Fairytale half-timbered houses, legendary viewpoints and castles steeped in history – this three-day adventure on the Hercules-Wartburg cycle path takes you through spectacular scenery and history. Although the stages are mostly flat, you’ll sometimes encounter significant inclines, especially on the climbs to the Hercules Monument and Wartburg Castle. It's best to have done at least some training before you set off on this Tour. Alternatively, you could ride an e-bike.

The first stage starts in Kassel and takes you through the Bergpark Wilhelmshoehe high above the city to Kassel's landmark – the 18th-century Hercules Monument. In clear weather, the view over the rocky cascades is breathtaking, extending far beyond the city.

From here, you head along Märchenstraße (fairytale street) and join a path through gentle hills. You’ll pass through villages with old half-timbered houses, churches from the early Middle Ages and castles amidst green meadows. You’ll ride across the Hessian mountains, reaching Thuringia on the third day. Your journey ends in Eisenach where you can visit Wartburg, a castle which played an important role in history; Martin Luther translated the Bible here.

If you’re interested in history, it’s worth stopping and exploring various places along this route in more detail. If you’re more interested in the present, you can simply enjoy the wonderful scenery and nature.

You can easily arrive and depart by train. Two stages finish at guesthouses, whilst one finishes at the campsite near Creuzburg. Unfortunately, there aren’t any campsites on the first stage. Make sure you reserve your accommodation in advance. If you have enough time, it’s well worth exploring the cities of Kassel and Eisenach. There’s plenty to discover on the journey.