Trail Name: Winzer und Weinstuben Tour
Trail Type: Short distance trail; on almost exclusively paved bike paths or roads, well maintained, but the route itself is not marked.
Length: 19 kilometers / 12 miles
Convenient to: Darmstadt or Heidelberg, Germany
Marking: None
Trail Description: A short, flat route through three of the most famous wine towns in the Hessische Bergstrasse wine region, focusing on the wineries and places offering wine on menus.
Trailhead(s):
Zwingenberg: Train Station on Rieslingstrasse
Heppenheim: Marktplatz
Parking:
Zwingenberg: Rieslingstr, on the extension just south of the underpass
Heppenheim:
Stadionstr (x Karl Marx Strasse), Freibad parking
Nibelungenstr, by the stadium north end, or Ludwigstr, by the stadium south end.
Public Transportation Options:
Rail: A Deutsche Bahn regional train on a north-south axis connects Zwingenberg and Heppenheim through Bensheim, and also connects with major cities further south such as Heidelberg and further north to Darmstadt and Frankfurt. Note that select trains conveniently have special wagons for bicycle transport.
Suggested Stages: Not Applicable
Trail Itinerary-Reference Points: (North to South)
Zwingenberg: Underpass on Rieslingstr, Darmstadterstr/B3, Wetzbach, Obergasse, Untergasse, Scheuergasse, Melibokusstr, fields; Auerbach: Schillerstr, Brueckweg, carefully cross B3, Burgstr, Schlossstr, Weidgasse, Bachgasse/L3103; Bensheim: B3/Darmstadterstr, Saarstr, Wilhelmstr, B3/Darmstadterstr; Hauptstr; Bahnhofstr, Promenadenstr, Augartenstr, Grieselstr; Friedhofstr, Gronauerstr (out and back), Hemsbergstr, Arminstr, Heidelbergstr/B3; Heppenheim: Darmstaedterstr-Kettelerstr, Kaltererstr, Karl Marx Strasse, Ludwigstr, Heinrichstr, Hermannstr, Marienstr, B400/Siegfriedstr, Kleine Bach, Liesengasse, Schunkengasse, Marktplatz
Representative Trail Photos:
Restrooms:
Bensheim: Haus am Markt, Marktplatz; Buergerbuero (Tourism Information Office), Hauptstr 39; Bahnhof, (Train Station) garage; Cemetery, Friedhofstr
Heppenheim: Kirchengasse (near the church), but not always open.
Attractions on or near Trail:
The Heimat Museums, in Bensheim, Heppenheim and Zwingenberg, all have information and exhibits about wine-making in this region.
Tasting along the Trail:
Zwingenberg: At the start, Weingut Rebenhof, on Rieslingstrasse
Heppenheim: close to the end, Viniversum in the Bergstrasser Winzer winery, on Darmstaedterstrasse
Many other wineries in between, as well as many bars and cafes offering good local wine selections.
Alternative Options:
Running: This trail is completely suitable for long distance runners
Hiking: Weinlagenweg, a 28-kilometer hiking trail covering both the towns and vineyards of this area.
Car: Ferienstrasse Bergstrasse, is a scenic car touring route from Darmstadt to Heidelberg, and includes the towns on this route.
Additional Information:
Regional: http://www.germany.travel/de/freizeit-erholung/ferienstrassen/ferienstrasse-bergstrasse.html
Comments:
While short and flat, this easy trail is not particularly suited for younger children because of some of the busy streets it crosses or follows (briefly) along.
Use the link above for mapping and/or GPX information in order to follow this route.