1st Hallertau hop tour: on the trail of hops
The world's largest hop-growing region, an essential ingredient in beer, is located in the Hallertau in Bavaria. In the region, which is centrally located between Munich, Ingolstadt, Regensburg and Landshut, hops are grown on around 17,000 hectares. The cycle route stretches for around 170 kilometres along the Ilm and Abens river valleys and through the hilly landscape of the Hallertau. You cycle practically through the hop gardens with hop vines up to seven metres high and can enjoy the aromatic scent of the hop cones, especially during the harvest in late summer. The signposted circular route leads from Abensberg in the north west to Aufham in the south and east back to the starting point. Cyclists can also choose a different starting point or change or shorten the route via five cross-connections ("Spangen"). All routes offer picturesque landscapes, traditional villages with typical farmhouses, sweeping views and culinary delights.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: via the A9 and/or A93 motorways
By train: Railway stations in Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, Rohrbach, Neustadt an der Donau, Abensberg, Reichertshausen (close to the tour)
Brewery/beer highlights
Müllerbräu brewery Pfaffenhofen, Spitzer inn (Au), Paulus inn (Neustadt)
Worth seeing
Parish Church of St Martin, Pilgrimage Church of Our Lady (Klausenkirche, both Pfeffenhausen), Furth Monastery
Bike service
Repairs: www.fahrradreparatur.org/au-hallertau
E-bike hire: https://biere-des-hopfenlands.com/sanfter-tourismus/e-bike-verleih
Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation to suit every taste at www.hopfenland-hallertau.de/touren/hallertauer-hopfentour-bf751ac0b2
General information
You can find useful information about the region at www.hopfenland-hallertau.de
2nd brewery and beer cellar tour: In the heart of Franconian beer country
Upper Franconia is considered THE beer region in Germany and is one of the largest in the world. In Bamberg - famous for its smoked beer specialities from the Spezial and Schlenkerla breweries - and its surroundings, the heart of the ancient Franconian beer culture beats. On this route, cyclists can experience the Franconian beer tradition on predominantly tarmac paths and roads with little traffic. More than 80 private breweries along the route as well as typical Franconian beer cellars invite you to stop off and enjoy culinary delights as well as insights into beer production and the importance of beer. The route leads from Bamberg through the eastern Steigerwald, the Main and Regnitz valleys and their tributary valleys southwards to Forchheim and back via Franconian Switzerland and the town of Buttenheim. It is designed as a multi-day tour with a main route of around 200 kilometres, but can be shortened by cross-connections and can also be started at different points.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: To Bamberg via the A 73 motorway from Nuremberg or the A 70 (Schweinfurt-Bayreuth)
By train: By regional transport (train/bus) to Bamberg and other towns on the route such as Forchheim or Buttenheim
Brewery and beer highlights
- Huge selection: including speciality cellars.
- Wilde Rose Bräu-Keller (both Bamberg),
- Brewery-Gasthof Kundmüller (Weiher),
- Schrauderkeller (Pettstadt),
- Kaiser Brewery (Grassmannsdorf)
Worth seeing
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Bamberg with Franconian Brewery Museum,
- Forchheim with old town centre,
- Kellerwald forest and imperial palace,
- Half-timbered fountain in Schnaid,
- Levi-Strauss Museum in Buttenheim,
- Bamberger Land Farmers' Museum in Frensdorf,
- Franconian Street of Sculptures and much more.
