Queich Valley Cycleway

The varied route follows the course of the Queich from its source at Hauenstein to its confluence with the Rhine. From Hauenstein, the designated cycle path heads downhill through the idyllic Queich valley and into Wilgartswiesen en route to Rinnthal. Here you cycle a short distance along a country road before returning to a designated cycle path via Sarnstall to Annweiler. Here, the path runs right through the historic old town of this extremely picturesque little settlement. You can explore the impressive castle that was one of Emperor Barbarossa’s favourites. Trifels Castle, the most distinguished imperial stronghold of the Staufer era, stands high above Annweiler and became famous as the site where Richard the Lionheart, King of England, was imprisoned in the Middle Ages. You then cycle alongside the old B10 on a designated cycle path to Queichhambach, followed by a section on the country road to Albersweiler, before rejoining a cycle path to the pretty wine village of Siebeldingen. From here, the route remains alongside the Queich as it passes through Godramstein on the way to Landau. Traversing the centre of the bustling shopping and university town, the route continues to La Ola water park, the Southern Palatinate’s ultimate wellness destination. With a refreshing wave pool, a warm thermal pool and Turkish hammam, the water park is the ideal place to take a break and recharge your batteries. The route then continues through Offenbach and Neumühle to the Ottersheimer Teilungswehr weir. With a bit of luck, you may spot some magnificent storks in the meadows around the Queich. Take a right here and follow the forest track. After 400 metres, turn left at the next fork onto the forest nature trail. Continue on the forest nature trail along the Spiegelbach river to Knittelsheimer Mühle forest lodge. The quaint guest house is the perfect spot for hungry cyclists to sample regional delicacies in the pleasant beer garden. After a good rest, you continue in the direction of Bellheim, cross the national road and cycle along the northern outskirts of Bellheim as far as the playground at Schützenhaus restaurant. Turn left here and follow the path for approx. 800 metres north to the edge of the forest. After another 500 metres, turn right and follow the path to the country road. Here, you can fit in a detour to Holzmühle in the north, where you can visit the local café or take a look at an interesting private exhibition. If you opt to omit the detour, continue south along the edge of the forest for a short distance and then head left to the town of Germersheim am Rhein in the east. On the way, take the underpass under the B9 and then turn right. Immediately afterwards, turn left at the entrance to the Südpfalz-Kaserne barracks and pass the large car park and the barracks itself. Follow the cycle path straight ahead until you reach a roundabout. Continue straight ahead on the cycle path until the next roundabout. At the second roundabout, continue on the cycle path but cross to the other side of the road at the grocery shop (Serpa Markt) and continue straight over the roundabout. Pass the German Red Cross and continue straight ahead, straight over the third roundabout into Josef-Probst-Straße. Follow the road and turn right onto Richthofenstraße, then turn left into An der Stengelkaserne and continue straight ahead. Turn left into Klosterstraße, following this street until you come to Ludwigsring, where you turn right into Zeughausstraße. Here you pass the Deutsches Straßenmuseum, Germany’s only museum devoted to the history of roads and road engineering. This street becomes Rudolf-von-Habsburgstraße. You then come to a roundabout where you take the second exit to reach the underpass leading under the S-Bahn station. Continue straight on past Rhenania restaurant into Werftstrasse and turn right to reach the end of the tour by passing under the bridge over the Rhine on the B35 into Alte Schiffsbrückenstraße.

It is worth spending some time exploring Germersheim. Take a guided tour through the historic fortifications, underground passageways and park-like parade grounds, and discover the unique appeal of this extraordinary town. Or enjoy a magical trip on an electric boat through the primeval Rheinaue wetlands.