Lahn Cycling Route (Lahnradweg)
Bad Ems and Lahn River. Photo by Leesle / IStock
Route Overview
- Total Length: 250 kilometers
- Location: Spans three German states - North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate
- Starting Point: Lahn source in the Rothaar Mountains
- Ending Point: Lahnstein, where the Lahn flows into the Rhine
- Quality Rating: ADFC (German Cycling Club) certified quality cycling route
Trail Characteristics
- Surface: Mostly paved
- Traffic: Predominantly car-free
- Terrain: Primarily flat with occasional short uphill and downhill sections
- Difficulty: Suitable for both leisure cyclists and more ambitious riders
- Navigation: Follows the Lahn River closely throughout most of the route
- Crosses another popular long distance bike route - Mittellandroute (D4)
Key Destinations and Highlights
Cultural Points of Interest
-
Marburg
- Historic old town
- Landgrave Castle
- Traditional university city atmosphere
-
Giessen
- University city
-
Wetzlar
- Connection to Goethe and "The Sorrows of Young Werther"
-
Weilburg
- Renaissance castle
- Germany's oldest navigable ship tunnel
-
Bad Ems
- Germany's oldest health resort
- Emser Therme (thermal baths)
Notable Sections
- Limburg to Bad Ems: New bridges keep cyclists close to the river
- Geilnau to Laurenburg: Challenging section with steep hillside passage (train alternative available)
- Lahnstein: Historic endpoint where the Lahn meets the Rhine
Important Notes for 2025
- Major railway construction work planned on the Lahn Valley Railway
- The Lahn cycle path is completely closed in both directions between Obernhof and Nassau from November 5, 2024 to March 31, 2025
- Replacement bus services will not accommodate bicycles
Recommendations
- Plan alternative transport options during railway construction periods
- Consider breaking the journey into sections
- Take advantage of cultural and culinary offerings along the route
- Allow time for detours to historical sites and thermal baths