There a many jewels to be unhidden in the area around Mainz. Find some of my favorite spots for sightseeing, eating, cycling, museums ... you name ist.
Start: Mainz “Römisches Theater” Lenght: Character: Mainly paved or well maintained forest paths, some climbs depending on selected route at the Lenneberg. Some sandy (get the desert feeling) streches to Heidesheim Recommended equipment: Mountainbike :-), Tourbike :-| The Lenneberg Wald is one of the most wonderful forests with the best trails in the area. There is no real work around industrial areas to get there, but it is definitely worth the ride. Coming up from Mombach you will pass the natural reserve “Großer Sand”. Do plan a stop in the center of the forest at the “Turm Mainz” for a refreshment and good food and later stroll around the Waldschloß. Look for the passage underneath the Autobahn A60 to get to Heidesheim and stay in the wine yard paths along the water supply built by “Karl the Great“ to Ingelheim where the Kaiserpfalz is worth a visit. Return on a flat track along the Rhine to Mainz.
Start Hofheim (120 m)Highest point Stauffen (451 m)
Character: Steep climbs from Eppstein to the Kaisertempel and the Mannstein. Recommended equipment: Mountain bike :-), Tour bike :-|
From Hofheim there are various alternatives to get to Eppstein, you can follow the R8 or first take the steep climb up to the Meisterturm or the alternative blue route which meanders uphill with a slight slope. Have a look at the old castle of Eppstein and do not miss the Kaisertempel from where you have a wonderful view.
If you come from direction Eppstein and Kaisertempel, continue on the hiking course and do not miss the steep turn off to the left direction “Stauffen” (451 m, you may feel like pushing your bike on the first 100 m). Continue on this path for approximately 500 m until you hit a crossing. Through the trees you can see a pathway leading to the viewpoint “Mannstein” where you should not miss the magnificent view on Frankfurt.Return via Gundelhart and from there at the cross road optional via Meisterturm (climb the treetops for a view) or even better with a long downslope along the path marked with a black rectangle to Hofheim.
Start point Wiesbaden city Kurpark (90 m) Highest point: Platte (501 m) ca. 9.4 km Total disctance: ca. 32 kmCharacter: 80% in the forest, Steady climb to reach the "Platte" Recommended equipment: Mountain bike :-), Tour bike :-| Black path: Steep climb
There are multiple ways to get to the "Platte", here is my favourite Pass the Kurpark and take the path “R” to Sonnenberg In Sonnenberg you need to ride on the main road until you reach the turn off to the Goldsteintal. Tip: Short before the street leaves the town in a slight right curve and crosses the small river(Crossing Dudenstraße/ Goldsteintal), keep going straight at the crossing on a path that looks like a dead end (this single trail is not shown on the map, please refer to the picture from Google Earth). You will have to pass a few steps down after approximately 300 m to stay next to the river. Keep going until you hit the street, pass the Schützenhaus, now keep going straight to the Hubertushütte. (recommended by "Wiesbaden geht aus"). Follow the path right next to the Goldsteinbach as far as possible, then head for the “Idsteiner Eiche” and from there on the red path with the black dot to the Kolhaas Eiche. There are many other ways to get to the Platte and as long as it takes you uphill, you can’t be wrong.
Return via Chaussehaus to Frauenstein, where you can enjoy a cool drink and good food with a splendid view on the Rheingau at the Nürnberger Hof. Alternatively pass Schloß Freudenberg (a great place to visit with the family) and have an Apple wine at the Apfelweinstube Himmelreich, also highly recommendable for a snack or try the Gutsausschank Kirschfeld just a few meters further serving excellent food.
Start point is Braubach Estimated altitude 1000 m in total Maps: Oberes Mittelrheintal 1: 50.000; ISBN 3-89446-346-5 Character: Steep climbs and slopes, partly rocky, mostly in the forest Recommended equipment: Mountain bike :-), Tour bike :-(, Hiking shoes :-)
This is a tough cookie including pushing the bike. The distance does not appear very long, but plan a day for this trip. Various sections are too steep for cycling, but the landscape and the view on the Rhine valley (UNESCO world heritage) make you forget the exhaustion. Follow the Rheinsteig sign posts except for the steep decline to St. Goarshausen. Tip: Rather turn left at the car parking near the view point and take the concrete road direction Nochern. Look for the Sport stadion at the right before you come into the village. Pass the stadion and find a path in parallel to the road which is meandering through the Feuerbach valley. Short before St. Goar you will hit the road.
