The Rhine Cycle Route will offer you wonderful views over the Rhine. A river that has been often immortalised in story and song; you will be able to discover the untouched riverside forests which are rich in varied flora and fauna.
On your route, the cycle path will also lead you through picturesque towns, villages and wine growing areas. The region boasts a wealth of popular tourist destinations and cultural sites, as well areas of devine culinary specialities.
A short detour to the Neckar River and to Heidelberg, are not to be missed! It is a marvellous city, steeped in history. Words are useless to describe the beautiful landscape, the unique cultural sites and the regional delicacies: you simply have to experience them yourself!
Day 1: Arrival to Strasbourg (Kehl)
Make your own way into Strasbourg (Kehl). Embarkation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital of the Alsace today. Enjoy the beautiful city, known for its many canals.
Day 2: Strasbourg – Gambsheim/Freistett, Cycle tour approx. 25 km / Boat Tour Gambsheim - Germersheim
After breakfast, you should have plenty of time to explore Strasbourg. The Strasbourg Minster and the Tanners` Quarter with its small historic half-timbered houses are well worth seeing. Soak up the French joie de vivre, before you set out on your first cycle tour. Cycle directly along the River Rhine, through the gentle Rhine plain until you reach the Gambsheim lock where you will find your ship waiting for you. You will then set sail for Germersheim. Whilst on board, enjoy a glass of wine on deck or in the saloon, as you relive the highlights of your journey so far.
Day 3: Boat Tour Plittersdorf – Germersheim / Germersheim - Speyer, Cycle Tour approx. 25 km
Toda's cycle will guide you through unspoilt nature along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes. Before, however, look forward to forward to visiting the old fortified town of Germersheim, which is full of picturesque lanes, corners and squares. As you continue through the Palatinate land, you will eventually reach your destination for the day, the cathedral city of Speyer. Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
Day 4: Speyer – Mannheim, Cycle Tour approx. 20 km
Today you can relax with a short ride along the bank of the Old Rhine. You will pass marvellous lakes, and cycle through untouched protected areas, designated as National Nature Reserves, and natural flood plains. By the end of your ride, you will have reached Mannheim, also called the “City of Squares” due to its layout in a grid-pattern. Among these squares, you will find countless places that are well worth a visit, for example the famous Mannheim Baroque Palace(German largest Baroque palace complex), and the water tower (the city’s landmark).
Day 5: Mannheim – Heidelberg - Mannheim, Cycle Tour approx. 60 km
Today you will head through the heart of the Electoral Palatinate and thus partly along the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Castle, and its castle garden, are just 2 of the reasons to visit the charming town of Schwetzingen. From here, the route continues via Plankstadt and Eppelheim to Heidelberg. Already visible from afar, the ruin of Heidelberg Castle towers over the Old Town. Admire the famous Heidelberg red sandstone bridge or stroll through meandering lanes and see the picturesque squares in the Old Town. For a longer cycle route, follow the Neckar on the other side, through the Roman town Ladenburg, back to Mannheim.
Day 6: Mannheim – Worms, Cycle Tour approx. 60 km
You leave will leave Mannheim. With meadows and fields at your side, you will follow the path of the Rhine to the imperial city of Worms. On your journey through two millennia of the city’s history, learn about emperors and kings, myths and legends of the Nibelung, Judaism and Martin Luther.
Day 7: Boat Tour Worms – Nierstein, Nierstein – Mainz, Cycle Tour approx. 20 km
With almost 1,000 Hectares of viticultural area, Nierstein is home to the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. The historic Old Town with its medieval market square and noble houses is also well worth visiting. A short stretch that leaves plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route on well-paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine from Nierstein to Mainz. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can also choose to start the cycle tour in Worms. (cycle tour Worms-Mainz approx. 60 km).
Day 8: Mainz
After breakfast disembarkation until 09:00am. Individual journey home.
The quality of the cycle ways along this route is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclists.
Total distance cycled: 210 km
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Tour Details (All times are subject to change):
We recommend flying to Strasbourg airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Bike & Barge: Strasbourg to Mainz cycling holiday includes accommodation on-board the MS Olympia and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Services not included:
Journey to Strasbourg and from Mainz, shuttles, entrance fees and excursions, bike rental, ferry fares, travel insurances, parking fee, drinks on board, tips.
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
E - Bike (Colour may vary)
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gearing information available on request.
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161
MS Olympia
Comfortable and cosy river ship with family environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon with bar in gentlemens club-style and the bright and friendly restaurant are waiting for you to pass relaxing hours here. A spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.
A total of 49 comfortable outside cabins for a max. of 96 guests are available.
Main deck: 21 two-bed-cabins (about 11m²).
Upper deck: 22 two-bed-cabins (about 11m²), 4 cabins of bigger size at the stern of the ship (12m²), 3 of which feature twin beds; during the trip increased noise perception as well as two single cabins about 9m². All cabins boast en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge, safe, and large panoramic window. On the Upper deck, cabins feature opening windows.
Technical Details: Length 88.50 m. Width 10.50 m. Draught 1.30 m. Capacity max. 96 passengers. Flag Switzerland. Built 1984. Refurbished 2015/2016. Crew ca. 21
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Ship | Route Summary |
MS Olympia | Strasbourg to Mainz |
Season | Date Band | Arrival Day |
Season A | 1st October – 8th October | Saturday |
Season B | 11th June – 18th June | Saturday |
Season | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season A: Main Deck 2 bed | £885 | Saturday |
Season A: Main Deck (Single use) | £1160 | Saturday |
Season B: Main Deck 2 bed | £930 | Saturday |
Season B: Main Deck (Single use) | £1205 | Saturday |
Season | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season A: Upper Deck 2 bed Astern | £1020 | Saturday |
Season A: Upper Deck 2 bed | £1065 | Saturday |
Season A: Upper Deck Single Cabin | £1205 | Saturday |
Season B: Upper Deck 2 bed Astern | £1065 | Saturday |
Season B: Upper Deck 2 bed | £1110 | Saturday |
Season B: Upper Deck Single Cabin | £1250 | Saturday |
Bike Type | Price |
Rental Bike: | £80 |
Electric Bike Upgrade: | £165 |
Date From | Date To | Price |
11 June 2022 | 18 June 2022 | £0 |
01 October 2022 | 08 October 2022 | £0 |