Odenwald

Odenwald, Spessart and Rhön

Three areas that are geographically linked and relatively unknown to most motorcyclists. You will find these areas behind the metropolis of Frankfurt, where it is particularly quiet and where you can enjoy motorcycling. A hilly green area rich in forests, curves, castles, ruins, river sources and mostly the fine hospitable German culture. The roads and day routes are varied and feature various sights.

The outward journey (first day) and return journey (last day) you will drive on your own initiative.

The Odenwald, Spessart and Rhon area are strung together from south to north. Today you will set off to explore the Odenwald. Odenwald is known for its quiet location and the many curves you can ride here. You will also come across various sights today in the form of castles and old characteristic villages and towns.

The route starts with a narrow road with lots of curves up through the countryside. Via the towns of Großostheim and Groß-Umstadt, which are literally huge, you drive further into the Odenwald. We pass these as quickly as possible and then sit down for a series of beautiful winding roads. These will take you to one of the top sights: Castle ruin Lindenfels. Here you can find a nice coffee stop, where you can also get a delicious Italian ice cream with a view of the castle when the weather is good.

What follows is a diversity of nice roads full of bends, with beautiful views. In the afternoon, the route takes you to Michelstadt, where the enthusiast can drive into the town to see some of the top sights of the Odenwald. 

The last part of the afternoon route is again fun and challenging, where you follow the big river Main for a few kilometres. This river is characteristic for the area and contributes greatly to the local economy.

On day route 2, you head to the northwest and drive through the Spessart and Rhön area. The Rhön area is known for its low mountain range up to ±900m. An area with beautiful views, where you regularly see gliders flying. It is in fact the cradle of gliding. The Spessart is situated east between Frankurt and Fulda and in contrast to these big busy cities, this area is very quiet. Nice to drive in and yet different from the Odenwald. Smooth roads interspersed with challenging winding stretches with regularly beautiful views at the highest parts of the route. For today, there is a short and long route available. 

The route starts off with a nice twisty section and then takes you further along the Main to the north east. You will pass some nice places again today with an old arch bridge over the water. Lohr am Mainz is also a town worth visiting with a rich history. Gradually, you climb further and further as you get closer to the Rhön area. At the Schwarzes Moor, you are already well above 800m, where you ride up and down over smooth asphalt and wide (hairpin) bends. 

The route leads through the Rhön to its literal highpoint on the Wasserkuppe. On top of this mountain, you will find a glider airfield, a huge sphere that currently serves as a lookout point over this part of the region and, for the enthusiast, even a Toboggan run. You can also choose to sit down on the terrace and enjoy the flying spectacle that takes place here. 

After the Wasserkuppe, you drive back to the hotel via many beautiful winding roads through the Spessart. Enjoy the peace, views and all the other beauty that this area has to offer. If you choose the 4-day route, you have the possibility to leave the route for a while and drive into Steinau to visit the house of the Brothers Grimm and/or the nearby castle in the old town centre.

This dayrout takes you entirely through the Spessart area and past some of the top sights, such as Gelnhausen and Steinau. The route starts with a beautiful rolling road, where you will pass the Kahlquelle after an hour's drive. Pay attention here, it is only 20m away from the road and hidden in the forest. An example, as you find more in the region. Small rivers that spontaneously start in the forest and gradually find their way and become larger. 

Via nice roads, the route leads you to Gelnhausen. A historic town that is definitely worth a visit for the enthusiast. The Kaiserpfalz and Hexenturm are two of the sights in this town. The route now continues and crosses the old centre of Steinau an der Straße. In the centre, you will find the home of the Brothers Grimm, where many fairy tales were written in the past. Only a little further on you can visit Schloß Steinau and enjoy the terraces in the old town. 

Apart from the sights, this day route is of course flanked by some nice and challenging roads. it is full of enjoyment of the surroundings from the motorbike. Also today, you follow the Main for a while, but now on the other side by crossing the river at Lohr am Main with a view of the old arch bridge. If you have time left at this point, a coffee stop in the centre of Lohr am Main is recommended. 

After crossing the Main, the route makes an extra loop south of the hotel through Odenwald, because it is so nice here!

This day route is only for the 5-day trip.