The journey begins in Tauberbischofsheim on the Romantic Road and the "Madonnenländle", whose name becomes clear once you arrive by bike at the famous Catholic pilgrimage site of Walldürn. The route then disappears into the lush nature of the shady Odenwald. Zwingenberg is home to one of the best-preserved castles in Germany and the legendary Wolf Gorge, which is said to have inspired Carl-Maria von Weber to write his "Freischütz". At the foot of countless castles, the route meanders along the Neckar to Heidelberg, which is well worth a visit. You should at least stop for a coffee here. The route then heads out into the cultural landscape of the Rhine plain to the old imperial city of Speyer with its world-famous cathedral.
Character
The route is 175 km long and covers around 1600 metres in altitude. It is mainly asphalted and runs along cycle paths and forest tracks or quiet side roads. From Tauberbischofsheim to Mosbach, there are some stamina-sapping climbs.
Route
Tauberbischofsheim - Walldürn - Buchen - Mosbach - Eberbach - Hirschhorn - Neckarsteinach - Neckargemünd - Heidelberg - Leimen - Walldorf - Speyer The cycle route is signposted throughout with the orange-coloured "Odenwald-Madonnen-Radweg" logo.
Tour combinations
Good connections to the Rhine Cycle Route, Neckar Cycle Route, Lovely Tauber Valley, Franconian Cycle Eight and Romantic Road, among others
Arrival/means of transport
Arrival and departure by train to Lauda (8 km from Tauberbischofsheim) and from Speyer, DB cyclists' hotline on 0180 6 99 66 33. www.bahn.de
A railway line runs alongside the path in the Neckar valley.
Cycle-friendly accommodation
Hotel St Michael in Tauberbischofsheim, www.hotel-stmichael.com
Hotel Zum Karpfen in Eberbach, www.hotel-karpfen.com
Hotel Regina in Heidelberg, www.hotel-regina.de
Hotel Domhof in Speyer, www.domhof.de
Maps & Literature
Kompass map set "Bergstraße-Odenwald - Neckartal" 1:50,000 for 10 euros.
Publicpress cycling map "Kraichgau - Neckar - Odenwald" 1:100,000 for 4.95 euros.
Information (general)
Tourist information on the regions at www.tourismus-bw.de and
www.tourismus-odenwald.de and www.tg-odenwald.de
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 5/2015. You can read the entire issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play) or order the issue in the DK shop.
