Nahe-Hunsrück-Mosel cycle route

From Fischbach on the Nahe, we cycle past the copper mine into the quiet Hosenbach valley. Soon the first noticeable climb awaits us. After the Heupenmühle, we turn sharply left off the paved road; a somewhat rough farm road leads us up to the ridgeline above Herrstein. From the summit, it then goes rapidly down into the valley, past Steinäckerhof into Herrstein. Here, inside the town wall, you will find many richly decorated half-timbered houses, the Herrstein castle, an old church with Stumm organ, and the mighty clock tower, the only preserved medieval town gate in the upper Nahe area.

Continuing towards Rhaunen, our route runs mainly along main roads. Behind Weiden and Hottenbach, 100 meters of elevation must be overcome over 7 km. At the Heuchelheimer marketplace above Sulzbach, we have reached one of the highest points of this route. Along a somewhat busier main road, we cycle to Bundenbach. During a break, we can visit three highlights: the Herrenberg slate mine and a fossil museum, the Celtic settlement Altburg, and the mighty ruin Schmidtburg above the Hahnenbach valley.

After another 4 km on a main road, we reach Rhaunen. Here still stands the old town hall from 1793. Between Rhaunen and Horbruch, the cycle path runs along the Idar forest at mid-height. Here we must climb another rather steep ascent.

From Krummenau past an emperor oak, a lovely paved path leads us down to the Heinzenmühle, right over a bridge and then back up to Horbruch. Across meadows, we reach Hochscheid, where we encounter the Roman road. Behind Hochscheid, the cycle route skirts the railway loading station "An der Zolleiche."

From here, it continues towards Hinzerath. Along the way, we see the Stumpfer Turm of Hinzerath on the B 327. Very close by is the Belginum Archaeology Park - a Celtic-Roman excavation site with a museum. A detour there is definitely worthwhile. In Hinzerath, the cycle path meets the very young Dhron and now accompanies this stream to the Mosel valley. Past the Baldenau castle ruin, the only water castle in the Hunsrück, and through Bischofsdhron, we come to the center of the middle Hunsrück - Morbach.

Here, the Telephone Museum and the historic oil mill "Schmausemühle" invite you to linger. From Morbach, we ride towards Bernkastel and turn left behind a bridge onto a solid farm road towards Rapperath. Behind Rapperath, after the Hammer bridge, we follow a forest path past the settlement Dörrwiese, the Reinhardsmühle, then to the Walholzkirche, and finally up to Hunolstein.

In this place, the ruins on a tall quartzite cone testify to an impressive castle complex from 1190. We cycle to Gräfendhron. First along a little-used main road, then from the Papiermühle via a beautiful quiet farm road, always following the course of the Dhron, we reach our destination, Neumagen-Dhron, Germany's oldest wine town on the Mosel. In the last kilometers, steep Mosel vineyards already accompany us.

Observe traffic rules, pay attention to other road users, and ride at an appropriate speed, especially on descents. Be considerate of other cyclists and pedestrians.

Packed lunches and water bottles are recommended, as there are few dining options along the way.

Visit a few of the highlights along the way such as the historic copper mine, the Celtic settlement Altburg, or the Baldenau castle ruin.

By car, Fischbach-Weierbach is reached via the B270 or B41, which connect the town with the federal motorway network: the nearest motorway exits are the A61 exit Nahetal triangle (Bad Kreuznach), the A62 exit Birkenfeld, and the A6 exit Kaiserslautern East.

Parking spaces at Fischbach-Weierbach station.

Fischbach station is on the Nahe railway line Saarbrücken - Mainz. Neumagen-Dhron is on the route of the RadBusse BurgenBus, Middle Mosel, and Upper Middle Mosel routes.

ADFC regional map Palatinate North/Hunsrück/Nahe

www.bike-region-hunsrueck-nahe.de

www.radwanderland.de
Suggestions, observations, or defects? Contact by email: radwege@lbm.rlp.de