You can choose from a variety of bike routes in the Southern Palatinate. There are signposts all along the left and right bank of the Rhine to mark the European bike route, which goes along the Rhine and passes by Germersheim. You can take one of the bike routes starting in Germersheim to reach one of the many tourist attractions in Karlsruhe, Landau or Speyer.
Palace of Karlsruhe and the adjacent gardens
Day trip approx. 60 km
Starting
off in Germersheim, follow the "Rheinauenweg" route until you reach Leimersheim.
In Leimersheim take the ferry across the Rhine.
Ferry
operating times in Leimersheim:
Mon.
- Sat.: Nov. - March 6 am - 6.45 pm
April
and Oct. 6 am - 7.30 pm
May
- Sept. 6 am - 8 pm
Sun.
and holidays: April - Sept. from 9 am
Oct.
- March from 10 am
9pm*
and Sun.: 9 am- 9 pm* every half hour (*the last trip in daylight)
Once you have reached the other side of the Rhine (part of another German state, Baden-Württemberg), follow the route along the Rhine dam until you reach Leopoldshafen and Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. Then follow the Pfinz canal which leads you to the Linkenheimer Allee. From here you can easily reach the town centre with its palace (Schloss) where the museum of Baden (badisches Landesmuseum) is situated. Many different exhibitions are staged, e.g. the historical exhibition of art from the ancient times until today. Finally, you can go for a stroll through the palace gardens. On the way back you can also take the right route along the Rhine in the direction of Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen. Then you pass by Linkenheim-Hochstetten, Dettenheim, Philippsburg and finally arrive in Germersheim, where you can nicely enjoy the rest of your day.
Hambach castle (Hambacher Schloss)
Day trip approx. 30 or 60 km
Follow
the "Queichtalradweg" route from Germersheim and then change to the "Südpfalzweg"
route by Offenbach on the Queich until you reach Kirrweiler. Then follow the connecting
routes in the direction of Maikammer. In Maikammer, change onto the "Deutsche
Weinstraße" route in the direction of Neustadt, Hambach. You might have to
get off your bike at this point because of the steep path leading up to the Hambach
castle. The magnificient view of the never-ending vineyards is worth the trip. On
historic soil you will soon be able to paint a picture of German history.
Now
you have two options. The first one is to take the same route back. The second one
is to visit the town centre of Neustadt and go for a stroll there. If you choose
the second option, take the train from Neustadt to Schifferstadt and then change
for Germersheim.
Tobacco tour
Day trip approx. 45 km
Follow
the "Queichtalweg" route to Bellheim. From here on, follow the "Tabaktour"
route which has a tobacco plant logo. The starting point is usually the tobacco village
Hayna, but it should not be a problem to begin in Bellheim. Along the way there are
many villages where you can take a rest and have something to eat or drink, e.g.
in the gourmet restaurant "Zur Krone" in Hayna. Traditional German home
cooking is also available in this region. In the Herxheim town hall you can buy the
original Herxheim cigars and cigarillos. If you have a sweet tooth, you will certainly
enjoy a visit to "Mohrenkopffabrik Trauth", where you can buy small, cream-filled
chocolate cakes. Follow the "Klingbachweg" route from Rülzheim until you
reach the bank of the Rhine. Then follow the "Rheinauenweg" route until
you arrive in Germersheim. There are many ways to enjoy the rest of your day.
Speyer
Day trip approx. 19 or 38 km
Follow
the "Rheinauenweg" route along the Rhine with its many branches. If you
would like more time to visit Speyer, you can switch to the "Rheinauweg"
route in Berghausen and take the direct route to Speyer. In Speyer, you can visit
the Museum of Technology or the Museum of Palatinate History. You will be overwhelmed
by a visit to Speyer's Imperial Cathedral with its crypt still in its original state.
Strolls through the old town and its pedestrian zones is a worthwhile experience.
Take the same route on your way back. However, you can take the train back if you
are tired from the abundant and interesting sights Speyer has to offer.
In
the evening you can eat out in one of Germersheim's many restaurants.
Rietburgbahn - Edenkoben
Day trip approx. 56 km
Follow
the "Queichtalweg" route from Germersheim passing by Bellheim and Knittelsheim
to Offenbach. Then switch to "Südpfalzweg" route passing through Dreihof,
Bornheim, Essingen, Hochstadt and Kleinfischlingen to Großfischlingen. In Großfischlingen,
change to the "Vom Rhein zum Wein"-From Rhine to Wine- route arriving in
Edesheim. Then follow the signposts to "Rietburgbahn". Take a chair lift
to the top to enjoy the beautiful view of the vineyards and the tiny villages (the
chair lift [Rietburgbahn] operates from Easter to the end of October). Take the same
way back.
Finally,
enjoy an evening tasting Palatinate wines or savour one of Bellheim brewery's excellent
beers. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available.
Landau
Day trip approx. 50 km
Follow the "Queichtalweg" route from Germersheim passing by Bellheim and Offenbach, arriving in Landau. The first place you can visit in Landau is the zoo. Clearly arranged, it has the right family atmosphere. If you are looking for a cultural attraction, stop by the Frank-Loebsche-Haus which is well-known beyond local boundaries. The LA OLA is an indoor water park with water slides, waves, whirlpools and an outdoor thermal pool that you can enjoy even on rainy days. Then you can take the same way back or pass through Offenbach. This route is approximately 8 km longer. In Offenbach, change over to the "Südpfalzweg" route to Herxheim where you can visit the "Mohrenkopffabrik Trauth" confectionary factory. This is a must for those with a sweet tooth. Then take the "Klingbachweg" route which passes by Herxheimweyher, Rülzheim and Hördt back to the Rhine. Here, return to the "Rheinauenweg" route to Germersheim. Back in Germersheim you can eat out in one of its restaurants or enjoy the rest of the day in one of the many street cafés.