2025
Volkacher Mainschleife

Cycling trip along the Upper Main

Cycling along the Upper Main from Kulmbach to Würzburg

Kulmbach - Bamberg - Würzburg

  • Radweg-Reisen Tour
  • Festival city Bayreuth, Volkach Mainschleife, Marienberg Fortress
  • Daily routes ●●●○○, Altitude profile ●○○○○

Days
8

Ø km per day
50

Have you always wanted to cycle along the Upper Main? Then this cycling trip along the Upper Main from Kulmbach to Würzburg is just right for you! The cycle tour takes you through a wide variety of landscapes and picturesque villages from Bierfranken to Weinfranken. Starting in the brewery town of Kulmbach, you will first explore the Red Main and the festival town of Bayreuth. The next few days you follow the course of the Main River and get to know the thousand-year-old city of Bamberg, among other places. Shortly after Bamberg you leave Bierfranken and cycle through Weinfranken, which is hard to miss due to the beautiful vineyards and cosy wine villages. You cycle via Schweinfurt and Kitzingen to the former royal seat of Würzburg. The Main cycle path is considered first-class not only in terms of the beautiful landscapes and the good quality of the paths. Look forward to delicious Franconian food, regional beer and full-bodied wines. Cycling along the Upper Main is fun – what are you waiting for?

Itinerary

  • Booking code
    BY-MAKW7
  • Accommodation level
    national 3* - level
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Arrival Day
    Daily
  • Travel documents languages
    German, English, Dutch, French
  • Parking information
    Free, unguarded parking spaces in the vicinity of the hotels
    Public parking garage, approx. 9 euros / day
    Hotel parking spaces (available in individual hotels, subject to a charge, details in the travel documents)
    No reservation possible through Radweg-Reisen.
  • Return to Kulmbach
    On your own by train, connections several times a day, 1 - 2 changes, duration approx. 2 - 3 hours.

Day 1: Individual journey to Kulmbach

Nice that you have chosen cycling along the Upper Main! You start your tour in the brewery town Kulmbach in the heart of Upper Franconia. Stroll leisurely through the winding streets of the old town and visit the landmark of the city with the Plassenburg. Interested visit the Kulmbacher Mönchshof, under whose roof are the Bavarian Brewery Museum, the Bavarian Bakery Museum and the German Spice Museum three museums worth seeing.

Kulmbach, Town Hall, Old Town

The Kulmbach town hall

Day 2: Excursion to Bayreuth, approx. 60 km

Today you swing for a trip to the world-famous Festival city Bayreuth for the first time on your bike. You will follow the Red Main River, which rises just south of Bayreuth in the Franconian Alb. Bayreuth is the largest city in Upper Franconia, whose cityscape is characterized by a variety of important buildings, museums, churches and parks. After the extensive city exploration, you cycle back to Kulmbach.

 

Bayreuth, Hermitage

The Hermitage in Bayreuth

Day 3: Kulmbach - Bad Staffelstein, approx. 45 km

After a few kilometers, the two headwaters of the Red and White Main flow together and henceforth form the Main. Through the ever-widening valley, the young Main now makes its way past the towns of Burgkunstadt and Lichtenfels. You would like to get to know one of the most important buildings of the German Baroque? Then you should pay a visit to the pilgrimage church Vierzehnheiligen. The church is located on a hill just before your stage destination Bad Staffelstein. The way there is exhausting, in the Obermain Therme you can recover perfectly from the efforts of the day.

Bad Staffelstein, City

Bad Staffelstein

Day 4: Bad Staffelstein - Bamberg, approx. 35 km

Today you can really enjoy cycling along the Upper Main. Passing colorful meadows with old fruit trees, you will leisurely cycle through the beautiful landscapes of the extensive Main Valley. You will pass small picturesque villages, which all have their own charm. On the way, take the opportunity to take a break and cool off, because the bike path takes you through a dreamlike lake landscape. Your stage destination Bamberg has a lot to offer. Stroll through the winding streets of the old town, visit the imperial cathedral and strengthen yourself in a rustic brewery pub with Franconian specialties and a freshly brewed beer.

Bamberg, Town Hall, Old Town

Bamberg

Day 5: Bamberg - Schweinfurt, approx. 60 km

You leave Bamberg on the banks of the Regnitz River, which soon flows into the Main River. Today you will cross the extensive Hassberge Nature Park, which is not only characterized by almost untouched landscapes, colorful mixed forests and historic vineyards. Due to its numerous castles, palaces and ruins, this is also known as Deutscher Burgenwinkel. Don't forget to take a souvenir photo or two. Leisurely you will reach your stage destination Schweinfurt. Particularly worth seeing is the town hall, which was completed in 1572. This is considered one of the most important secular Renaissance buildings in southern Germany.

