Above Rüdesheim, the Germania is enthroned on the imposing Niederwalddenkmal, a monument to the German Empire commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871.
Niederwald MonumentCycling in the Rheingau
Discover Rüdesheim, Rheingau and UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley by bike
Whether city bike, dirt bike, folding bike, e-bike, mountain bike, pedelec, racing bike, touring bike, trekking bike or velo-bike - Rüdesheim is the ideal starting point for bike tours through the Rheingau and Upper Middle Rhine Valley.
In the direction of Wiesbaden, you drive along the Rhine through the old cultural landscape of the Rheingau. Divided by gently rolling vineyards, picturesque villages such as Eltville and Oestrich-Winkel are lined up for about 25 kilometres. As there are only 1-2% gradients on this cycle route, the cycle path along the Rhine is particularly recommended for families and extended cycle tours. You can get back to Rüdesheim comfortably by train. This makes cycling in the Rheingau especially fun.
But also in the direction of Koblenz, right through the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley, there are attractive and particularly scenic cycle paths. Feel the fascination of the Rhine's romanticism and discover your wine experience before returning by train. The 65-kilometre Middle Rhine Cycle Path on the left bank of the Rhine is fully developed. Take the ferry from Rüdesheim to Bingen and start your tour of discovery along numerous palaces, castles and, of course, the legendary Loreley.
Tour 1: Experience the state capitals
Full-day excursion: 75 kilometres, 7 hours pure driving time
Starting in Rüdesheim, the cycle route takes you along the Rhine through the beautiful Rheingau region. The unique wine and cultural landscape impresses with numerous aristocratic residences and monasteries as well as renowned wineries along the cycle route. The towns along the route invite you to make stops along the way. In particular, the old town of Eltville with the electoral castle (17 kilometres, 1.5 hours' ride) is worth seeing.
From Eltville it is about an hour's drive to the city limits of Wiesbaden. The 2000-year-old city of Mainz is directly opposite on the other side of the Rhine. The Schiersteiner Brücke (bridge) provides the fastest connection between the two cities in a 60-minute drive (10 kilometres). The old town of Mainz with St. Stephan's Cathedral and the Gutenberg Museum offers many sights and experiences.
You then cycle along the Rhine via Ingelheim and the Rheinauen nature reserve to Bingen. From there you can reach Rüdesheim comfortably by car ferry or passenger boat.
Tour 2: Discover World Heritage
Half-day excursion: 23 kilometres, 2 hours pure driving time or full-day excursion: 45 kilometres, 4.5 hours pure driving time
At Steiger 8, we recommend crossing from Rüdesheim to Bingen by passenger ferry. This will take you to the Linkrhein cycle path in Bingen, which leads you directly into the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. The countless castles, palaces, wine villages and, of course, the Loreley will enchant you. The cycle path runs along the banks of the Rhine and is therefore flat throughout. Structurally, the Rhine cycle path on the left bank of the Rhine is separated from the main road. Even if you don't make it to Bacharach (16 kilometres, 1.5 hours), Oberwesel (23 kilometres, 2 hours) or past the Loreley to Boppard (21 kilometres, 2 hours), you can always return to Rüdesheim comfortably and relaxed by boat or train.
Tour 3: Cycling in the Rheingau
Half-day excursion: 40 kilometres, 4 hours pure riding time, recommended tour for e-bikes
The round tour through the Rheingau takes you to the most beautiful corners of the region. Start in Rüdesheim on the R3 cycle path. Pass Monrepos Castle of Geisenheim University and through the vineyards towards Johannisberg Castle. After a few small climbs on the cycle path, you will then reach Eberbach Monastery. Via the village of Kiedrich, you will finally reach the Rhine near Eltville. You then cycle along the Rhine for 17 kilometres and in about 1.5 hours back to Rüdesheim am Rhein.
Tour 4: To the Nahe
30 kilometres, 3 hours pure driving time
Opposite Rüdesheim, the Nahe flows into the Rhine. This is the starting point for the cycle tour along the Nahe. To cross the Rhine, we recommend the passenger ferry from Steiger 8. The flat course of the Nahe cycle path takes you along the river to Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg. The route is varied and you will pass, for example, the medieval Drusus Bridge in Bingen, Bad Kreuznach with its bridge houses worth seeing and the Rotenfels, Germany's largest steep face outside the Alps. For the way back to Bingen, the 30-minute train ride is recommended.