There is no real alternative to this route if you want to stay in hte saddle and out of traffic
Start point Wiesbaden- Erbenheim (140 m) Highest point: Platte (501 m) Character: 50% in the forest, Steady climb to Kellerskopf (bad hill), most beautiful during blossom in April/ Mai Recommended equipment: Mountain bike :-), Tour bike :-)
Start at Erbenheim and follow the R6 until Igstadt. If you stay on R6, you will automatically reach the Platte. But here is a beautyful alternative
Tip: Turn right at Igstadt (L3039) and head for the “Wickerbach” which you follow on the right side on a wonderful trail. Do not miss it! Following this path you will pass the Hockenberger Mühle, a great place to chill out and have a snack.
Length: 60 km Start point: Hofheim/ Taunus (Altitude 120 m) Highest point: Großer Feldberg (879 m) Maps: Taunus (mittlerer Teil) ISBN 3-89446-308-2
Character: Mostly paved. Well maintained forest paths, approx. 3 km single trail Recommended equipment: Mountainbike :-); Tour bike :-(
Start from Hofheim/ Taunus which can be reached by train from Frankfurt in approx. 30 minutes (Train connections) Hofheim - Meisterturm: Climb on the 30m tower in the midst of the forrest to get a great view on the Rhein-Main area and the hillside. Fischbach: Pass along the village through fields, barns and apple trees direction Rettershof Pass Scheidhain and head direction Romberg North of Königstein, follow the cycling path If you have enough time, visit the old castle at Königstein (check opening hours)
Fuchstanz: Enjoy a cold drink and recharge before the final steep climb straight up to the top Großer Feldberg: Stretch your aching muscles, get the heartbeat back to normal and enjoy a fabulous view Test your nerves and your material on the exiting single trails back down following the hiking path with the green dot direction "Kleiner Feldberg", Rupertshain/ Eppenhain and from there to Eppstein (following the green dot)
Starting point Wiesbaden - Biebrich Castle (80 m) Highest point: Hohe Wurzel (610 m) Map: Taunus (mittlerer Teil) 1: 50.000; ISBN 3-89446-308-2 Character: Steady climbs, mostly in the forest, only a few steep and rocky streches Recommended equipment: Mountain bike :-), Tour bike :-|
Start: Schloß Biebrich (Biebrich Castle) in Wiesbaden and follow the official bike route R3 along the Rhine river to Wiesbaden-Schierstein. Pass the cozy harbour of Schierstein and turn right following the sign of the Rheinsteig direction Frauenstein, further to "Monstranzenbaum" (Car parking) and keep following the Rheinsteig sign post, pass the “Grauer Stein” to a short but steep climb to Georgenborn.
Pass Georgenborn on the main street (L3441) direction Schlangenbad and turn right at the end of the village on the hiking path “Rheinhöhenweg” which you follow until you reach the “Hohe Wurzel”. Unfortunately there is no view from this highest point of the tour.
Return to Wiesbaden as you please via “Chausseehaus” and Dorzheim or with a little detour via “Schläferskopf” - Fasanerie - Klarenthal
If you are slightly fitter than the average baby boomer, there should be no problem to enjoy these tours. Mark them on your map before you head off.
The description of the tours is kept short on purpose. It is intended to provide ideas and give a rough outline only. The distance and time required is only a very rough guideline.
How to use the information: You need the respective hiking map of the area scaled 1:50.000 Check the main direction and mark the tracks leading there (If there is a choice between a “red” footpath and a “green” cycling path, I take the “red” one) Most important: Try to follow the suggested path "Tip" supported by pictures from "Google Earth" and check for the turn offs on your map
I love cycling. My bycicle brings me to work and I consider cycling the best way to get around, to meet people, to experience the full range and beauty of nature. Having travelled in Germany, Australia and Japan I have met numerous people, encountered spontaneous conversations and got help by complete strangers more than once. Thanks to all those who offered transportation, when the tire was flat, a roof when the tent was leaking or a friendly word.
