Cycling day trip from Marburg to Wetzlar

Set off from the university city of Marburg, famous for its medieval old town and hilltop castle, and cruise south to Wetzlar—a vibrant city on the banks of the Lahn river, renowned for its half-timbered houses and optical history (Leica cameras were born here!). This ride is just about 51 km and gently rolls through central Hesse’s scenic countryside, with roughly 227 meters of climbing—nothing too daunting, so it’s perfect for intermediate cyclists looking for a leisurely day trip.

Expect mostly smooth asphalt under your wheels, with a bit of variety from paving stones and gravel thrown in, just to keep things interesting. You’ll mostly stick to quiet farm tracks and calm roads, with hardly any time spent on busy streets, so you can keep things chill and soak up the rural views. Grab a snack for the ride, and maybe plan on finishing up with a walk along Wetzlar’s historic Domplatz. Enjoy the ride!