Taunus
Taunus is the old Latin name for the hilly region just north of Frankfurt, bordered by the rivers Rhein, Main, Lahn and Nidda. Its highest point, the Großer Feldberg, is a familiar name for road cyclists, especially thanks to the classic UCI road race held here every year on May 1. But there’s a lot more to Taunus than just that climb. Once you're out of the city, a wide network of quiet, winding roads unfolds. The hills are dotted with sleepy villages, medieval relics, and an impressive number of castles.
With so much variety in the landscape, no two rides feel the same. The highest parts of Taunus sit just north of Frankfurt, roughly between Oberursel and Schmitten. This is where you’ll see the most riders on a Sunday. To the east, the hills roll gently through farmland. The north is more rugged, with steep valleys and plenty of switchback climbs. Out west, the iconic Upper Middle Rhine Valley takes over, with endless views and castles perched on every ridge.
The region is full of contrasts. Frankfurt is packed with riding clubs, bike shops and places to stay, and it’s well connected across Europe. But ride just a bit into the heart of Taunus and it feels a world away. The roads go quiet, the traffic disappears, and you can pedal for kilometers without seeing another soul.
Whether you're after an easy ride or a tough day in the saddle, Taunus has the terrain for it. From sharp ramps to long winding climbs, fast descents to peaceful valleys rich in history and nature, it’s all right here.
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Best time to ride
Spring in Taunus is always a bit unpredictable. You can get anything between warm sunny days and snow showers. It usually rains a lot in April, even though the temperatures are already relatively pleasant. By June, it’s usually heating up fast.
July and August bring the most stable weather situations, with usually pleasant and dry climate. September is usually still quite dry, but the temperatures drop significantly.
The winters in Taunus can be harsh, so between October and March the weather is often less than ideal for road cycling.
Where to stay
Base Towns
Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the transport hub in the middle of Germany, so very easy to reach by car, train or plane. The city has many hotels and bike shops and serves as a good base to explore the highest parts of Taunus around the Großer Feldberg.
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Accommodations (9)
Places in Taunus that welcome you and your bike.
B&B Hotel Wetzlar
Nobody bats an eyelid here if you roll your bike right into your room. Maybe lacking a bit in charme, but the rooms are clean and affordable, so it's a good base for those that just want to sleep and ride. The breakfast buffet is decent, too. Bikes can also be parked in the covered and lockable bicycle room.
H+ Hotel Wiesbaden Niedernhausen
Conveniently located next to the highway A3 and a good gateway to the hills. There's climbs of all gradients and lengths just outside the door. It's one of the bigger and more affordable hotels in the area.
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How to get there
- By car: Autobahn 3 (A3) is the main arteria for car traffic between Benelux and Austria and runs straight through Taunus. Take any exit between Limburg and Hofheim and you will find yourself right in the Taunus hills.
- By train: Frankfurt Central Station is one of the best connected railway hubs of Germany. From here, regional trains such as the S2, S3, S4 or RB towards Limburg take you straight into Taunus. To reach the Western part of Taunus along the Rhine valley, it's best to take the regional train from Frankfurt towards Koblenz or Neuwied, with plenty of stops and great views along the way.
- By plane: Frankfurt International Airport is served from all over the world. It's less than an hour ride from here into the hills, or you simply take a train via Frankfurt Central Station.
Bike Rentals (1)
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Shops (9)
Assos Store
Premium bike apparel store focused on jerseys and bibs. Not cheap but high-end quality.
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Cafes & bars (8)
Altstadt-Café
Old-fashioned German café with great cakes in a lovely setting. The village of Runkel is worth a visit alone, this café and the famous ice-cream parlour is just literally the icing on the cake.
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Popular Climbs (20)
Balduinstein
1115m | 89m | 8%
Balduinstein is a dreamy village on the banks of river Lahn which boasts two castles. One is down in the village, the other is on the top of the hill that this roads lead up to. Just follow the signs towards "Schaumburg" if you'd like to extend the climbing fun a little bit longer. The natural tunnel carved into the rock of the hillside is a photogenic highlight.
Burg Hohenstein
1349m | 128m | 9.5%
You either hate it or love it. This climb is ridiculously steep and leads up to a beautiful castle. It's not allowed for cars, so you have the whole width of the road for yourself. You'll need it as you'll be weaving across just to keep forward momentum. This climb is completely optional on any route, because there are gentler alternatives. Only cyclists that want to test themselves go up here voluntarily.
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Cycling Routes (10)
Feldberg Hinterland
55.8km | 1168m | Moderate
Most people climb up to Feldberg from the south, but this loop takes you up to the highest Taunus hill from the north and shows you just how beautiful its hinterland is. Quiet little villages, low-traffic roads, challenging climbs and great views wait for you on this ride.
Waldbahn und Saalburg
46.3km | 469m | Easy
A gentle ride with two rolling hills, perfect to get warmed up for the more serious climbing the Taunus has on offer. Also suited for a more relaxed afternoon ride. Both climbs have very little traffic and never get too steep.
Best of the East
121.5km | 1488m | Hard
This hilly route takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of eastern Taunus. There's plenty of hills to climb and lovely little villages to look at. A definite highlight is Braunfels, the medieval gem. This is a good choice for a coffee stop in the shade of the castle.
Loop du France
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Loop du France
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Loop du France
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Map of Taunus - 49 pins
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