Magyar Természetjáró Szövetség weboldalai MTSZ MTSZ térképportál Turista Magazin TuristaShop Kéktúra Gerecse50 A kéktúrázás napja
Try Pro for free
Choose a language
Plan a route here Plan similar route
Bicycle Rides recommended route Bicycle Rides  · Pfalz

Cathedral and Fortress Loop

Responsible for this content
Südpfalz-Tourismus Landkreis Germersheim e.V Verified partner 
  • By bike through Maximilianstraße in Speyer
    By bike through Maximilianstraße in Speyer
    Photo: Dominik Ketz, CC BY-SA, Pfalz Touristik

Selected alternatives for you
    Experience a varied circular tour between Speyer Cathedral and Germersheim Fortress – along the mighty Rhine, open Gäulandschaft, and through the shady Bellheimer Forest.
    moderate
    Distance 56.3 km
    3:50 h
    78 m
    78 m
    129 m
    92 m
    This culturally and naturally rich circular tour connects two significant buildings of the Palatinate: the mighty Imperial Cathedral of Speyer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and emblem of Romanesque architecture, and the impressive fortress of Germersheim, whose extensive fortifications still shape the cityscape today. On the Rhine Cycle Route, you cycle through floodplain landscapes along old branches of the Rhine and can watch boats passing by on the Rhine.  The return route leads through the quiet, pleasantly shady Bellheimer Forest, where natural paths offer a peaceful, relaxing passage. Afterwards, enjoy wide views over the characteristic Gäulandschaft, which with its fields, meadows, and open horizons conveys a feeling of freedom. The tour offers a balanced mix of culture, Rhine idyll, and diverse natural landscapes.

    ATTENTION! - Campaign for a considerate coexistence in nature

    • Act considerately - Always behave cautiously, kindly, and considerately towards everyone you meet along the way. This applies especially on agricultural roads, where winegrowers, farmers, and foresters also work on weekends.
    • Picnic & waste - Remember a trash bag for your journey and take your waste home again. Use only furnished rest areas for breaks and picnics.
    • Nature conservation - Stay on designated paths and avoid unnecessary noise when you are in nature. Leave the forest by dusk at the latest to avoid disturbing the rhythm of nocturnal animals.

    More information at www.pfalz.de/uffbasse 

    Author’s recommendation

    Not only are the cathedral and fortress worth a thorough visit, but the towns of Speyer and Germersheim also offer delightful dining opportunities.
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    129 m
    Lowest point
    92 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 28.53%Dirt road 49.86%Forested/wild trail 7.95%Road 10.80%Unknown 2.83%
    Asphalt
    16.1 km
    Dirt road
    28 km
    Forested/wild trail
    4.5 km
    Road
    6.1 km
    Unknown
    1.6 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Zur Alten Münz
    Ice cream parlour & coffee roastery De Vico
    Café Cesare
    tavern Wirtshaus am Dom
    Naturfreundehaus Speyer

    Safety information

    Cycling on agricultural roads - Our bike routes often run on paths shared with others. Therefore, we ask for considerate and friendly behavior at all times. Winegrowers, farmers, and foresters use agricultural roads through fields, forests, and vineyards for their daily work – also on weekends. Due to work operations and/or weather conditions, the paths may be more heavily soiled at times. Special caution is also required when crossing streets in and around Palatinate towns. Road closures and detours must be strictly observed.

    Hazard situations - If an emergency occurs, quick help is required. Although mobile phones can send GPS signals, traditional emergency points are often the fastest. These are located at places easily accessible to emergency vehicles. Remember the points with green signs and a white cross. In an emergency, return there and provide the number on the sign to the emergency services. This way, rescuers will know where to find you. 

    Tips and suggestions

    South Palatinate Tourism District Germersheim e.V.

    info@suedpfalz-tourismus.de

    www.suedpfalz-tourismus.de 


    City of Speyer

    touristinformation@stadt-speyer.de

    Phone: +49 6232 14-2392

    Homepage | Visit Speyer

    E-bike charging stations in the Palatinate

    Bike rental

    Roadbook

    The tour starts at Postplatz at the end of Maximilianstraße in Speyer. From here, you first cycle through the city center and right past the Speyer Cathedral before you reach the Rhine. Always close to the water, you follow the bike path to Lingenfeld and further to Germersheim.

    In Germersheim, the route leads you to the Rheinvorland, where you cycle directly south along the waterfront path. Shortly after, you turn towards Sollachsee and continue the tour through Germersheim/Sondernheim. Then it goes on towards Bellheim and into the Bellheimer Forest, which you cross on well-maintained forest roads.

    Behind Lustadt, past fields, you finally reach Harthausen and Dudenhofen via Weingarten and Schwegenheim. From here, it is only a short distance back to Speyer, where you arrive again at Postplatz.

    Public transport

    Along the route, various train stations provide connections to local and long-distance public transport: Speyer, Germersheim-Mitte, Lingenfeld.

    Timetable information: via the DB Travel Information and in the DB Navigator App.

    Bicycle transport is permitted on regional trains in the Palatinate (Rhein-Neckar Transport Association (VRN)) – on weekdays between 6 and 9 a.m. for a fee, otherwise free of charge. Passengers, strollers, and wheelchairs are given priority transport in case of lack of space.

    Get Timetable to destination

    to
    Cathedral and Fortress Loop

    Directions

    To Speyer: From B9 or B39 towards Speyer city center.

    To Germersheim: From B9 (Germersheim/Mitte) or B35 (Germersheim/Nord) towards Germersheim center via Bahnhofstraße to Rheinvorland and August-Keiler-Straße

    Parking

    Please park only in designated parking spaces and always keep access routes for emergency vehicles and work paths in the forest and vineyards clear. For overnight stays in campers & caravans, there are explicitly designated motorhome parking spaces.

    In Speyer, e.g. Alter Messplatz parking lot, and in Germersheim, free parking at the Weißenburger Tor (August-Keiler-Str.)

    Coordinates

    DD
    49.317689, 8.431277
    DMS
    49°19'03.7"N 8°25'52.6"E
    UTM
    32U 458667 5462928
    w3w 
    ///recover.tonsils.guess
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    Equipment

    For our bike routes, we recommend the following equipment as standard:
    • (Touring) bike; on hillier tours, more gears or electric assistance provide more comfort
    • Bicycle helmet
    • cycling-appropriate clothing, also for bad weather
    • bicycle bag for storing equipment and provisions
    • sunglasses or protective glasses, also protect against insects
    • smartphone with the Rhineland-Palatinate app for navigation and information about sights, dining options along the route, and more
    • essential tools and spare parts; if applicable, charging accessories for e-bike
    • sun protection, especially on tours through fields & vineyards
    • mosquito protection is recommended in summer

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from German.

    User Questions

    Don't see what you need here?
    Ask a question and get an answer from the author, the official DMO or the community.

    5 of 5
    1 rating · 0 reviews
    very good
    5
    good
    4
    satisfactory
    3
    fair
    2
    poor
    1
    Be the first to leave a rating or write a review!
    Share your experiences and advice to help millions of people find and plan their next outdoor adventure.
    Write a review
     of 

    Rating submitted
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    56.3 km
    Duration
    3:50 h
    Ascent
    78 m
    Descent
    78 m
    Highest point
    129 m
    Lowest point
    92 m
    Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Flora

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

    Statistics

    • My Map
    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile
    Logo agrar Logo aofk Logo mol Logo otp