If you love biking, Germany offers many different regions to explore. One of the more beautiful ones is in the heart of Thuringia. In the time-honored city of Jena, the sights within the city are a real eye-catcher. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to those, but take a look outside the city limits. The beautiful landscape around Jena can be explored in many different ways. On the one hand, the hiking trails, such as the SaaleHorizontale, are ideal for exploring. On the other hand, there is the Saale itself, which can be explored by canoe, for example.
Jena — A Cyclist’s Paradise
If that’s what you’re looking for, the cycle paths around Jena are ideal. Explore the sights around Jena and, at the end of the day, return to a comfortable bed at the Schwarzer Bär pleasantly exhausted. To make it a little easier for you to organise your Jena bike tour, we will not only show you the advantages of the city but also present some routes that cyclists of all kinds can enjoy.
Our hotel offers a number of services to cyclists. As part of the Bett+Bike network, we want to help cycling enthusiasts make their stay in Jena as pleasant as possible. For example, we offer to prepare a packed lunch for you to enjoy along the way. We can also help you to get back to the hotel from your destination. This means you don’t have to prepare for a return journey, but can take a day trip to more distant destinations on your cycle tours around Jena. You can find out more about our offers below.
The Saale Cycling Path
If you want to discover Thuringia on a bicycle tour along one of the most beautiful rivers in Germany, we recommend the Saaleradweg. This 400km long route follows the river of the same name and gives you a look on Thuringia from its most majestic side. With castles, valleys and forests, this Thuringian cycle path offers something for all tastes. Below, we would like to introduce you to some of the cycle paths around Jena that you can explore during your stay at the Schwarzer Bär.
Thuringia’s Traditional Bicycle Path: The Thuringian Church Cycle Path
14 km
St. Michael's Church
Monastery Church Thalbürgel
historic Churches
The Thuringian Church Cycle Path between Jena’s St. Michael’s Church and Thalbürgel’s Monastery Church is a real gem for biking enthusiasts and culture lovers. This route is a magnificent example of how the beauty of nature can be combined with the fascination of historical sites.
Start your journey at the city church of St. Michael in Jena, an architectural gem that combines history and beauty. The church in the heart of Jena is a perfect starting point for this inspiring little Thuringian bike tour. As you leave the city, immerse yourself in Thuringia’s picturesque countryside, characterised by lush forests, rolling hills and crystal clear streams.
On your way to Thalbürgel, you will experience a ride through quiet villages and along rustic country lanes, where unspoiled nature shows itself from its most beautiful side. These cycle paths around Jena are characterised by breathtaking views and offer numerous opportunities to pause and take in the calming atmosphere of the surroundings.
Arriving at the monastery church Thalbürgel is the highlight of your journey. This historic church, nestled in an idyllic landscape, is a testament to the deep religious and cultural roots of the region. It offers a peaceful place for reflection and wonder. The monastery church is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a spiritual center that invites you to pause for a moment.
This section of the Thuringian Church Cycle Route is ideal for cyclists looking for a shorter tour that is nevertheless rich in historical and natural sights. It is suitable for both families and experienced cyclists and offers a unique opportunity to experience the combination of history, culture and nature on two wheels. Get ready for an unforgettable Thuringia bike tour that will invigorate both body and mind.
Nature up close: Mountain Bike Tour in Jena Forest
16 km
distillery & brewery Papiermühle
Bismarck Tower
untouched nature in Jena’s forest
The mountain bike tour through Jena’s forest is a fantastic experience for anyone who wants to explore nature on wheels. This route offers a breathtaking combination of natural beauty and challenging sport. As you ride through the dense forest, you will be fascinated by the diversity of flora and fauna. This bike tour starts with a gentle climb, which is perfect for warming up. The paths are well-maintained, but still offer enough of a challenge to really push yourself due to the city’s hilly surroundings.
This cycle route takes you through a variety of landscapes, from dense forests to open fields, and offers an excellent opportunity to observe the local wildlife. There are several places along the way where you can take a break and enjoy the tranquillity of nature. The Ernst Haeckel stone, the Forstturm and the Bismarck Tower, for example, offer wonderful spots to relax in the midst of the calming Thuringian landscape. These various viewpoints are also particularly recommended because they offer fantastic views over the valley. For these breaks, we recommend the hotel’s packed lunches, which will give you additional nutrients and strength.
