Along picturesque rivers, impressive reservoirs and through deep forests, the Hessian Long Distance Cycle Route R6 takes you from the Waldecker Land region in northern Hesse to the southern state border near Lampertheim. You cross many different landscapes including the Kellerwald low mountain range, the Taunus peaks and the Hessisches Ried Valley, and discover some of the most beautiful corners of Hesse.

The bike path is mostly paved with some gravel sections that are easy to ride. In northern Hesse, however, it is rarely flat and lots of climbing awaits but you’ll be rewarded with great views and descents. Some of the unpaved sections may be problematic if you ride a road bike with narrow tyres. A classic touring bike is better suited for a Tour on the R6, but you can also have fun here with a gravel bike.

I have divided the 404-kilometre (251 mi) route into six daily stages for you. The first stages are mountainous – it only flattens out during the last stage through the Rhine Valley. Due to the challenging elevation, this route isn’t best suited to children. Fit cyclists or e-bikers can look forward to a varied Tour through the entire state of Hesse. Along the way, there are exciting sights and dreamy places worth discovering. Lake Edersee, the Taunus and the Rhine Valley are just a few of the highlights you will remember after this Tour.

Hesse has an extensive network of bike paths, including nine different official long-distance routes. These numbered paths are linked together at various points so they’re easy to combine. For example, you can reach the starting point in Wrexen by train via Brilon or Warburg. You can arrive via the Diemel Cycle Path by bike. The destination of the last stage, Lampertheim on the Rhine, is also well connected to the rail network. Either take the train directly here or ride the short distance to Worms, where you have an even wider choice of connections. Of course, you can also get around comfortably by bike, for example, via the excellently developed and signposted Rhine Cycle Path.