Bike service
Lending and partial repair options can be found at www.frankentourismus.de/vermietstationenunder "Franconian Switzerland"
An overview of charging stations can be found at www.frankentourismus.de/e-bike/ladestationenunder "Franconian Switzerland"
Accommodation
A selection of accommodation options is available from the tourist office: www.frankentourismus.de/reisefuehrer/reiseplanung
www.fraenkische-schweiz.com/buchen
General information
Further travel information at www.fraenkische-schweiz.com, www.frankentourismus.de
An information brochure about the trail can be downloaded from www.oberfranken.de/de under "Projects", "Active region"
3. monasteries, castles, beer enjoyment (Chiemgau): Tour with Alpine panorama
The circular route is suitable for both a half-day and a leisurely day trip, where you can enjoy the variety of Bavarian beer in beer gardens and breweries. The route leads through the northern Chiemgau with its marvellous Alpine panorama. The starting point is the Baumburg monastery brewery in Altenmarkt an der Alz, where the collegiate church of St Margareta ("Rococo pearl of the Chiemgau") is enthroned on the steep slope of the Klosterberg. The route heads north past Trostberg with its numerous beer gardens and on to the Weissbräu Schwendl brewery. You then cycle through Reit and Oberfeldkirchen and finally reach Schnaitsee via Biburg, Emertsham and Oed. The route continues past the Weitsee lake to Gallertsham. From there, the route continues to Obing with the Obinger See lake and continues through the Seeoner Seen nature reserve, leads to Seeon and past the small Eglsee lake back to Altenmarkt.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: A8 Munich-Salzburg, exits e.g. Bernau, Übersee, Grabenstätt, Bergen, Siegsdorf Ost
By train: Well connected (Südostbayernbahn, Bavarian regional railway), places on the route such as Altenmarkt easily accessible
Brewery and beer highlights
- Baumburg monastery brewery and Bräustüberl,
- Bräustüberl Baderbräu Schnaitsee,
- Pfaubräu brewery inn (Trostberg),
- Camba Bavaria brewery (Seeon),
- Weissbräu Schwendl (Tacherting), Schlossbrauerei Stein (in Stein an der Traun 2 km south of Altenmarkt)
Worth seeing
- Collegiate church of St Margareta (Baumburg),
- Lake Obing,
- Seeon Monastery,
- Steiner cave castle
Bike service
Workshops and hire can be found on the page https://chiemgausbeste.de, under "Wheel"
Accommodation
ADFC-certified and cycle-friendly accommodation can be found on the website of the tourism association: www.chiemsee-chiemgau.info/radunterkuenfte
General information
You can find out more about the tour and the region at www.chiemsee-chiemgau.info/brauereitour-1-kloester-burgen-biergenuss
4th beer bike tour "Beer & Cuisine" in the hills of the Mühlviertel (Austria)
At around 3,000 square kilometres, the Mühlviertel is the second largest district in the north-eastern province of Upper Austria - and with 173 hectares of hop-growing land, it is the largest hop region in the country. Around 40 breweries, which offer a wide range of beers from Zwickel and Pilsener to Bock beer and speciality beers, make the region a paradise for beer lovers. The "Braucommune" in the medieval town of Freistadt, first mentioned in a document in 1770, is particularly well-known. However, the "beer bike tour" suggested here does not lead directly to Freistadt, but starts and ends in Pregarten. It is a very challenging tour in the southern part of the region, which includes numerous metres in altitude. It can be completed in four to six days or in stages. Either way: a real challenge! The route leads along the hop fields, which rise up in summer, through the gentle hilly landscape with its green meadows, dense forests, small streams and rivers as well as spectacular rock formations. Along the way, you pass through idyllic villages such as Neumarkt im Mühlkreis, Ried in der Riedmark, Au an der Donau, Schönau im Mühlkreis, Gutau and Kefermarkt. Almost everywhere there are opportunities to enjoy the regional beer culture together with typical dishes from the area, such as at the Bierbuschenschank Eder-Bräu in Kefermarkt or at the Wirt auf da Fürling in Gutau. A detour to Freistadt before or after the tour is highly recommended.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: In Austria, take the A1 and A7 motorways (toll roads) and the S10 motorway to Freistadt
By train: From Munich via Linz by bus to Freistadt or Pregraten, from there on to Freistadt by EC
Brewery and beer highlights
- Ried in der Riedmark: Buchholzer Bräu private brewery,
- Schwertberg: Private brewery Schwertberger Bräu,
- Au an der Donau: donAu Stand'l - From Märzen to Bock,
- Gutau: Wirt auf da Fürling with home-brewed beer.
- Tragwein: The Beer Buddies,
- Kefermarkt: Schlossbrauerei Weinberg - 1st Upper Austrian pub brewery, Bierbuschenschank Eder Bräu
Worth seeing
- Including the Kormast ruins and the Teufelskirche rock in Neumarkt,
- Grünau Castle and Marbach Castle in Ried in der Riedmark,
- Schoss Weinberg Kefermarkt,
- Prandegg castle ruins in Schönau
Cycling service and accommodation
The official Mühlviertel website provides general information as well as tour tips and an overview of accommodation options in the region, www.muehlviertel.at, "Cycling & e-biking", "Accommodation for cyclists"
5th beer tour on the Saale (Franconia): Discover beer history by bike
The small Upper Franconian town of Hof an der Saale lies 500 metres above sea level, nestled between the Fichtelgebirge and Franconian Forest. The Meinel-Bräu brewery has been based there since 1731. It offers a wide range of beers, from Pils to Helles and Weizen, and also runs a pub. There are two more breweries on this cycle route, which leads from Hof southwards to Fattigau and back again. In Hof, the route runs through the Theresienstein city park, where you have to push your bike, and continues behind the city onto the Saale cycle path. As an alternative to cycling along the river, you can also take the route via the Untreusee lake, which also leads via Großkotzau to Fattigau. There, it is worth stopping at the privately owned Stelzer Castle Brewery, whose history dates back to 1353. This brewery also offers a variety of beers, including seasonal beers such as the Fest-Bier (from March to May) and the Schloss Bock (from October to March).
