Main Cycle Tour - Stage Steinau - Alsfeld

First section to Freiensteinau steeply uphill and graveled, not signposted, for sporty cyclists or with pedelecs, then better;
Alternative road L 3178 from Steinau to Freiensteinau to Grebenhain, but car traffic

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

From Steinau, you cycle up into the Vogelsberg region. Initially, the route leads along busy roads, then along forest paths, some of which are gravel, and always uphill. Before Ulmbach, it then runs along farm tracks and country roads along the Steinautal valley to Freiensteinau, where the cycle route is signposted as a "lake tour" and leads to the volcano cycle path. The Vulkanradweg - a former railroad line - is a wonderful way to cycle downhill on smooth asphalt to Lauterbach. Near Grebenhain, a sign points to the Teufelsmühle mill, which you can visit from the outside. The mill is a magnificent half-timbered building. Continuing along the volcano cycle path, you have a wonderful view of Herbstein. A detour to the town center is worthwhile, as there is an interesting half-timbered town hall to visit at the market. You can also walk along the remains of the medieval town wall.
Eisenbach Castle can be seen behind Herbstein. From here, it is not far to Lauterbach, a pretty little half-timbered town.
From Lauterbach, you change from the volcano cycle path to the Hessian long-distance cycle path R 2, which accompanies the cyclist on a hilly route through the beautiful Schwalmtal valley to Alsfeld. In this area, you will come across Little Red Riding Hood and the wicked wolf. The magnificent backdrop of Alsfeld's old town shines above all with the medieval town hall on the market square, framed by the historic wine house, the Bückingshaus and the Strumpfhaus. The tower of the Walpurgis Church towers above the town hall and forms a fitting backdrop. Six alleyways lead off from the market in all directions, all lined with well-preserved half-timbered houses full of character.
The Alsfeld Fairytale House houses an exhibition of Grimm's fairytales. There is also a large collection of dolls and doll's houses on display

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Services and facilities on site:

Herbstein:
Charging station for e-bikes: VulkanTherme Herbstein
Public transport: Vogelsberg Volcano Express - From May to October, six bus routes run every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday to the Hoherodskopf, the volcano cycle path and many other excursion destinations in the region. For cyclists, the buses carry trailers in which bikes can be transported free of charge. Three of the six bus routes run along the Volcano Cycle Path and one along the Southern Railway Cycle Path.