous private flower gardens of the local residents and through several small towns.
Bad Mergentheim
Bad Mergentheim was where I stopped for the night. During our bike tour, I stayed in small hotels such as the Steinmeyer Hotel. I went for a stroll from the medieval heart of the town to the nearby Kurpark, which was a great place to explore, and where I stopped for coffee by the gardens.
Day 3 Cycling the Tauber Bike Route to Rothenburg
Markelsheim
In towns like Markelsheim, all the houses have red tile roofs and flower boxes in the windows. The bike route is designed to weave through the quiet streets. In Markelsheim, there is a stream running down the middle of the main street. Also, expect to see lots of vineyards, and Franconian wines are famous for their quality.
One thing I noticed early was that the bike route always seems to head into the local town, where you can buy lunch or snacks. I have completed this route twice and both times also had to visit bike shops along the way for quick repairs, where they do not speak English, but do wonders in fixing bikes quickly.
Weikersheim
Weikersheim is an interesting town as the route winds through the streets and a medieval archway. Eventually, I arrived at Weikersheim Palace, where on both my visits I just wandered around the gardens. I did enjoy a coffee at the neighboring Deutscherren Stuben Cafe.
The Tauber Bike Route is a local route, part of the Romantic Road route, and runs from Würzburg to Rothenburg.
The section leading up to Rothenburg is on a paved bicycle path but has a series of gentle hills, and during both times I did the trip, there were plenty of other local cyclists to watch, particularly on the descents. But it is a wide-open stretch with great views when on top of the hills.
Day 4 Cycling from Rothenburg to Dinkelsbühl
Rothenburg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is considered to be Germany’s best-preserved medieval walled town, and the Romantic Road bike route goes right through the middle of town, but it can get a little bumpy on the cobblestone streets. Be sure to take a stroll along the city walls and walk around the entire town. It is worth a two-night stop.
Recommended: We took the Night Watchman guided tour (in English), which provides an excellent background on the town from a very entertaining guide.
Day 5 Cycling from Dinkelsbuhl to Nordingen
After leaving Rothenburg, you are in for a treat as you ride to several further walled medieval towns dating from the Middle Ages.
Dinkelsbuhl
There were lots of cycle routes meeting in Rothenburg, and once I ensured we were on the right one, I headed south, riding through quaint towns such as Schillingfurst.
The Romantic Road bike route gives you more medieval experiences as you reach the walled Dinkelsbühl. I took a walk following the path around the outside of the town walls for a very unique view of this historic town. Then wandered through the colorfully painted half-timbered houses on the main street.
Some of our small group visited the cathedral, and then we all headed for dinner in one of the cozy restaurants with stone walls located on a lower level. I stayed at the Hotel-Restaurant Goldenes Lamm.
Day 6 Cycling from Dinkelsbuhl to Nordingen
Nordingen
I continued along the Romantic Road Cycling path, going through the countryside and a forested area. This section had stretches of loose gravel, which made riding on our loaded bicycles a little more difficult. I stopped by a church with a cafe and some picnic tables in Mahihingen.
For us, the weather conditions were not the best as it was raining when we arrived at our third walled town, but it soon stopped. Nördlingen is where I again took a stroll on the intact walls, where I could do an entire circuit of the town, the only German city where you can do this, and a good vantage point to see the historic buildings. Also, I took time to walk up the Cathedral Tower as well and visit a nearby chocolate shop.
The town is located within the large circular depression of the Nordlinger Ries, one of the most studied impact craters where an asteroid hit the Earth. You can learn more at the Ries Krater Museum in town. There is a regional cycle route around this and another crater in the area.
I stayed in the Hotel Goldene Rose close to the center of town.
Day 7 Cycling from Nordlingen to Donauwörth
Harburg Castle
The Romantic Road Bike Route then takes you past Harburg Castle, which is worth seeing, so we always take the short detour up a small hill for a visit. The rooms are impressive, particularly the ballroom.
