History and nature around the old border: Rhön Cycle Route

For more than 40 years the border between the two Germanies ran straight through the Rhön hills. This is one of the reasons why the countryside in the Rhön biosphere reserve remains so unspoilt.

The Rhön Cycle Route runs for 180 kilometres through a varied landscape of hills, peaks and valleys from Bad Salzungen to Hammelburg. The first section is easy to manage. It is only when you get to the Lange Rhön area that there are some challenging climbs. An interesting attraction along the way is the medieval town of Vacha with its bridge over the Werra and historical town hall. The Point Alpha Memorial Site serves as a reminder of the division of the two German states. Other highlights include spa towns such as Bad Neustadt and Bad Kissingen. The tour ends in Hammelburg with fantastic views of the beautiful Rhön hills from the keep of Saaleck Castle. Terrain: the route is predominantly flat with mainly asphalt paths. There's just one very steep gradient to negotiate when crossing the Lange Rhön. The wide paths are mainly traffic tree. The start and finish points are easy to get to by rail. Scenery: in the north the route runs through broad pastures, chalk grassland and dense beech forests. The Lange Rhön conservation area features plateaus and moorland, while pastures, hedgerows and forests await cyclists in the south.

• Length: 180 kilometres
• Starts: Bad Salzungen
• Ends: Hammelburg
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, steep gradients