Sleeping Beauty to Nibelungs – Hessian Long-distance Cycle Route R4

The Hessian Long-distance Cycle Route R4 runs from the River Weser to the Neckar – crossing the German state of Hesse from north to south. At first, you ride through the land of the Brothers Grimm, encountering traces of their fairytale stories such as Sleeping Beauty and Frau Holle. You roam through diverse nature such as the North Hessian Mountains, the Vogelsberg volcanic mountain range, and the fertile plains of the Wetterau. You visit countless typical Hessian old towns, such as Fritzlar and Asfeld, that boast authentic half-timbered buildings. Your adventure concludes in the heart of the Odenwald, the hunting ground of the mythical Nibelungs. There are several Siegfried fountains here, where the famous legendary hero is said to have died.

The Hessian Long-distance Cycle Route R4 runs mainly along tarmac cycle paths and roads, but there are also stretches along bumpy surfaces. A classic touring bike or even a gravel bike would be best; a racing bike is only suitable for some parts at most. The trail follows river valleys such as the Schwalm, Nidda, and Mümling, but there are also many metres of altitude to conquer. After all, you cross low mountain ranges such as the Vogelsberg and Odenwald. Your climbing efforts are always rewarded with unforgettable views, however. En route, you visit Ulrichstein, the highest town in Hesse, too.

Hesse has an extensive network of cycle paths, including nine different official long-distance cycle routes, including the R4. These numbered paths link together at various points and sometimes overlap. You can easily combine the R4 with almost all other Hessian long-distance cycle routes, as it links up with R1, R2, R3, R5, R6, R7, and R9.

I have divided the route of the Hessian Long-distance Cycle Route R4 into six daily stages for you, each of which ends in a place with overnight accommodation. Both your starting point in Bad Karlshafen on the Weser and your destination in Hirschhorn on the Neckar are easy to reach with the Deutsche Bahn. Getting there and back by train is the easiest option. In addition, the route intersects with other Hessian cycle paths and various train stations, so you can flexibly cycle only parts of the route.