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: A9 from the south and north, A70/A9 from the west, A72 from the east
By train: ICE to Nuremberg or Bamberg, regional train to Hof or (from the east) directly by RB to Bamberg
Brewery and beer highlights
- Hof: Meinel-Bräu brewery.
- Meinels Bas restaurant.
- Old German beer parlour,
- Scherdel beer,
- Restaurant zum Kreuzstein,
- Stelzer Castle Brewery
Worth seeing
- Town hall tower Hof,
- almost completely preserved Biedermeier town,
- Bürgerpark Theresienstein.
- Untreusee
Bike service
Rental, service and charging stations can be found on the official website
www.frankenwald-tourismus.de/draussen/radfahren/verleih-service-ladestationen, filter: "Hof"
Accommodation
A selection of accommodation options in and around Hof can be found at www.hof.de/leben-erleben/uebernachten-in-hof
General information
Further useful travel information for Hof and the region can be found on the websites www.franken-bierland.de and www.hof.de
6. 3-B-Tour: Castle - Beer - Bratwurst (Franconian Forest)
The Franconian Forest stretches across around 1,200 square kilometres in north-eastern Franconia, from the River Main to the Green Belt on the former German-German border between the towns of Kronach, Kulmbach and Hof. Beer brewing has a long tradition in Kulmbach in particular. This is reflected in the annual beer week and the Bavarian Brewery Museum. The Mönchshof brewery, which is part of the Kulmbach brewery founded in the middle of the 19th century, offers over 30 types of beer, including the strong beer EKU 28. The Kulmbacher Kommunbräu e.G. co-operative, founded in 1994, presents a new type of beer every month alongside the pale "Bernstein". The sporty, but also family-friendly cycle tour leads from the historic old town on cycle paths and low-traffic roads into the surrounding countryside. The route crosses mountain, valley and meadow landscapes with idyllic locations that offer numerous places to stop and enjoy the variety of beers and regional specialities. The route is signposted as KU 8.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: A9, A70, A72, A73
By train: If necessary via ICE hub stations Lichtenfels or Coburg, there are train and bus lines in the region
Brewery and beer highlights
- Brewery pub Zum Mönchshof-Bräuhaus.
- Kulmbacher Kommunbräu
Worth seeing
- Kulmbach: Plassenburg with several museums,
- Bavarian Brewery Museum in the Mönchshofbräu;
- Wernstein: Castle complex of the von Künßberg family;
- Mainaue recreation area
Bike service
Rental, service and charging stations can be found on the official website www.frankenwald-tourismus.de/draussen/radfahren/verleih-service-ladestationen
Accommodation
An overview of cyclist-friendly, Bed+Bike-certified accommodation can be found on the website www.frankenwald-tourismus.de/uebernachten/unsere-gastgeber/bett-bike-gastgeber
Info
General travel information can be found on the official website of the tourist office www.frankenwald-tourismus.de
7th Beer Cycle Route Höxter District (Westphalia)
The district of Höxter in the east of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Teutoburg Forest is characterised by river landscapes, deciduous forests, rolling hills, monasteries and historic towns such as Höxter and Warburg. It is one of the few districts north of the Main line with three active breweries: the Warburg Brewery in the Warburg Kuhlemühle, the Rheder Castle Brewery between the castle park and the Weidenpalais and the brewery of the Bürgerbrauzunft in Nieheim. In addition to pilsner, these breweries also offer a variety of other beers. The route leads from Warburg into the Warburger Börde with a view of the 343 metre high Desenberg. The route continues through the lush Börde landscape, past Schweckhausen moated castle into the Nethe valley and to Rheder Castle Brewery. The tour leads along the Nethe to Brakel and via Gut Holzhausen to Nieheim. In the summer months, the beer gardens of the breweries in Rheder and Warburg invite you to linger.
GPS data
You can find the GPS data for the tour on the DK tour portal:
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Arrival
By car: A44 motorway exit Warburg. Follow the signs to Warburg city centre
By train: Warburg is served by regional trains. Information also via www.fahr-mit.de
Brewery and beer highlights
- Warburg brewery Kohlschein with beer garden Kuhlemühle (open Fri.-Sun.),
- Gasthaus zur Alm (Warburg),
- Rheder Castle Brewery with beer garden,
- Brewery of the Bürgerbrauzunft in Nieheim
Worth seeing
- Museum im Stern (Warburg),
- Nieheim Beer Museum,
- Rheder Castle with willow palace,
- Braker Bergland
Bike service
Mobilstation Brakel (Am Markt 12) with bicycle garage and four e-bikes for hire (via www.mobilstation-brake.bike-and-park.de), Brakel charging station (Am Markt 5)
Accommodation and general information
On the official websites www.teutoburgerwald.de/reiseplanung/uebernachtung and https://warburg-touristik.de/uebernachten/hotels-und-gasthoefe provides a selection of accommodation options and other useful travel information
