Discover the Mainschleife
Hiking, cycling, wine tastings, culture: Everything you need to know for your stay at Franconia's most beautiful river loop.
The Mainschleife near Volkach
The Volkach Mainschleife is Bavaria's largest river loop. The Main river winds 13 kilometres through the landscape here, while the distance as the crow flies is just 800 metres. Around a quarter of all Franconian vineyards are cultivated along the Mainschleife, making it the largest contiguous wine-growing area in Franconia.
The region can be explored on foot, by bike, by boat or by horse-drawn wagon. This guide provides an overview of the best activities from Volkach.
Hiking
17 signposted trails through vineyards and along the Main
From short panorama walks (3 km) to the full-day Fährenwanderweg (17.6 km): the Mainschleife has something for everyone. The Dschungelpfad follows natural paths along the Main, the Weininsel hike connects Nordheim and Sommerach, and the Terroir-f-Tour explains the connection between geology and wine.
The Volkach tourist information office offers a trail map with elevation profiles for all routes.
Cycling
35 km loop tour, ferries and e-bike hire
The Volkach Mainschleife tour (35 km) passes through every wine village on the loop. Almost entirely paved, with two Main ferries for crossing the river. E-bikes are available at Zweirad Weißenseel (35 Euro/day) in Volkach.
Wine tastings
From the WeinSensorikum to horse-drawn wagon tours
The WeinSensorikum at Weingut Römmert lets you experience wine with all five senses. In Escherndorf, the VDP wineries Horst Sauer and Rainer Sauer are situated at the Escherndorfer Lump vineyard. Sommerach's WeinReich combines Franconia's oldest wine cooperative with a sun terrace.
Landmarks
Renaissance town hall, Barockscheune and Vogelsburg
The Renaissance town hall from 1544, the baroque Schelfenhaus from 1721, the town tower dating back to the 13th century. The Museum Barockscheune displays three floors of local history. High above the Mainschleife sits the Vogelsburg, first documented in 874.
Maria im Weingarten
Riemenschneider Madonna, art theft and vineyard panorama
The late-Gothic pilgrimage church above Volkach houses a Madonna by Tilman Riemenschneider (1524). Stolen in 1962 and recovered after a nationwide search. Open April to October, admission 2 Euro. A 20-minute walk through the vineyards.
Romance & indulgence
Boat cruises, sunsets and wine villages
The MS Undine offers round trips from Volkach (90 min, 17 Euro). The Main ferries carry pedestrians and cyclists to the opposite bank. For sunset: the Terroir-f platform above the Escherndorfer Lump or the panorama platform at Nordheim's Kreuzberg.
Wine festivals & events
From May to August the Mainschleife comes alive
The Fränkisches Weinfest Volkach (14 to 18 August 2026) is Franconia's largest wine festival. Over 120 wines, 7,000 seats, running since 1949. Add the Nordheim wine festival in May and around 12 village wine festivals from June to August.
Stay at the Mainschleife
Sonnenhotel Weingut Römmert is right in the heart of it all: its own winery, 900 m² spa with pool, and a restaurant serving Franconian cuisine. The perfect base for everything the Mainschleife has to offer.