Discover Aschaffenburg: Culture and Cycling Routes

Aschaffenburg is an ideal destination for a stay combining culture, exploring the city and excursions in the surrounding region. Two different perspectives can help with planning: the city’s architectural and art history, and cycling and hiking routes in Aschaffenburg and the district. This allows you to consider city attractions and regional routes separately and choose the focus of your stay.

Culture and architectural history in Aschaffenburg

Johannisburg Palace was built between 1605 and 1614 by Prince-Archbishop Johann Schweikard von Kronberg. It is considered one of the most important architectural works of the late Renaissance in Germany. The collegiate basilica houses an Ottonian crucifix from the 10th century. The KirchnerHAUS Museum focuses on Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s childhood: since 2013, it has served as a documentation centre on the subject and as a forum for exhibitions related to Kirchner.

The three places offer different points of focus: Johannisburg Palace represents architectural history, the collegiate basilica is home to a historic sacred work of art, and the KirchnerHAUS explores an artist and exhibitions of his work. If you include culture in your stay, this selection offers a range of themes rather than focusing on just one period or art form.

Cycling routes in the city and district

The Main Cycle Route leads into Aschaffenburg city centre via the cycle path on the Willigis Bridge. A different route perspective is offered by the northern route, “Grünes Rad” (“Green Cycle Route”): it passes the historic parks of Grossmutterwiese and Schöntal and goes by Johannisburg Palace. This makes it possible to distinguish between a route towards the city centre and a tour with stops at parks and the palace.

In the district of Aschaffenburg, the family-friendly Main Cycle Route runs through the Main Valley and is well signposted. The Kahl–Spessart Cycle Route is a signposted route through the district’s landscapes. In the eastern Hochspessart, four challenging cross-country trails are designated as Bikewald Spessart routes. The options therefore differ in focus: a route through the Main Valley, one through the district’s countryside, or challenging cross-country trails.

Digital tour offerings are also part of finding your way around the region: the Denk mal – Rad mal app offers adventure cycling tours in nature in the district, combined with stories, quizzes and information about sights. Before travelling, check whether the app and its digital content are available. This lets you take the offering into account in your planning without confusing it with the signposted cycling routes.

Hiking and scenery in the Spessart

In the district of Aschaffenburg, Spessart Routes 1, 2 and 3 pass through the region; they have been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” Quality Trail distinction by the German Hiking Association four times. The Eselsweg is a multi-day tour in the district. There are also more than 30 hiking tours along the cultural trails of the Archaeological Spessart Project. As the number of cultural trails may change, it is advisable to check the current offering before choosing a specific tour.

The Spessart in the district of Aschaffenburg is part of Germany’s largest contiguous mixed-forest area. For trip planning, this offers a different regional focus from a bike ride through the Main Valley or a visit to the city’s cultural attractions. If you are planning several days in the surrounding area, you can use the designated routes to choose between cycling, hiking and multi-day excursions.

Getting there and practical information

Aschaffenburg station is served by regional trains, Regional Express trains, InterCity trains and InterCityExpress trains. Timetables may change, so check connections for your travel date. Schlossplatz and Johannisburg Palace are less than a ten-minute walk from the station. This provides a specific guide to reaching these two destinations after you arrive.

Guided tours of Aschaffenburg’s old town and the Schönbusch English landscape park are adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility. If you are planning to join one, check its availability in advance. Local cuisine can also help you get your bearings: many inns and hotels in the district of Aschaffenburg serve Franconian specialities and Äppelwoi from local cider presses.

Discover more destinations: Haibach, Kahl, Johannesberg, Kleinostheim, Krombach, Karlstein am Main, Geiselbach, Mespelbrunn.

Return to the main travel overview: Aschaffenburg.