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By handcycle on the Unstrut Cycle Path
On the road with Marco Pompe
The Unstrut Cycle Path is around 200 kilometres long and connects the federal states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. It follows the river from its source in Eichsfeld to where it flows into the river Saale, past picturesque landscapes and historic Thuringian towns such as Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza.
This is me ...
Hello, I am Marco Pompe. As an inclusion ambassador, I have set myself the goal of improving the situation for people with disabilities. As I have a congenital disability myself, I have come to perceive some things very differently over the years. I love a challenge and enjoy varied tours and sports. Among other things, I use a recumbent bike from OTTO BOCK and a Speedy bike for my tours.
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In 2016, I won the Thuringian Tourism Award with Guido Kunze and Dr Sven Pompe for testing and cycling routes as a star tour around Mühlhausen. We have the big goal of presenting our region to the public in the context of accessibility. I would like to introduce you one of my favourite tours - the Unstrut Cycle Path from Mülhausen to Bad Langensalza.
On the Unstrut Cycle Path form Mühlhausen to Bad Langensalza
The tour along the Unstrut starts at the railway station in the medieval imperial town of Mühlhausen. Beforehand, we recommend a short visit to the old town centre with its almost completely preserved town wall and 11 medieval churches.
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My recommendation
Not staying overnight in Mühlhausen? Then I recommend leaving your car in Bad Langensalza and travelling to Mühlhausen by train. After an accessible guided tour of Mühlhausen, you can set off on a relaxed cycle tour towards Bad Langensalza.
After about 2.5 kilometres on quiet roads from the station, you will reach the cycle path parallel to the Bollstedter Landstraße. The Unstrut Cycle Path continues to Bollstedt, where traffic-calmed roads are used for a short time. Wide fields then extend to the left of the path, while the river Unstrut flows to the right. The following junction ‘Am Silberrasenweg’ should be crossed with caution.
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Passing fields and meadows, you reach Altengottern after 4 kilometres. The castle park with its impressive sculptures is well worth a visit here. The paths in the park are well paved and also suitable for hand cyclists. The historic church of St Trinitatis invites you to take a break. It is open to cyclists and guests on Saturdays from 12 noon to 6 pm from June to September. There is also a toilet there for people with disabilities. At the end of the village near the cemetery, there is also a bench for senior citizens with a slot for wheelchairs and walking frames. After the cemetery, the tour resumes on the cycle path in the direction of Thamsbrück. A particularly beautiful section of the tour is just before Thamsbrück at the old Unstrut weir, where the route runs directly alongside the river. After the village, the river Unstrut is crossed one last time before the tour ends on the former route of the former narrow-gauge railway in the spa and rose town of Bad Langensalza.
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Finally, the cycle tour leads along the Schlösschenpark, past the Rose garden, through the Spa gardens and the old town, so that Bad Langensalza can be experienced first-hand. There is also a public toilet for people with disabilities at the railway station.
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My recommendation
Successful participation in an inclusive region is something I strive for. Leisure activities are even more fun together. You are welcome to join me on the tour. You can book a guided tour at any time. The number of participants is limited to 8 people.
Information on accessibility
- Direction of travel: possible from both towns
- Longitudinal gradients: mainly uphill and downhill gradients of up to 10%
- Surface: predominantly asphalted and sufficiently wide, 180 cm wide on the embankment
- Orientation: continuous signposting of the tour (Unstrut cycle path)
- Note:
- some roads have to be crossed
- cobblestones near Altengottern (approx. 500 m in total)
- small sections run on roads with motor vehicle traffic (less than 50 km/h or only agricultural vehicles)
- Car parks:
- railway station in Bad Langensalza
- railway station in Mühlhausen and www.muehlhausen.de
- WC for people with disabilities:
- railway stations in Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza
- public toilets in Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza (www.muehlhausen.de and www.badlangensalza.de)
- possible by arrangement in St Trinitatis Church in Altengottern
- Catering:
- there are numerous catering options in the old town of Mühlhausen (Brauhaus Zum Löwen) and Bad Langensalza (K3)
Photos documenting this tour from an accessibility perspective can be found in the Outdooractive trail below.
