Walking, Hiking, Cycling, Parachuting, Boating, and Wine Festivals
The lovely nature of the Spessart in Bavaria encourages outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, parachuting, and boating to balance cultural sightseeing and wine sampling.
Guided Town Walks in Miltenberg on the Main in Bavaria
From May to October, on Wednesday and Saturday at 10:30 am, the tourist office in Miltenberg conducts guided walking tours of the town.
Countryside Hikes in the Spessart, Germany
The Römerweg (Romans Route) is a 19-km (12-mile) circular route leading from the Marktplatz in Miltenberg. It is marked with a yellow R and includes historical sites associated with the Romans (and Celts) in addition to marvelous views of the Main Valley.
The Fränkischer Rotweingwanderweg (Franconian Red Wine Hiking Route), is around 50 km (30 miles) and usually divided into 5 stages. It follows the Main upstream from Großwallstadt to Miltenberg and passes famous red wine producing areas such as Klingenberg and Bürgstadt.
Cycling in the Bavarian Spessart-Main-Odenwald
Bicycles can be rented in Aschaffenburg from Fahrradstation am Hauptbahnhof, tel 06021-374-288; in Amorbach from Eichhorn, tel 09373-2328; and in Wertheim from Zweiradfachgeschäft Jürgen Baumann, Neben-Neugasse 5, tel 09342-1214, or from Bike und Sports, Mühlenstraße 53, tel 09342-913161.
The ADFC Aschaffenburg, Manfred Röllinghoff, Höhenweg 12, tel 06021-66395, arranges cycling tours in the region on most Sundays. The routes range from easy to very difficult and are usually to interesting historical sights in the region.
On many weekends, Michael Roth, Mühlenstraße 48, Wertheim, tel 09342-91-7576, conducts guided cycling tours starting from Wertheim.
Parachuting Over the Spessart in Germany
For parachuting jumps including tandem jumps, contact Fallschirm Sprungzentrum, Flugplatz Mainbullau, 63897 Miltenberg, tel 09371-90-390.
Horse-Drawn Carriages from Miltenberg in Bavaria
In Miltenberg, horse-drawn carriage rides are offered ranging from a 25-minute ride through the old town to half-day trips to nearby Amorbach. For information and reservations contact Siegfried Ihmig, Mainzer Straße 15, 63897 Miltenberg, tel 09371-8778 or 0173-521-1544.
Boating and Kayaking on the Main and Tauber Rivers
Rowing and pedal boats can be rented in Miltenberg from Dieter Fürst, Steingässerstraße 50, tel 09371-1507 or 0171-697-0656.
In Wertheim, kayaks can be rented from Inge Schiffler, Danziger Straße 29, tel 09342-84-687.
Riverboats on the Main from Aschaffenburg, Miltenberg, and Wertheim
Most major towns along the Main offer cruises ranging from hour-long local cruises to daytrips to further destinations. The widest choice is available from Miltenberg and Wertheim. The season is generally from April to September with more cruises over weekends and none on Monday.
- On a quiet day, double-check whether the boat will depart on a specific time or only after enough people have boarded.
In Aschaffenburg, contact Aschaffenburger Personenfahrt, Ruhlandstraße 5, tel 06021-87-288. In Miltenberg and Wertheim, contact Reederei Henneberger, Veitshöchheimer Personenschifffahrt, Mainanlagen, Miltenberg, tel 09371-3330.
Wine Festivals in the Spessart-Main-Odenwald, Germany
Wine plays a major role in the economy and culture of the Main region and most towns with a wine industry has at least one annual wine festival – the exact dates are available from local tourist offices.
Famous wine festivals include Miltenberg (mid-May, mid-July, mid-September, and end September to early October), Klingenberg (August), and Wertheim (August).
Hotels and restaurants in the Spessart are generally far cheaper than those in larger and better-known towns. Further sights in the Spessart-Main-Odenwald region worth exploring include Miltenberg with magnificent half-timbered houses, the romantic Schloss Mespelbrunn Castle, Amorbach with important Baroque and Rococo buildings, Aschaffenburg with its Renaissance palace, and Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers.
Originally published on August 11, 2007.
