Luther Trail Tour Tip: 'Fortified Castles' – Bad Rodach – Heldburg Fortress – Coburg Fortress

You begin your tour in the Bavarian town of Bad Rodach and follow the cycle route south through the little town, past the clinic and the Stöckenteich bathing lake into the thick forest of the former inner German border area that is today known as the ‘Green Belt’. Follow the Kolonnen Trail and turn west at the foot of the 405 m high Hohe Stein mountain. After around 3 km, you arrive at the historic Heldburg Fortress, also known as the ‘Franconian Light’.

Cycle on through the town of Heldburg through the border forest, past the Schnepfenbrunnen spring and back into the picturesque Rodach Valley. After leaving the small town of Gauerstadt and passing through Neumühle you enjoy an idyllic ride through fields and meadows to the village of Breitenau. Continue north through Großwalbur and Kleinwalbur until after the town of Meeder you pick up the train tracks again and follow them south. In the distance, you can already make out the mighty Coburg Fortress that is also known as the ‘Franconian Crown’.

Just before you get to Coburg, we recommend a quick stop in Beiersdorf to visit Callenberg Castle. After crossing the Goldbergsee reservoir, you enter the city of Coburg via Neuses. The route takes you through the historic city centre, across the market square, past St Moriz Church and along the edge of the castle grounds to the fortress itself.