Biking the Rhein River

Enjoy an easy ride from Wiesbaden to Rüdesheim or climb up into the vineyards to work up a sweat

Story and photos by Karl Weisel

U.S. Army Garrison Hessen/Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office

Working up a little sweat on two wheels makes the wine taste better during a break in the vineyards above the Rhein River.

While bikers all have their favorite rides, one guaranteed to appeal to all level of cyclists is a trip north on the river from Wiesbaden.

A good starting point if coming by car is the parking area along the castle park in Wiesbaden-Biebrich. After unloading your bicycle and packing the saddle bags, ride through the park behind the 18th century baroque Biebrich Castle and listen for the calls of the hundreds of wild parrots who have found a home in its trees.

From the front of the castle while facing the Rhein head right on the trail which runs along the river bank in the direction of Eltville. Riding along the riverbank offers a gentle, relatively flat ride around the harbor in Schierstein and past a number of noted wine-producing river towns.

Just past the Schiersteiner Harbor, look off to your right and you’ll note a nature preserve area where scores of storks and herons regularly nest.

Many of the wine towns such as Erbach and Eltville feature small pavilions where visitors can sample the local grape. But keep in mind that drinking and biking, like drinking and driving, are against the law — so stay within the legal limit and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

For those who want a more challenging ride, consider heading up into the hills at Eltville and following trails through the vineyards up to the Eberbach Monastery or in the direction of Rüdesheim. Getting away from the riverbank and up into the hills offers a spectacular view of the Rhein River Valley and a chance to encounter the local vintners hard at work in their vineyards.

If you’ve packed a lunch find a spot with a view and stop to admire the surrounding countryside. If not, don’t worry, there are plenty of opportunities to sit outside at a guesthouse, Turkish eatery or wine garden for a meal along the trail.

If you’d prefer not biking back the way you’ve come, consider taking the ferry across somewhere along the route or hopping on the train (depending on how far north you’ve made it up the river) and heading back with a new view.