We are delighted that you are interested in a holiday along the Main River, which meanders from Franconia to Hessen and despite a few famous attractions along its banks, it remains a well hidden secret. We are happy to offer you the following information:

Franconia stretches across the North of Bavaria and is well known for its down to earth, friendly people, hearty food, good beer and its white wine in unique, green bulbous bottle - known as “Bocksbeutel”. The Main has always been the most important river in the region.

The White Rhine rises in the Fichtelgebirge Mountains, in the middle of a fairytale landscape with mystically arranged blocks of rock and bellowing moose. The Red Main springs to the surface under the vivacious green leaves of the Franconian Jura to the south of Bayreuth. Both rivers meet near the historic town and beer metropolis of Kulmbach from where they flow towards the Rhine. The Regnitz – sometimes known as the third river which forms the Main - joins the Main near the fascinating old town of Bamberg. The city has the largest preserved historic town centre in Germany and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The symbol of the city is the huge Romanic Imperial Cathedral which towers above the houses of the old town which both rivers flow through. The Old Town Hall which was built in the 15th century is located in the middle of the Regnitz and can be accessed by way of two bridges.

The Main Cycle Path follows the river through northern Franconia. Between the Fichtelgebirge Mountains and the urban centres of Frankfurt, Mainz and Wiesbaden the river forms the border between the wooded, rolling hills of the Mittelgebirge mountains to the North and the light dappled karst landscape of the Franconia Jura and Franconian Switzerland regions to the south of the wide valley. Frankenwald, Steigerwald, Haßberge, Spessart and Odenwald force the river to undertake numerous meanders along its path. The landscape along its banks is not spectacular but is very pretty. However, the regions to the left and right of the River have impressive cultural attractions for visitors. The Wagner and festival city of Bayreuth; Baroque pilgrim churches such as the churches of  Vierzehnheiligen and Banz Monastery; Plassenburg Castle in Kulmbach which is fortified externally and beautifully decorated internally;  UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bamberg and Würzburg; historical small towns of Haßfurt, Ochsenfurt, Wertheim and Miltenberg; spectacular castles in Aschaffenburg and metropolitan flair in Frankfurt are only some of the cultural highlights along the 524 km long River which is one of the most significant tributaries of the Rhine.

Our Main Cycle Routes begin in Bayreuth, Bamberg or Nuremberg and follow almost entirely along the banks of the Main towards the Lower Franconian towns of Würzburg and Aschaffenburg or to where the river joins the Rhine opposite the Cathedral in Mainz. The Franconian “Radachter” Route also offers cyclists the opportunity to take a detour into the romantic Tauber Valley. The fact that the route is mainly flat with a few easy ascents and runs along very good quality surfaces ensures that cycling tours along the Main Cycle Path are pure enjoyment for cyclists. The well known goods wines, beers and hearty Franconian food ensure that cyclists will never go hungry or thirsty.

As corny as it may sound: a glass of wine with a generous sized piece of shoulder meat with cabbage is part and parcel of a successful day’s cycling along the Main Cycle Path.  If enjoyed in reasonable quantities, such a hearty Franconian meal gives you more energy for the following kilometres along the Main and its tributaries.

As you can see, it’s worth taking a tour along the Main Cycle Path. We look forward to welcoming from you!