Valley or canal – the choice is yours! Regnitz Cycle Route

This riverside trail is ideal for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Whether you choose the valley or canal option, this leisurely tour will take you to a number of cultural highlights.

Follow in the footsteps of Albrecht Dürer and rich patrician families in Nuremberg's old quarter, before following the river Pegnitz to Fürth. Two rivers converge at this point to form the river Regnitz. At this point, you have to choose whether to take the long-distance cycle route right through the Regnitz valley or the section along the Main-Danube Canal that runs parallel to the river and has very little traffic. The two routes can also be combined or cycled as a circuit. Meadows and renaturalised stretches of the river are features of the route up to Bamberg where there's plenty of opportunity to relax and savour some delicious regional specialities. Terrain: this long-distance cycle route is mostly on flat asphalt paths with just a few steep climbs. Predominantly traffic-free, the canal route is quieter and therefore ideally suited for groups and family tours. Scenery: the landscape is dominated by several nature reserves including the Hassberg hills (home to a number of castles), Franconian Switzerland and Steigerwald Forest with its wooded hills. The Regnitz meanders through unspoilt riverside forests and some rare sandy areas, while cut-off sections of the river offer great tranquillity.

• Length: 85 kilometres (valley route), 75 kilometres (canal route)
• Starts: Nuremberg
• Ends: Bamberg/Bischberg
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, easily managed with children, majority of route suitable for trailers