Biking the Romantic Rhine and Neckar River Valleys
Guided from EUR € 2040
Bike and Boat Tour aboard Iris
Countries: Germany
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Explore Germany by bike soaking in castles, vineyards, and historic towns.
This guided cycling tour, taking place on well-marked bike paths, encompasses everything that makes Germany so iconic: hilltop castles, sloping vineyards, medieval villages, mighty waterways, and of course, delicious food. Starting in either Koblenz or Heidelberg, the Iris will navigate the Rhine and Neckar Rivers while you cycle through picturesque landscapes. From the ancient city of Boppard to the charming streets of Ruedesheim, each day brings new adventures, from exploring medieval cathedrals to tasting local wines and brandies. Pedal your way to Heidelberg, where Gothic castles and hidden treasures await, before bidding farewell to newfound friends and unforgettable memories.
Highlights
- Castle Ehrenbreitstein in Koblenz, reached via cable car ride
- Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Beer gardens at Deutsche Eck in Koblenz
- Countless vineyards
- Lorelei Rock
- Worms, one of Europe's oldest cities, and its Romanesque Cathedral
- Heidelberg and its historic castle
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Daily program
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Day 1: Koblenz
Welcome to Koblenz! Your cabins are ready for check-in at 1:30 pm, and shortly after that, an introductory talk from the crew. You'll be fitted for your bike before a visit to Castle Ehrenbreitstein, complete with an exhilarating cable car ride over the Rhine. Maybe you can spot the Iris from afar! Your first night in Germany is not complete without a visit to the beer gardens at Deutsche Eck. A great week of cycling awaits.Day 2: Koblenz - St. Goar (25 miles/40 km)
After breakfast, the first ride of a week takes you to the ancient city of Boppard. Here you'll witness the Rhine take a nearly 180-degree turn, it is a sight to behold! Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its famed wines with just under 200 acres devoted to vineyards. It is actually the biggest wine-growing center in the Middle Rhine region. The day's destination is St. Goar, located across from the famous Lorelei, a 433-foot-steep slate rock on the bank of the river. A ferry and a bus bring you most of the way, and a hiking path leads the rest of the way to a scenic overlook that is sure to impress.Day 3: St. Goar - Oberwesel - Ruedesheim (15 miles/25 km)
The Iris will sail upstream, giving you a different view of the Lorelei. You'll get on your bike again, riding on pristine bike paths past historic castles until reaching Ruedesheim. Once again, the Roman impact on this region is visible in the vines they once tended. The most popular place in this small town is the Drosselgasse, famous for the entertaining music and of course, the wine. Also worth a visit is the Asbach center which has been producing brandy locally since 1892. Not into brandy? They also produce some incredible chocolate. The old town of Ruedesheim is just as charming, with cozy, traditional taverns and half-timbered houses.Day 4: Ruedesheim - Mainz (22 miles/35 km)
From the lovely wine village you enjoyed last night, you will cycle in the direction of Mainz. This city is located where the Main River joins the Rhine. The Roman influence here is notable, especially in the impressive Mainz Cathedral which dominates the skyline. This cathedral remains one of the most important religious buildings in Germany. Mainz is also where Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press and manufactured the first books in the early 1450s, including the famed Gutenberg Bible.Day 5: Mainz - Worms (34 miles/55 km)
From Mainz, you will head to one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe, Worms, the capital of the Kingdom of the Burgundians in the early fifth century! The Worms Cathedral, much like the one in Mainz, is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Architecture. Not only Catholic, Worms is also known for its Jewish culture in Europe during the Middle Ages. A synagogue and a ritual bath still exist, as does the Heiliger Sand cemetery, the oldest Jewish graveyard in all of Europe.Day 6: Worms - Heidelberg (28 miles/45 km)
Pedaling through Mannheim it’s now time to enter the Neckar region! A dedicated bike path brings you to one of the most famous cities in Germany: Heidelberg. The Gothic castle, sitting high above the city, overlooks the oldest and most prestigious German university. Take the funicular up the mountain and explore this incredible building as well as the world's largest wine barrel, constructed from 130 trees! Fortunately, Heidelberg escaped WWII without damage to its original buildings. The castle, however, has been repeatedly struck by lightning and partially plundered by the French but remains a highlight of the trip. One last hidden sight lies within the forest. The Thingstätte is a Nazi amphitheater commissioned by Joseph Goebbels for large propaganda events. To find it, cross the Old Bridge and walk up the Schlangenweg (snake path) to the Philosophen Weg (philosopher’s way). Here you're in the perfect spot to view the sunset over Heidelberg. If you didn't get to see all of Heidelberg today, don't fret! Tomorrow you'll have a full day to explore this city.Day 7: Heidelberg (25 miles/40 km)
Those who can't do without riding for a day can do a bike tour on the outskirts of Heidelberg. There is also a guided excursion throughout the city to enjoy all that Heidelberg has to offer. Before leaving, you must visit the monkey at the Old Bridge. This bronze statue was created by Herr Rumpf and is the subject of popular lore; supposedly, polishing its mirror bestows good luck, and rubbing his fingers ensures you will return to Heidelberg.Day 8: Heidelberg
Say goodbye to the Iris and your fellow passengers, your cycling tour ends after breakfast at 9 am. -
Day 1: Heidelberg
Welcome to Heidelberg! Your cabins are ready for check-in at 1:30 pm, and shortly after that, an introductory talk from the crew. Heidelberg is an incredible city, we highly recommend arriving a day early to take advantage of everything this place has to offer!Day 2: Heidelberg - Zwingenberg
