Oschelskopftour - German Wine Route

Baroque playfulness, medieval romance and refined wine cuisine enter into an inspiringly lively liaison in the Palatinate town of Freinsheim.

Medieval walls, a sea of vines, rustic winegrowers' farms and wine taverns, and a glass of Palatinate wine with a snack at the end - cycling in the Freinsheim holiday region is also an all-round culinary success.

Enjoyable, mostly gradient-free cycling experience for families and hobby cyclists in one of the most beautiful sections of the German Wine Route holiday region.

The tour does not have its own signposting.

Car NAVIGATION: Am Güterbahnhof, 67251 Freinsheim. The "Oschelskopftour" runs partly on the "Kraut- und Rüben-Radweg", partly on the cycle path "Deutsche Weinstrasse".

OUR TIP: E-bikes and touring bikes can be rented at the i-Punkt in Kallstadt by appointment. For more information, call 06322/667838. In this case, the tour starts in Kallstadt. 

We start on the west side of Freinsheim railway station (car park at the back), turn left into Bahnhofstraße, cycle along it to the end of the town and there change to the cycle path on the right side of the road. After about 200 m, the "Schwarzes Kreuz" (Black Cross), built around 1430, appears on the left on the other side of the road. Worth seeing: the biblical crossing scene. TIP: To the right, a short detour to the natural monument "Hahnenplatz" with its old chestnut tree population is an option. Cross a road junction straight ahead and continue parallel to the road. At a cycle path junction, turn right towards Kallstadt (2.5 km). Now always stay on the paved path.

Approx. 200m after a right-hand bend, turn left at a fork towards Kallstadt. At the winery at the edge of the village, we turn right and ride along the eastern edge of Kallstadt and reach Freinsheimer Straße. Freinsheimer Strasse leads to the left into the village centre with its many restaurants and wineries. But the Oschelskopftour immediately leads out of the village again, straight on in a northerly direction. Halfway to Herxheim - on a slight incline - we cross the small bridge over the "Schlittgraben". Take the next tarmacked farm track on the right and the next one on the left and ride up a short stretch with a slightly steeper incline to Herxheim am Berg and reach the main road below the castle gardens with St. Jacob's Church. TIP: A detour to the castle garden with its great panoramic view of the Rhine plain is worthwhile. Turn left up the main road into the village centre. At the traffic lights, continue straight ahead.

On leaving Herxheim am Berg, we turn half-left onto a tarred path that leads into the vineyards. Finally we reach the L517 between Weisenheim am Berg and Leistadt. Cross the road straight ahead and continue towards the grove.

We meet the "Deutsche Weinstrasse" cycle path, which we follow to the right - in the direction of Weisenheim am Berg. We have reached Weisenheim am Berg. Cross the village and continue straight ahead. Then we turn right into "Karl-Gayer-Straße". This now makes a right/left turn and meets Leistadter Straße. Follow this to the left - through the village - with its numerous opportunities for refreshments. Finally, we meet the main road at the village square with the Catholic church. We turn left, past the church and turn, following the Main road to the end of the village. Continue to the left and - after about 100 m - change to the cycle path alongside the road.

Now cycle in the direction of "Bobenheim am Berg". In Bobenheim am Berg, cycle along the road through the entire town. At the end of the village, change back to the roadside cycle path "DeutscheWeinstrasse/Panoramaroute". At a road junction, turn right in the direction of Kleinkarlbach (cycle path next to the road). We now leave the Freinsheim holiday region and cross over into Leiningerland.

You have reached Kleinkarlbach. At the crossroads in the village you turn right and immediately left into Röthenbacherstraße. At a small power house you come to a small brook. Turn right here and continue along the stream on the "Eckbach-Mühlen" cycle path out of the village. Cross under a large road bridge. Turn right here, up to the main road and follow it to the left into Kirchheim an der Weinstrasse.

In Kirchheim an der Weinstrasse, cross the ungated railway crossing and continue straight ahead along the main road through the vi. At a power house you come to a stream. Turn right here and continue along the stream on the "Eckbach-Mühlen-Radweg". Cross under a large road bridge. Turn right here, up to the main road and follow it to the left into Kirchheim an der Weinstraße.

In Kirchheim an der Weinstraße, cross the railway crossing without a barrier and continue straight ahead along the main road through the village. At the end of the village, turn right onto a cycle path. Turn left at a rainwater retention basin and bridge, then - 100 m further on - turn right onto the "Kraut und Rüben" cycle path (carrot logo) towards Freinsheim. Continue straight on - the Dackenheim golf course appears on your left - until you reach Freinsheim.

You have reached Freinsheim. At the sports field, turn right towards the roundabout. Cross the roundabout and cycle into Freinsheim. We pass the fire brigade and turn left - in a right-hand bend - into the "Hauptstraße". Follow this straight ahead over cobblestones into the historic old town. At the town hall square with the baroque town hall, we turn left and soon pass through the "Eiserne Tor" (iron gate) and leave the old town again. Continue straight ahead at a crossroads. TIP: Here it is worth making a detour to the Freinsheim Baroque Garden on the right. It is only about 50 m. A great garden with fountains and seating. We come to the Freinsheim bypass. Turn right here, and immediately left again, past the Nettomarkt. The route now continues straight ahead - through orchards and vegetable fields - in the direction of Weisenheim am Sand.

You have reached Weisenheim am Sand. Turn right at the roundabout and continue straight ahead on Bahnhofstraße through the town. Pass between the two churches, over the railway tracks and past the station. Just before leaving the town, turn straight into the street "Ziegelhütte". The road now goes slightly uphill. At a fork in the road - before the riding school - keep left. Continue straight on through Wingert. At a crossroads go straight on. Turn right at the next junction at the "Eyersheimerhof". Follow the "Kraut und Rüben" cycle path in the direction of Erpolzheim/Bad Dürkheim.

You have reached Erpolzheim. Go straight on into the town until you reach the main road. Turn right here and continue on the cycle path alongside the road (to the left of the road) in the direction of Freinsheim.

At the entrance to Freinsheim, change back to the road. After a petrol station, turn left into "Badstraße" to the historic town hall in the old town. OUR RECOMMENDATION: You should park your bikes here and explore the historic old town with its many fortified towers, romantic alleyways and secluded corners on foot. Particularly beautiful: the "city wall circuit"! Also worthwhile: a visit to the toy museum, An der Bach 9. After that, it's not far to the railway station. Follow the "Hauptstrasse", which soon becomes "Bahnhofstraße". After passing the new town hall, you will soon be back at Freinsheim railway station, our starting and finishing point.

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