This relatively short route is also suitable for children and is therefore particularly recommended for families. Together with your kids, you can escape the bustling city and look down on it from amidst the calming nature. At the restaurant Forsthaus, you have the opportunity to catch your breath over a warm meal and prepare for the serpentine descent. Once you have found your way back, the route ends at the distillery and brewery Papiermühle.
Cycle Routes around Jena: The Vineyard Tour through the Saale-Unstrut Region
49 km
Schwarzer Bär
Naumburg Cathedral St. Peter & Paul
vineyards and Dornburg castles
The Jena-Naumburg wine lovers’ bike tour is a special experience for anyone who appreciates good cycling and excellent wine. This picturesque Thuringian cycle route takes you through the heart of the local wine region and offers you the opportunity to taste some of the best wines in the area. We also offer an exquisite selection of regional and international wines at our hotel. Just ask our restaurant staff!
The tour starts right outside our front door and takes you along the Saale Valley through the idyllic countryside. Along the way, you will pass numerous vineyards where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines and learn more about wine production in the region. The route takes you along pleasant cycle tracks around Jena through charming villages and offers wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
We recommend anyone with enough energy to take up the challenge. The Saale-Unstrut wine region in particular, with the Dornburg castles, offers excellent opportunities to rest after the steep climb and take in the picturesque surroundings.
The route is relatively easy to cycle and is therefore suitable for both occasional cyclists and experienced enthusiasts. Steep climbs are optional and can be skipped. There are many cozy inns and wineries along the way that invite you to take a break and taste regional delicacies.
The highlight of the tour is the arrival in Naumburg, a town known for its historic architecture and excellent wines. Here, you can visit the famous Naumburg cathedral and end the day in one of the local restaurants or wineries. All in all, this bike route offers a unique combination of cycling, culture and culinary enjoyment. It’s a perfect opportunity to discover the beauty of Thuringia and enjoy some of the region’s best wines.
Services for all Guests on their Thuringia Bicycle Tour
Of course, these are just a few examples of fascinating cycle routes around Jena and in the region. If you would like to explore other cycle routes around Jena, our reception is always ready to recommend further routes. Do not hesitate to contact us! To make the journey easier for our guests, the Schwarzer Bär offers additional services that can make your tours more enjoyable.
Luggage Transport in and around the City on a Jena Cycle Path
Overnight guests at the Schwarzer Bär can have their luggage picked up or have it transported to a pre-arranged location free of charge during a multi-day cycle tour in or around Jena. This way, you can enjoy your Thuringian cycle tour without unnecessary baggage. Please inform us ahead of time about your luggage transportation so that we can check the availability of the service.
Drop-off or Pick-up Transfer around Jena
If our hotel has sufficient capacity, we offer our overnight guests at the Schwarzer Bär a pick-up service. This service allows you to be picked up at a time and place of your choice to be transported with your bicycles for a fee. This avoids you having to cycle the same route several times and you don’t have to worry about getting back to Jena before nightfall.
Enjoy your day to the fullest! We also offer a certain amount of flexibility in terms of time and location. For example, if you do not reach the agreed destination in time, please inform us as early as possible. Our service also includes the option of driving you to a location of your choice in the morning, from where you can then return to Jena by bike or e-bike by the evening. Here too, we recommend that you contact us ahead of time so that we can give you the best possible advice.
Please contact us in advance, ideally when booking your stay, if you would like to use the transport service.
Treat Yourself in the Evening after your Thuringia Cycle Tour with a Visit to our Restaurant
After an intensive and enjoyable day of cycling on your cycle tour, you can look forward to some well-earned relaxation. Just imagine: You have just refreshed yourself and now want to enjoy a nutritious and tasty dinner. Our restaurant offers just that — the perfect opportunity to recharge your batteries with a rich dinner without having to leave the house again. And for all lovers of fine wines, we offer wines from the region that have captured the glow of the Thuringian sun. Especially after a tour through the vineyards of the Saale-Unstrut region, we recommend a taste of the local grapes.
For all further questions and wishes we are always at your disposal!