On both my visits (at lunchtime), there were only a couple of German visitors, so the guide did the tour in English and German, so be sure to ask otherwise you just get a printed sheet. On finishing, we noticed a line-up of German tourists, so we were lucky.
Donauworth
I soon reached Donauwörth, a bustling modern town located on the banks of the blue Danube River, which has a lot of traffic. And a lot of local cycle trails, so be sure you are on the right route. There is a connection with the Danube Bike Route at this point. An overnight stop, and finding accommodation can be difficult in this town.
The Romantic Road bicycle touring route is also part of the Claudia Augusta long-distance cycle track, which starts here and continues along an old trade route through Austria, where it joins the Adige cycle path to the Po River, a distance of 753 km.
Day 8 Cycling from Donauwörth to Friedberg
Friedberg
Departing Donauwörth, I was riding on quiet and flat local roads and forested sections, mainly along the River Lech until reaching the old Bavarian Duke City of Friedberg. This is a divided town with the main section on the top of a hill, while our hotel was at the bottom.
The town sits just to the east of the university town of Augsburg, worth a side trip if you have the time. I stayed at the Hotel am Friedberger See
Day 9 Cycling from Friedberg to Landsberg
Landsberg am Lech
Continuing south, you cycle through a large forest near Augsburg on dedicated cycle paths over flat terrain with a lot of local cyclists visiting the cafes scattered throughout. I got a splendid view of the Lech Valley.
Then it is cross-country again before heading down a steep hill into the medieval city center of Landsberg am Lech, a town with many cafes along its river. Do cycle around town, as many of the homes near the river have interesting architecture.
The Romantic Strasse does split when leaving town, but it doesn’t really matter which of the options you take, as they soon join up again.
Day 10 Cycling from Landsberg to Schongau
Schongau
Our next stop was a surprise at how nice it looked. It was the hilltop and walled small town of Schongau, well worth a walk around the historic town center. Afterward, we stopped for a huge ice cream sundae, and we felt we deserved it.
I had problems booking accommodation in this small town but was able to get rooms at the very nice Hotel Holl, although it is a short bike ride from the center of town.
Day 11 Cycling from Schongau to Schwangau
After departing Schongau on a paved bike trail, you soon enter a very scenic area of chalet-type houses, quiet roads, and cows wandering the fields, and you can expect some short climbs. Although hilly, you have some spectacular views of the Alps in the distance.
Wies
At Wies, there is a huge church worth a stop as the Romantic Road bike route goes right by the front door, although the goats kept wanting to get in our panniers. In the town of Halblech, there was a festival that blocked our route, so we had to walk our bicycles through the area. We debated about stopping in the beer garden, but decided to press on.
Days 12 & 13 Schwangau
As the foothills of the Alps get closer on the long-distance cycle tour, we can see the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which was copied by Walt Disney for his theme parks. King Ludwig II of Bavaria built two castles here in Schwangau in the 1800s, definitely worth visiting and a highlight of your journey.
There are lots of hotels in this popular town, but I stayed at the homey Landgasthof Zur Post.
Cycle over to the ticket office early to purchase your admission tickets for the English-language tours of King Ludwig’s fairytale castles before the tourist buses arrive from Munich, and it gets busy.
You will want to visit the royal residence of Hohenschwangau and the nearby castle of Neuschwanstein in that order for English-speaking visitors. They will sell you the tickets so you have enough time to see the first castle, walk down the hill, and up the other side to see the second.
Also, while in Schwangau, while sitting in a roadside café, you can watch the parade of cows returning from the fields each evening to their barns in the middle of town, while on the road, traffic patiently waits.
Day 14 Cycling from Schwangau to Fussen
Fussen
The end of the tour from Schwangau to Füssen is along a bit of a lake and the Lech River, with the Alps in the background, and is only a few kilometers long, ending at the town hall. While here, be sure to also see a lesser-known Bavarian castle located here. There is a guided Füssen walking tour of the Old Town available.
