5 (or more) reasons for the Selz Valley Cycle Route in autumn

Fall Vibes in the Selz Valley

This post was published on October 4, 2022, and updated on September 17, 2026.

The Selz Valley Cycle Route between Alzey and Ingelheim It's a great choice for a fall day trip. Along the roughly 55 km route, there are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way, and by the end, your bike bag will be stuffed with goodies—because it's harvest season.

I begin my bike ride along the Selztal Bike Trail at the historic Rossmarkt with the beautiful half-timbered houses in the center of Alzey’s Old Town. I head northeast and take a short detour to Alzey Castle with its impressive courtyard. Then I head north, and soon I’m surrounded by greenery, with a great view of the rolling hills so typical of Rheinhessen. If you’d like to plan a culinary stop before your bike ride, you can, for example, visit the Café Selzgold stop in for a bite to eat or head to the Alzey weekly market for onion cake and Federweißer to set the right „tone“ for your day trip. From early April through late October, the market winemakers invite you every Saturday starting at 10 a.m. to Alzey Market Breakfast one.

The route winds through the tranquil Selz Valley—from which the bike path takes its name—passing through Framersheim and Gau-Köngernheim on its way to Gau-Odernheim. Here, too, the market takes place on Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Untermarkt Weekly market takes place. In the idyllic town center, the Caffetteria Icaro with delicious ice cream flavors. There’s also a Regiomat/Vinomat (grocery vending machine) here on the L406 that offers organic products from the family Wiper & Sander. I ride through picturesque alleys toward the town limits. From there, the path leads past meadows, fields, and vineyards all the way to Bechtholsheim. There, on Salzgasse near the Rudolf's Apiary Take a break and stock up on honey (don't forget your bike bags).

The bike tour winds through the wide Selz Valley and beautiful countryside, passing Friesenheim and Undenheim, all the way to Köngernheim. One picturesque village follows another along the way. The route is mostly flat, and the occasional gentle incline is easy to handle. I really liked the Winery & Guesthouse Hammen in the center of Köngernheim. Here, you can buy tasty Federweisser, fresh grapes and a Regiomat with Rhine-Hessian delicacies.

About halfway between Köngernheim and Hahnheim lies Jordan's Untermühle (E-bike charging station). The hotel with restaurant in historical half-timbered ambience has a beautiful outdoor terrace. In good weather, you can accordingly take a relaxing break with coffee and cake.

The bike path from Hahnstein to Nieder-Olm eventually winds through an idyllic reed bed, just as it does later near Stadecken-Elsheim. The beautiful „Hahnheimer Bruch“ Nature Reserve“ It's worth it for the scenery, and this bike path definitely offers plenty of variety.

For Nieder-Olm You should really plan to spend more time here, just as you would in Alzey and Ingelheim. There are various places to stop for a bite to eat around St. Georg Parish Church and the historic town hall. The café Hanni, the Nieder-Olmer wine tavern and the Piccin ice cream parlor are among them, for example. For e-bikes, there is another charging station at the marketplace. In Nieder-Olm, by the way, you've already made it more than halfway along the Selz Valley Cycle Path.

After Nieder-Olm, the bike path turns west and runs alongside lush Woog meadows and the Selz River all the way to Stadecken-Elsheim. This charming Rheinhessen community is home to the Hamm and Harth butchers, as well as the Mengel-Eppelmann Estate Tavern, a few places to stop. Another tip: the self-service shelf with treats in front of the winery near the Eleven Thousand Maidens Mill next to the one of the same name Ruin tower of a fortified gatehouse. Plump pumpkins in all colors, lush zucchini and noble grape varieties can be found on the well-stocked shelf. Then it's shopping, stow it in the bike bag and the bike rolls on towards its destination.

The Bacchushof Estate Tavern Then, on the drive, leave it on your right and follow the bike path all the way to Schwabenheim on the Selz. The Restaurant Pfaffenhofen with hotel is located directly on the path. At Margaret Court with the beautiful outdoor terrace there is another e-bike charging station. Shortly before Ingelheim, you can add a detour and small detour in Großwinternheim: The Winery Merl With its wine shop and farm store, it offers a wide selection of various Rheinhessen wines and liqueurs. Back on the Selz River lies the Owl Mill Ahead of us. This complex of buildings, over 300 years old, houses a country inn and a horse farm. The idyllic garden terrace is so inviting—it’s hard to resist stopping for a break.

On the final stretch before Ingelheim, the bike path runs along a former railroad right-of-way. It’s not far to the destination now. I ride leisurely under the trees all the way to Ingelheim inside. The destination of the Selztal Bike Trail offers many places to stop for a break, such as the Hamm Winery at the Ingelheim Castle Church or the Vinothek in Wasems Engelthal Monastery. I decide for the restaurant Peter & Silie near the Ingelheim train station. There, to wrap up my bike ride, I enjoy a delicious salmon dish paired with a Rheinhessen Riesling. Very close by, there’s also the opportunity to take the Weekly market to discover fresh, local products.

The Selz Valley Cycle Route does not end at the train station, however, because it continues through the flat plain to the Rhine, in the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Selz River. The ferry to Oestrich-Winkel in the Rheingau also runs there. There is a picnic area not far from there. I recommend the last part of the stage to anyone who still wants to see the Rhine on this day trip. A nice conclusion to the tour.

You can ride the bike path in both directions, accordingly also choose the Rhine as a starting point and then cycle to Alzey. In the direction of Alzey - Ingelheim, the cycle path tends to run downhill, whereby the differences in altitude (highest point: 200 hm, lowest point: 80 hm) are moderate. For the way back, regardless of the direction in which you ride the tour, the regional train with the stations in Ingelheim and Alzey offers (https://www.rnn.info).