Neckar valley/Swabian Alb | German Timber-Frame Road: Circular route Neckar valley/Swabian Alb

1. Bietigheim-Bissingen – Schorndorf

The first stage of the long-distance cycle route starts in the beautiful timber-frame town of Bietigheim-Bissingen. It first goes through the forest and then right through the Alt-Neckar nature reserve to Freiberg, where the castle and the associated museum can be visited. Then we cycle on the beautiful route between the vineyards and the Neckar. In Marbach, the birthplace of Friedrich Schiller, the timber-frame houses, towers and narrow alleys impress. In the midst of beautiful countryside, the route goes through Steinheim an der Murr, Burgstetten-Erbstetten and Backnang. The cycle path continues along the towns of Weissach and Allmersbach in the valley and Michelau, where the oil mill houses a technical museum of old craft traditions. The stage destination on the Rems invites for a stay with historic treasures and a mustard manufactory.

2. Schorndorf – Kirchheim unter Teck

The stage starts in the birthplace of Gottlieb Daimler and runs very nicely with little contact to road traffic until Bad Cannstatt. Via Grunbach it goes to Waiblingen, which impresses with its old town, charming timber-frame houses, imposing towers and walkable city walls with battlements. At Remseck, the Rems flows into the Neckar. The modern pedestrian bridge here and the Fellbach landing pier at Aldingen invite you to a stop. Through the Neckar valley it continues over Hofen with Max-Eyth-See and Bad Cannstatt to Esslingen am Neckar. Worth seeing here are the old town hall and the castle. Via Plochingen with the Hundertwasser House the route leads to the stage destination, idyllically located between orchards and the Alb panorama below the Teck castle.

3. Kirchheim unter Teck – Blaubeuren

This stage goes over the Swabian Alb, Germany’s most cave-rich area. At Heroldstatt-Sontheim, the oldest show cave in Germany, a dripstone cave, can be visited. At Laichingen, the next show cave awaits, this time a shaft cave. Information about caves can be found here in a museum and on a hiking trail. Weiler is again characterized by timber-frame houses, and Blaubeuren is embedded in the beautiful landscape of the Swabian Alb. The town impresses not only with its magnificent timber-frame houses but also with a prehistoric museum and the Blautopf, a karst spring that gave the town its name.

4. Blaubeuren – Riedlingen

Through the picturesque Achtal, the route goes from Blaubeuren towards Schelklingen. Here is the prehistoric site of the famous “Venus of Hohle Fels.” In the Swabian Alb GeoPark, numerous caves and grottoes are encountered, making the tour a special scenic experience. The towns along the way such as Ehingen and Munderkingen impress with remarkable old towns. In Untermarchtal is the monastery of the Vincentian nuns, and from the castle in Rechtental there is a view of the Danube valley. Via Datthausen and Bechingen the stage destination is finally reached. Riedlingen sits between the Bussen and the Swabian Alb, whose old town is almost entirely protected as a monument.

5. Riedlingen – Trochtelfingen

Riedlingen, located on the foothills of the Swabian Alb, impresses with its marketplace surrounded by timber-frame houses. Along the Danube, the path leads to Zwiefaltendorf, where the Zwiefalter Ach flows into the Danube. The meadows along the way are often frequented by storks, and Zwiefaltendorf, with its remarkable castle, lies directly on the river. Now along the Zwiefalter Ach it goes to the town of Upper Swabian Baroque: Zwiefalten. A stately Benedictine monastery impresses here. The route continues through the Danube valley through small villages to Steinhilben. The Augstberg tower offers a wonderful view into the distance. The stage destination Trochtelfingen is surrounded by mountains and hills.

6. Trochtelfingen – Herrenberg

The stage starts in Trochtelfingen via the district Mägerkingen. Here is the recreation area Lauchert-See. Along the Lauchert, it goes through many small villages to Mössingen. The flower town is surrounded by a green belt and impresses with sights such as the “Four Seasons Fountain” on the town hall square. After a short way, Nehren is reached. Here one jewel follows another. Worth seeing are the old town center and the Veitskirche. Through the nature reserve “Bühler Tal und unterer Bürg,” the route passes through the towns of Kiebingen and Wurmlingen, along the Ammer river, via Reusten to the stage destination Herrenberg. The town in the Schönbuch enchants with its narrow and winding alleys and the timber-frame ensemble.

7. Herrenberg – Bietigheim-Bissingen

The last stage starts in the beautiful timber-frame town Herrenberg and first leads to Sindelfingen, where about 100 timber-frame buildings can be seen. Through green landscapes it continues to Leonberg, one of Württemberg’s oldest towns. The historic town hall built in 1480 is especially worth seeing. Along the Glems river, the route goes via Ditzingen to Markgröningen, known for the Schäferlauf festival. In the town, numerous timber-frame houses and the Wimpelinhof also convince. The last part of the picturesque route leads back to Bietigheim-Bissingen, the starting point of the long-distance cycling route. Here many attractions can be admired: Town hall, Hornmoldhaus and Enz viaduct are well-known beauties.

Bicycle helmet, repair kit, cycling gloves, sun protection, provisions and drinking water

Due to flooding and heavy rain events, the route on the Rems riverbank between Remseck-Neckarrems and Waiblingen-Hegnach is closed until further notice. A detour via Waiblingen-Hohenacker is signposted on site.

Plan enough time for stops in the charming timber-frame towns.