Romantic Road Bicycle Touring Route Map
Romantic Road Cycle Route Accommodation
If using hotels or Bed & Breakfasts, make reservations in advance for Friday and Saturday nights, as many local cyclists take advantage of special weekend train rates to explore their own country. We experienced difficulty at times. There are campgrounds along the route for bike camping.
VRBO – a variety of accommodation options available along the Romantic Road
Booking.com – the world’s largest accommodation booking platform
Expedia – for hotel choices along the route
All the hotels I stayed at could accommodate our bicycles.
Würzburg – the Babelfish Hostel, but bike storage is difficult but doable.
Bad Mergentheim – the hotel I stayed in is no longer in business
Rothenburg – I have been several times, last staying at the Gaestehaus Rothenburg
Dinkelsbühl – I stayed in the Hotel-Restaurant Goldenes Lamm and recommend it
Nordingen – The Hotel Goldene Rose has a great location
Donauwörth – I had nothing booked and difficulty finding accommodation, until the tourist board recommended a place, so book in advance
Friedberg – Hotel am Friedberger See is located on the edge of town, but I like this place
Landsberg am Lech – book in advance as it can be difficult to find accommodation in the center of town
Schongau – Again, difficulty finding accommodation, but I had booked the Hotel Holl, which is a short bike ride from the center of town but is a nice enough hotel
Schwangau – I stayed at the Landgasthof Zur Post
Additional Resources for Your Cycling Journey
Trip.com – to arrange trains to and from the route
Busbud – if you prefer to use a bus to get to the route
Romantic Road tour guide – this book, while based on the driving route it has a lot of information useful for cyclists.
Travel Insurance – from Safety Wing
FAQs: Romantic Road Cycle Route
Can you bike the Romantic Road?
Yes, you can, but it is a separate but parallel route, not on the road itself. It is a signed cycle route along farm roads, quiet streets, and local bike paths.
Where does the Romantic Road start and finish?
The Romantic Road cycle route starts next to the Marienberg Fortresses in Würzburg and finishes at the city hall in Füssen. Get to Wurzburg by train from Frankfurt, and there is also a train service from Fussen.
How long does it take to cycle the Romantic Road?
It takes about 10 to 14 days to cycle the 423 km route, depending on how many stops you make.
How long is the Romantic Road Cycle Route?
The cycle route is 423 km, slightly different than the popular nearby road route.
In which direction should you cycle the Romantic Road?
It is best to cycle from north to south, as you can see the impressive Alps in the distance for several days as you approach them.
What is the best time to cycle the Romantic Road?
The summer months can be busy, so it is best to book from mid-May/June or September/October. When visiting in the fall, expect a lot of local festivals.
Want more information on Bike Touring Germany?
If you’re heading to go cycle touring in Germany and want more information, be sure to read some of our other posts:
- Danube Bike Route – connects in Donauwörth and continues to Passau, Vienna, Budapest, and the Black Sea
- Neckar Valley Cycle Route – a regional route connection to this route, which heads to Heidelberg and the Rhine River
- Rhine Cycle Route – a popular nearby cycling route connected by regional bike trails
- Bodensee to Königsee Bike route – across southern Bavaria, connects with the Romantic Road
- European cycle vacation in other nearby countries
Wrap-up: Romantic Road Bicycle Touring Route
Take a Romantic Road bicycle touring map, for although the route is entirely signed, many local and regional routes intersect, and it can be confusing at times, and you can make wrong turns as our group did. This guide is in German, but the maps are still easy to follow.
The German Tourist Office has a cycling guide that can help with your planning.
This trip takes about a week, although we spent extra nights in Rothenburg and Schwangau to see the castles. What I love about the Romantic Road Bicycle Route is the variety, with the wine region in the north, fairy tale castles, walled towns, historic buildings, countryside rides, and impressive mountains.
