Main Cycle Tour 01 - Stage Hanau - Steinau

Easy throughout, well developed, well signposted, suitable for families

Difficulty level: easy
Trail quality:★★★☆
Signposting: ★★★☆



The cycle tour on the German Fairy Tale Route starts in Hanau, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. The first stage runs for 60 km along the Kinzig river via historic Gelnhausen to Steinau an der Straße.

The brothers Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm were born in Hanau in 1785 and 1786. Hanau honors its world-famous sons in many ways. On the market square in front of the town hall stands the national monument with the seated figure of Wilhelm Grimm and his brother Jacob standing next to it. The newly designed long-distance cycle path of the same name also starts here.

The first stage leads through the Kinzig valley to Steinau an der Straße. The signposted cycle path is asphalted throughout and follows the Hessian cycle path R 3. At Erlensee, you pass the foundation walls of a Roman fort bath. This is followed by a zigzag course through the bird-rich Kinzig floodplains. If you're lucky, you might spot storks stomping through the wet meadows.


Gelnhausen is the next important historical town on the route. Emperor Barbarossa once built a palace here on the Kinzig. The ruins are still preserved and can be visited. You should also take a look at the historic old town, which is well worth a visit. Via Wächtersbach and Bad Soden-Saalmünster, the cycle route follows the banks of the Kinzig reservoir to the stage town of Steinau. The Brothers Grimm spent their youth here, as Father Grimm took up a position as bailiff. Steinau is a small town with a castle and town wall that is really worth seeing.
We highly recommend a guided tour of the town with Mother Goat, Puss in Boots or the Witch, who accompany their guests on a magical and informative tour of Steinau in the footsteps of the Grimms. A great thing not to be missed.

The former Amthaus (also the Grimm family home) is now a museum. In the magnificent half-timbered building dating from 1562, the "Brothers Grimm House Steinau" museum provides information on the subject.
.