Radtour am Neckar: von Heidelberg nach Eberbach

Distance: approx. 42km | Duration: 3-4 hours (pure travel time: approx. 2.5 hours)
Difficulty: Easy to medium | Elevation profile: predominantly flat with gentle climbs
Route type: Asphalted cycle path, partly car-free, partly quiet country roads, signposted
Suitable for: Trekking bikes, E-bikes, touring bikes
Start: Heidelberg Old Town
Special features: 4 castles, river landscape, old towns, restaurants along the way
Refreshment stops: Neckargemünd, Neckarsteinach, Hirschhorn, Eberbach
Best time to visit: April to October

The tour begins in the heart of Heidelberg, directly on the banks of the Neckar River near the Old Bridge. Those who wish can take a detour to the castle or the Philosopher's Walk – with stunning views of the city. From the banks of the Neckar, follow the Neckar Valley Cycle Path (R4) upstream. The cycle path leads directly along the water, past small boat docks, with the Königstuhl mountain in the background.

Stage 1: Heidelberg – Neckargemünd (approx. 12 km)
After leaving Heidelberg, the route continues through the green surroundings of Ziegelhausen, past old mills and dense riverside forest. The route is paved and car-free, with many lovely rest stops right by the river. A break is worthwhile in Neckargemünd, a charming half-timbered town: the old town with its market square and cafés, a view of the confluence of the Elsenz and Neckar rivers, and the opportunity to shop for regional products.

Stage 2: Neckargemünd – Hirschhorn (approx. 14 km)
The route continues winding along the right bank of the Neckar, nestled between steep, wooded slopes. A particularly beautiful section is the passage near Neckarsteinach, known as the "Town of Four Castles": Hinterburg, Mittelburg, Vorderburg, and Schadeck Castle (also called the "Swallow's Nest"). A short climb takes you to Schadeck Castle, which can also be reached on foot – with fantastic views of the Neckar and the surrounding hills. The route continues on a mixture of bike path and quiet side road towards Hirschhorn, the "Pearl of the Neckar Valley." The town nestles in a narrow bend of the Neckar, dominated by the well-preserved Hirschhorn Castle.

Hier empfiehlt sich eine längere Pause: Altstadt mit Kloster, Fachwerkhäusern und Neckarpromenade Möglichkeit zum Einkehren.

Etappe 3: Hirschhorn – Eberbach (ca. 15 km)
Der letzte Streckenabschnitt führt durch das ruhigste Teilstück der Tour. Der Radweg verläuft parallel zur Bahnlinie, teils direkt am Fluss, teils etwas zurückversetzt. Die Landschaft ist hier besonders reizvoll: dichter Wald, ruhige Flussauen, und kaum Verkehr. Auf der linken Neckarseite liegen kleine Ortschaften wie Neckarhausen und Pleutersbach, die man über Brücken oder Fähren erreichen kann. In Eberbach angekommen, bietet sich ein schöner Abschluss: Spaziergang durch die historische Altstadt, Besuch des Thalheimschen Hauses oder des Naturparks Neckartal-Odenwald, Eisdiele oder Biergarten direkt am Neckarufer

Stage 3: Hirschhorn – Eberbach (approx. 15 km)
The final stretch of the tour leads through the quietest part of the route. The cycle path runs parallel to the railway line, partly directly along the river, partly set back. The landscape here is particularly charming: dense forest, peaceful river meadows, and hardly any traffic. On the left bank of the Neckar River lie small towns such as Neckarhausen and Pleutersbach, which can be reached via bridges or ferries. Arriving in Eberbach, the tour offers a lovely conclusion: a stroll through the historic old town, a visit to the Thalheimsches Haus or the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park, an ice cream parlor, or a beer garden right on the banks of the Neckar.

Highlights for the road:
Old Bridge & Castle View in Heidelberg
Half-timbered romanticism in Neckargemünd
Four Castles View in Neckarsteinach
Hirschhorn Castle
Eberbach River Promenade