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The Erfurt Cathedral Square

Weimar based in one hotel

Cycling through Historic Cultural Gems

7 Days / 6 Nights
Medium
The Erfurt Cathedral Square

Experience the enchanting beauty of Weimar and its surroundings on our seven-day cycling tour. Traverse rolling hills, blooming meadows, lush forests, and charming villages throughout your journey. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the Thuringian Basin as you visit historic castles, gardens, and iconic sites like the Goethe National Museum. Indulge in a delightful fusion of nature and culture, enhanced by warm local hospitality and delectable culinary offerings.

Weimar, known as the "thousand-year-old city of the classics," boasts a captivating history. Numerous cultural and historical treasures, as well as charming local spots, await you. Your initial outing will lead you along the Ilm Cycle Path through Weimarer Land. You'll explore the picturesque bell town of Apolda and admire majestic castles along the way. The following day, you'll delve into the world of painter Lyonel Feininger, visiting sites connected to his life and art in Weimar and its neighboring villages.

Day 4 brings a visit to the state capital of Thuringia. Following a leisurely cycling route, you'll pedal over the Krämerbrücke bridge into the charming old town of Erfurt, home to landmarks like St. Mary's Cathedral and the town hall. Another excursion leads you through the picturesque Ilm valley, where you'll explore Bad Berka, pass by the Munich manor, and admire the two castles of Kranichfeld. The final loop tour guides you to the Ettersberg, offering a splendid view, and to the Buchenwald memorial.

  • Cultural enjoyment in Weimar: The city was once the center of German classicism and home to Goethe and Schiller. Visiting Weimar is worthwhile to discover its history, find inspiration in its unique museums and galleries, admire the magnificent palaces and gardens, and experience the city's vibrant cultural scene.
  • Half-timbered housing meets contemporary architecture in Erfurt: Erfurt is a city that offers a captivating blend of history, culture, and distinctive charm. Explore the impeccably preserved medieval old town with its remarkable landmarks, including the impressive Krämerbrücke bridge, Erfurt Cathedral, and the magnificent town hall.
  • The Ilm valley castles: You'll certainly find no shortage of castles and palaces around Weimar. Kranichfeld is home to two of them, the Oberburg and the Niederburg, also known as Wachsenburg and Brandenburg. The upper castle sits grandly on a mountain spur, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. The lower castle, situated a bit lower down, is equally fascinating with its rich history and remarkable architecture.

Well-maintained cycling paths guide you through the picturesque Weimarer Land. The route can be hilly at times, so it's advisable to either have a good level of fitness or perhaps think about an e-bike as an alternative.

The land of poets and thinkers - and cyclists! Cycling in Germany is always a great idea because the Federal Republic is incredibly diverse. On our page about the most beautiful travel regions in Germany, we have compiled a lot of information for you.

itinerary at a glance

In addition to the culturally rich city of Weimar, the bell town of Apolda and the state capital of Erfurt are certainly deserving of a visit. Take a dip in the Kneipp pool near Bad Berka and enjoy a view of the Thuringian Basin from the Ettersberg.

Weimar offers a worldwide unique historic tradition. Museums, memorial places, churches and an interesting history are reminding on the life of many well-known persons. The thousand-year-old city knows many big names as for example Goethe, Schiller, Herder, Wieland, Lucas Cranch, Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Liszt. Today Weimar is a pulsating centre of art and science. Arrive early – Weimar is awaiting you with historic and culinary inner city.

Start your bike tour with a scenic stage through the „Weimarer Land“: you leave Weimar in a northerly direction on the Ilm bike path. There is always the opportunity to get off your bike and take a break in a shady park or a romantic castle mooring. Plan a little more time in the „Bell and Art City“ Apolda.

Along the tracks of painter Feininger this loop tour leads you through Weimar and into Weimarer Land. The tour starts in Geschwister Scholl road in Weimar at the University. Feininger teached here from 1919 – 1925. In Bauhausstraße 7a you can visit the atelier of this artist. Next stop is house nr. 16 in Gutenberg Road. Feininger lived here with his family from 1919 – 1926. The tour leads you to the end of Shakespeare road and on to valley Kirschbachtal. Through the landscape and from village to village you are in 25 km at the stone bridge in Oberweimar. From here you continue through Goethe Park into the city centre of Weimar. The tour leads along roads with less traffic and country roads. The church in Gelmeroda offers an exhibition about Lyonel Feininger, it is opened daily from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Today you cycle along the „Thuringian-chain-of-towns” to the state capital Erfurt. On your way you will pass through Niederzimmer, where you can make a short detour to the town's medieval watchtower. Having arrived in the state capital, it is worth visiting the Krämerbrücke, the picturesque half-timbered houses, the famous cathedral and the medieval old town. Then you drive back to Weimar via Bechstedtstrasse with its Thuringian organ building museum.

Today you cycle in the picturesque Ilm Valley: through Bad Berka with its Kneipp pool for the cyclists' calves, past the manor in München, via Kranichfeld with its two castles to Hohenfelden. This area is ideal for picnicking and swimming. Go by boat in the popular local recreation area and visit one of the numerous cafés and restaurants that invite you to take a leisurely rest. The Thuringian Open Air Museum is also worth a visit.

This stage takes you to the Buchenwald memorial, which is located on the Ettersberg high above Weimar. The strenuous climb is rewarded with sweeping views of the Thuringian Basin. A stage in beautiful surroundings that brings conflicting feelings.

Day
07
Departure or extension

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Medium

The Weimarer Land is a hilly region with well-developed cycle paths. Cycling is mostly on well-maintained bike paths and side roads with little traffic. More traffic is to be expected near the city. Pleasure cyclists but also E-bikers will get their money’s worth here.

Prices & Dates

Category: see description

Prices per person in EUR

Our Rental Bikes

Rental bike partner men
Men's bike 9 to 30-speed
Derailleur gears with freewheel

High-quality men's touring bike with classic diamond frame

Rental bike partner unisex
Unisex bike 9 to 30-speed
Derailleur gears with freewheel

High-quality unisex touring bike with comfortable low entry

Rental bike partner men
Men's bike 7/8-speed
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality men's touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel

Rental bike partner unisex
Unisex bike 7/8-speed
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel

Rental bike partner e-bike
E-bike 7/8-speed
with free wheel or coaster brake (depending on availability)

High-quality unisex electric bike with comfortable low entry

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation in the selected hotel
  • Breakfast
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • GPS-data 
  • Service-Hotline

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • Weimar train station
  • Erfurt, Frankfurt/Main or Leipzig airport
  • Public Multi-storey car park “Am Goethehaus” close to Hotel Dorint (Cat A), costs approx. EUR 25 per day, no reservation possible.
  • Multi-storey car park car park at Hotel Leonardo (Cat B), costs approx. EUR 15 per day, no reservation possible.

Things to note

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

Our hotels

Nicole Maderegger

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