Five Rivers Cycle Path 1: Sulz and Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal

Day 1: Monday, 15th April 2019

Route: Five Rivers Cycle Path (Berching - Nuremberg)

Distance covered: 85 km

We started today at quarter to 9 from home. Firstly, because the path starts there, and secondly, because I still had to withdraw money, I first went to Berching. It was quite chilly in the morning!

Then we continued along the Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal. Between Pollanten and Mühlhausen, the new federal road is being built, so the cycle path there is no longer fully accessible. For a section, I even rode on the currently closed old federal road.

In Mühlhausen itself, it was no better with construction sites, and I rode on gravel beds through the industrial area, where I at least found a body of water again. It was pretty marshy because it had left its bed. But there was a small bridge over it. It was so narrow that I could hardly pass it with my bike.

Behind it came the actual LDM Canal. Before Pollanten, it was lined with stone artworks, now with many canal keeper and lockkeeper houses. There was one every 1-2 km.

From Buchberg, the canal flows through forests for quite a long time. It's beautiful: the trees are just starting to bloom, there are many different ducks running around, and I even saw 2 swans. And colorful flowers are blooming on the ground.

Then the path led through Neumarkt. Not into the city center, but through the "LGS" area and then out again via Holzheim. You follow the canal again. Until Berg and even further, it winds its way through green meadows and fields, and the "skyline" of Berg with the 5-turreted tower looks cool. Unfortunately, the path did not lead into the village again.

At this point, I was so hungry that I stopped, sat on a bench next to information boards, and had Tuc cookies for breakfast. After a short break, I continued strengthened. Now the canal was no longer flowing so straight as before: it made a big bend shortly before Oberölsbach and then many small curves. Most of the time, it went through the forest again. At one point, the canal was virtually carved into the mountain in Berg, and the cycle path went along the valley side. Beautiful views were guaranteed.

At a place, the signpost indicated that one should leave the canal. I did so and rode up a mountain. However, it turned out that I was wrong there. Well, a few meters of altitude don't hurt.

Back on the main path, I soon found myself in Franconia, which could be recognized by the special houses and churches. It was warm by now. 10 kilometers before the destination, I stopped at Wendelstein on a bench in the forest for lunch break. I chatted with a few hikers, and after I finished my sausage, I continued.

I passed through the little quarry onto Münchner Straße in Langwasser. Spontaneously, I decided to ride into the city before I would go to my great aunt. It was another 6km, and now I know exactly where I have to start tomorrow.

At Hauptmarkt, there was an Easter market, and I enjoyed the sun and a cool drink at a restaurant. Then I strolled further through the old town along the Pegnitz river and up to the castle. There, I enjoyed the magnificent view of Nuremberg. I then went back via the Wörder Wiese, the Volksfestplatz, and the trade fair to Langwasser, where I had dinner with my great aunt and chatted for a long time before falling asleep in her guest room, well-deserved.