Schweinfurt, Main, City

View of Schweinfurt

Day 6: Schweinfurt - Kitzingen, approx. 60 km

You leave Schweinfurt behind and cycle leisurely through beautiful vineyards, romantically situated villages and the famous Volkach Main Loop. Shortly before Volkach is the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten, which houses the famous floating Riemenschneider Madonna. Take an extensive lunch break in Volkach and explore the picturesque old town. You will continue to follow the Mainschleife until you reach Sommerach. Now it is not far to your destination of the day, Kitzingen. Landmarks of the town are the Falterturm with its leaning tower helmet and the Alte Mainbrücke.

Kitzingen, Main, Bridge, City

View of Kitzingen

Day 7: Kitzingen - Würzburg, approx. 35 km

Also today you will follow the Main cycle path in a relaxed manner. The half-timbered town of Ochsenfurt is perfect for taking a lunch break. The historic old town has a largely preserved medieval fortification with numerous towers and city gates. Get back on your bike to cover the last few kilometers. With the old Residenzstadt Würzburg, located in the middle of the May Triangle, you have reached the destination of your bike tour. Climb the Marienberg Fortress, which towers high above the city. The view of the city, the Main River and the region will be the crowning glory of your vacation.

Würzburg, Residence, palace garden, fountain

Würzburg Residence

Day 8: Individual departure or extension

We hope you had fun cycling along the Upper Main. Your trip ends after breakfast. If you do not want to start your journey home yet, we will be happy to extend your stay with an extra night. After all, in Würzburg there are many worth seeing corners that want to be explored.

Würzburg, Marienfestung, Old Main Bridge, Main

Evening atmosphere in Würzburg

Dates / Prices / Services

Season times and prices 2025

Arrival daily from 05.04.2025 to 12.10.2025Early booking discount: -20 €

Bookable dates are displayed in the booking form. The day of arrival determines the season time.

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Season A
05.04.
12.10.
from829 €
Season B
06.04. - 11.04.
21.04. - 25.04.
04.05. - 09.05.
21.09. - 11.10.
from949 €
Season C
12.04. - 20.04.
26.04. - 03.05.
10.05. - 23.05.
22.06. - 04.07.
24.08. - 20.09.
from1079 €
Season D
24.05. - 21.06.
05.07. - 23.08.
from1149 €

All prices per person in a double room.

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Services

  • 7 overnight stays with breakfast, national 3* level
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Würzburg, no limit on th number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Travel documents with maps (1 x per room)
  • Service hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
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Not included is the tourist tax, if payable.

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Children discounts

discount-icon discount-icon-football

From 12 to 17 years

-25%

Applies for accommodation in rooms with 2 full-paying guests.

Due to the more challenging sections, we recommend this tour for young people only in good physical condition.

 

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Additional services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

249 €

All prices are per person

Additional nights

Room
Breakfast
Price
Würzburg / Kulmbach
 DBL

79 €

 SGL

109 €

All prices are per person

The prices for additional nights in other places can be found in the booking form.

 

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Rental bikes

Rental Bikes

Rental Bike
Rental Bike
99 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
269 €
Teenager's bike
Teenager's bike
49 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 8-gear unisex bike hub gears with coaster brake (men's bike from 1.75 m)
  • 10-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel (men's bike from 1.75 m)
  • Electric bike / pedelec with freewheel (minimum age for e-bike rental: 16 years)
  • Youth bike (26 inch)
Fittings

Bag, handlebar bag, odometer, bike lock, air pump, puncture repair kit

Here you can find more information and photos of our rental bikes.

Radweg Reisen 8-gear unisex bike
8-gear unisex bike hub gear with back-pedal brakes
Radweg Reisen 8-gear men´s bike
8-gear men´s bike hub gear with back-pedal brakes
Radweg Reisen  10-speed unisex bike
10-gear unisex bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen 10-gear men´s bike
10-gear men's bike derailleur gears with freewheel
Radweg-Reisen E-bike
Unisex E-bike, 8-gear hub gears, freewheel
Teenager´s bike
26 inch Teenager´s bike

8-gear rental bike

99 €

10-gear rental bike

99 €

E-bike / Pedelec

269 €

Youth bike

49 €

All prices are per person

Route profile

  • Start / Destination
    Kulmbach / Würzburg
  • Length
    approx. 295 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 35 and 60 km, Ø 50 km
    Altitude profile ●○○○○
    between 80 and 330 m, Ø 180 m elevation gain
  • Tour operated by
    Radweg–Reisen
  • Mobility note
    The trip is only conditionally suitable for people with limited mobility.
    Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding your individual needs.

Days
8

Ø km per day
50