The best cycling routes around Rüdesheim

You don't see a wall like this very often in flat country

Schambes Klappergässer is a fictional character created by Karl Eugen Schmidt. The local newspaper, the Oeffentliche Anzeiger, not only named a dialect competition after Schambes Klappergässer, but also dedicated a monument to him in 1986—a sculpture weighing approximately one ton—which it presented to the citizens of Kreuznach. "Life and Deeds of the Excellent and Strict Mr. Schambes Klappergässer from Kreuznach After His Death" is the title of the novel written by Karl Eugen Schmidt (1866–1953). Schmidt was not only a regional author. This world traveler also lived for a time in the French capital, where he wrote a book about "Parisian Characters" and books on art, including works on 19th-century French painting.

Small rest area for cyclists and hikers.

Rotenfels: Alpine feeling on the bike path! ​Watch out, a giant is in sight! Shortly after Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg, you pass the Rotenfels massif, the highest cliff face in Germany north of the Alps. We're talking about over 200 meters of pure rock, rising vertically above the Nahe River. ​This isn't a hill anymore; it's a geological shocker! The entire mass consists of reddish porphyry rock, which glows fiery red, especially in the evening (or in good light). Truly spectacular. ​From the bike path, you can see the full force of it. You suddenly feel very small, which can be quite relaxing after 50 kilometers in the saddle. ​Fun fact: Up on the Rotenfels is a climbing area – only for pros! I prefer to stay on my 25mm tire asphalt and enjoy the view from below. No need to climb too high; the panorama from here is already unbeatable! ​My tip: Stop and enjoy the moment. Take a photo with this rock colossus as proof.

​👑 Rheingrafenstein Castle Ruins – The Rock Boss on the Cycle Path ​Tip: Stop here! The Rheingrafenstein ruins sit dramatically perched on a 136-meter-high porphyry cliff above the Nahe River – one of the most impressive sights of the entire tour. The castle was the ancestral seat of the famous Wildgraves and Rhinegraves (until it was blown up in 1689). ​The view from the cycle path is phenomenal! If you really want to go up (and have enough energy), you can take the small hand-pulled ferry across and take the steep hiking trail to the ruins. It's worth it for the view over the Nahe Valley, but honestly: My legs were already tired enough from cycling. The panoramic view from below is worth its weight in gold! A must-have for your photo collection!

Rheingrafenstein Castle sits enthroned on a steep porphyry cliff (245 meters high) directly above the Nahe River near Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg. Legend has it that the devil himself built the castle—a reference to its dramatic location and mystical aura. In fact, it likely dates back to the 11th century and was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Stein, later the Wildgraves and Rhinegraves. In 1689, it was blown up by French troops under Louis XIV, and since then it has been a ruin—but an extremely impressive one.

From this point, William Turner created the sketch for the watercolor "Kreuznach on the Nahe." William Turner was a leading representative of the Romantic movement. He is considered one of the most important European artists. From 1802 onward, Turner undertook journeys that took him along the Rhine through Switzerland to Venice and Rome. He was passionate about travel and created countless sketches and watercolors. In the summer of 1844, at the age of 70, his penultimate journey took him through the Rhine Valley to Switzerland. He also traveled through the valleys of the Moselle, Nahe, and Neckar.

Great spa town with picturesque sections along the river or in the great parks.