The route
The 317-kilometre Werratal cycle path leads from Neuhaus am Rennweg in the Thuringian Forest to Hann. Münden in Hesse, where the Werra joins the Fulda to form the Weser. The well-signposted route leads between the Rhön and Thuringian Forest through the Werra Valley, which was once divided by the inner-German border. In addition to the picturesque forest passages, the picturesque half-timbered towns, stately castles and pretty saltwater spas are among the highlights of the tour.
Journey
Coming by car from the south via the A70 motorway to Bamberg, via the B4 to Coburg, then via the A73 towards Erfurt to the Eisfeld Nord exit, then follow the signs to Neuhaus am Rennweg (26 km). From the north, take the A4 motorway to the Erfurter Kreuz junction, then the A71 towards Meiningen/Schweinfurt to the Ilmenau Ost exit, then via Gräfenau-Angstedt, Pennewitz, Herschdorf, Großbreitenbach and Katzhütte to Neuhaus am Rennweg. By train via Eisenach to Neuhaus am Rennweg. Info under http://www.bahn.de . Return journey from Hann. Münden station at the end of the tour.
Information
Werratal-Touristik e. V.Markt 9, D-99817 Eisenach, Tel. 03691/79230, Fax 03691/792320, mailto:info@werratal.de
Accommodation
Located directly on the Werratal cycle path: Wilhelmsglücksbrunn Abbey Estate (with restaurant, garden restaurant and adjoining organic farm), D-99831 Creuzburg, Tel. 036926/7100320 or 7100325, Fax 7100337, mailto:gaestehaus.saline@diakonia-ev.de . Bed and breakfast in a double room costs from 16 euros per person.
Also idyllically situated on the Werratal cycle path: Werratal HotelD-34346 Hann. Münden (Laubach district), Tel. 05541/9980, Fax 998-140, mailto:info@werrahotel.de . Accommodation in a double room costs from 34.50 euros per person including breakfast.
Two minutes from the cycle path and the historic town centre: Hotel StadthalleWiesenstraße 9, D-37269 Eschwege, Tel. 05651/74430, Fax 744433, mailto:info@stadthalle-eschwege.de . Overnight stays in a double room cost from 36.50 euros per person including breakfast.
Worth seeing
The former inner-German border strip - the Green Belt - is an oasis for rare animal and plant species, information at http://www.gruenesband.info .
Special Werra information at http://www.lebendige-werra.de
In the Schifflersgrund border museum in Asbach-Sickenberg (near Bad Sooden-Allendorf) you can learn about the former inner-German border from the observation tower, border security installations, helicopters etc. Tel. 036087/98409, http://www.grenzmuseum.de
From Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where Martin Luther once lived, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic view. The medieval walls (with museum, Luther parlour, pompous Palas banqueting hall and rustic castle tavern) are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tel. 03691/2500, http://www.wartburg-eisenach.de
Literature/Maps
Bikeline "Werratal-Radweg - Von den Quellen nach Hann. Münden", Verlag Esterbauer, with precise route descriptions and detailed maps at a scale of 1:50,000, 80 pages, 9.90 euros.
