Romantic Neckar

No other landscape in the whole of Germany can boast such a density of castles, castle ruins and palaces as the Neckar Valley. Starting in the imperial palace of Bad Wimpfen, you follow in the footsteps of the Staufers and experience the history of the romantic castles in the Neckar valley that line the course of the river.

Picturesque countryside, towns steeped in history and an imposing castle on every hill: on its approximately 105 km from the historic Staufer town of Bad Wimpfen to the mouth of the Neckar in Mannheim, this section of the Neckar Valley Cycle Route delves deep into the history of the Electoral Palatinate. As the Neckar winds its way through the hilly landscape of the Odenwald and flows ever further towards the Rhine, more and more imposing buildings appear on top of the mountains, bearing witness to a bygone era. No other region in Germany boasts such an impressive density of castles, ruins and palaces. Experience pure history and the romanticism of castles while you take on a climb or two to immerse yourself in the rich history of the Staufer dynasty on a castle tour, for example at Guttenberg Castle, where you will be rewarded with wonderful views of the hilly landscape of the Odenwald from the top of the castle mountains.

The cultural highlight of the “Romantic Neckar” is undoubtedly the historic and lively city of Heidelberg with its magnificent castle ruins and winding old town. Take your time to stroll around take a stroll before following the Neckar into the Rhine plain and finally to the cosmopolitan cultural city of Mannheim, where the Neckar bids you farewell as it flows into the Rhine. The contrast could hardly be greater.