Cycling through Germany's golden heart: Hercules-Wartburg Cycle Route

Kassel lies close to the geographical centre of Germany. It is also the start of the Hercules-Wartburg Cycle Route which links the statue of Hercules with Wartburg Castle in Thuringia.

Luckily you don't need Herculean strength to complete this tour, as the 215km route is predominantly flat. The statue of Hercules stands proudly in Kassel watching over the baroque hillside park, while Wartburg Castle sits in splendour high above Eisenach. The cycle route between them runs across Hessen and Thuringia, through the undulating Ringgau region and characteristic little medieval towns, ideal for a well-deserved break and the chance to savour specialities from both regions. Batteries fully charged, you'll now be ready to discover the many smaller attractions on offer between these two significant landmarks. Terrain: the long-distance cycle route runs on largely asphalt paths with just a few steep inclines along the way. The main route is around 100km long, but it also links up to a circular tour in the Werra valley between Creutzburg, Witzenhausen and Walburg. Scenery: the route traverses the riverscapes in the Losse, Wehre and Werra valleys. Other prominent features include the plateaus of the Ringgau region with its densely wooded slopes and the Hoher Meissner nature conservation area.

• Length: 215 kilometres, circular route
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, hilly in parts, easily managed with children, majority of route suitable for trailers