Following the river up the Neckar, today's destination is Zwingenberg. It is a peaceful bike ride following the meandering water. Zwingenberg is a tranquil town famous for the 13th-century castle that sits overlooking the Neckar and is thought to be the most beautiful fortress in the area.Day 3: Zwingenberg loop
Today's bike ride takes you further upstream along the Neckar but returns to Zwingenberg in the afternoon. The goal is to visit the Margarethen Schlucht and the Binauer Höhe. Margarethen Schlucht is a beautiful and unique gorge that is well worth a visit, and Binauer Höhe is part of the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park. Those who prefer Zwingenberg can stay on board the Iris and cruise back in the direction of Heidelberg.Day 4: Heidelberg - Worms (28 miles/45 km)
You arrive once again in Heidelberg and start cycling to one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe, Worms, the capital of the Kingdom of the Burgundians in the early fifth century! The Worms Cathedral, much like the one in Mainz, is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Architecture. Not only Catholic, Worms is also known for its Jewish culture in Europe during the Middle Ages. A synagogue and a ritual bath still exist, as does the Heiliger Sand cemetery, the oldest Jewish graveyard in all of Europe.Day 5: Worms - Mainz
From one Roman city to the next, today you'll cycle to Mainz. This city is located where the Main River joins the Rhine. The Roman influence here is notable, especially in the impressive Mainz Cathedral which dominates the skyline. This cathedral remains one of the most important religious buildings in Germany. Mainz is also where Gutenberg invented the movable type printing press and manufactured the first books in the early 1450s, including the famed Gutenberg Bible.Day 6: Mainz - Ruedesheim
Vineyards and historic countryside accompany you as you ride along pristine bike paths until Ruedesheim. The grape vines you see along the way were once tended by the Romans. In Ruedesheim, the most popular place in this small town is the Drosselgasse, famous for the entertaining music and of course, the wine. Also worth a visit is the Asbach center which has been producing brandy locally since 1892. Not into brandy? They also produce some incredible chocolate. The old town of Ruedesheim is just as charming, with cozy, traditional taverns and half-timbered houses.Day 7: Ruedesheim - St. Goar - Boppard - Koblenz
This morning, the Iris will navigate the narrowest part of the Rhine where the current is high. Rising from the river bank is the famous Lorelei. In Germanic mythology, a Lorelei is a siren, a beautiful creature who lured sailors with tempting songs, so they lost control of their vessels and ran them aground. The Lorelei you will see, however, is a 433-foot-steep slate rock on the bank of the Rhine River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Iris will drop you off in St. Goar where the last bike of the week to Boppard begins. Here you'll witness the Rhine take a nearly 180-degree turn, it is a sight to behold! Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its famed wines with just under 200 acres devoted to vineyards. It is actually the biggest wine-growing center in the Middle Rhine region. Finally, you will reach Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.
Day 8: Koblenz
Say goodbye to the Iris and your fellow passengers, your cycling tour ends after breakfast at 9 am.
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Accommodation
Boats
- Lounge area, bar, and sun deck
- Wi-Fi (keeping in mind the speed might not be what you're accustomed to)
- Helmets available free of charge
- NO smoking onboard
- Payment accepted in Cash, debit cards/credit cards (with security pin code)
- Gratuities in cash (preferably in Euros)
Iris
The Iris navigates on rivers and canals in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Read more
Overview
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Bikes
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Giant Touring Bike from the LIV collection
- 8 speeds
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Gel saddle
- Platform pedals
All rental bikes are equipped with:
- Panniers
- Water bottle
- Helmet
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be included at the time of your booking. You can read more about that HERE.
Gazelle Ultimate C8 Electric Bike
- Stable and rigid step-through frame
- Integrated 500wh battery
- Bosch Active Line Plus motor
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Selle Royal Loire saddle
All rental bikes are equipped with:
- Panniers
- Water bottle
- Helmet
Dates
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Jun 21, 2025
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Jun 28, 2025
Prices
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Per person, double occupancy €2040 Single-use cabin (1 person/1 cabin) On request Bike Rentals
Standard touring bike €120 Electrically assisted bike €250 -
Per person, double occupancy €2040 Single-use cabin (1 person/1 cabin) On request Bike Rentals
Standard touring bike €120 Electrically assisted bike €250
Included services
- 7 nights aboard the Iris in climate-controlled cabins
- 7 x breakfasts, 6 x packed lunches, 6 x dinner on board, a glass of wine at dinner
- Coffee and tea on board
- Bed linen and towels
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Cycling tour guide (for groups of over 18 guests, a second guide will be added)
- Helmets, panniers, and waterbottle
Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
Surface and terrain
This is a leisurely bike and boat tour. You'll be cycling on well-maintained asphalted bike paths and peaceful country roads. The daily biking distance ranges from 15 to 34 miles (25 to 55 km). The terrain is mostly flat.
How to get there
Frankfurt (FRA) International Airport is the closest airport for both directions of this tour.
Tour start/end in Koblenz
Nearest train station: Koblenz Hauptbahnhof (HBF)Tour start/end in Heidelberg
Nearest train station: Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof (HBF)Be the first to review this tour!
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