Swabian Alb

Cycling through the Aach and Schmiech valleys, you'll pass through Schelklingen and on to Ehingen, where you'll meet the still-young Danube. After visiting the market square with its unique market fountain, you'll continue along the Danube Cycle Path. The Danube surrounds the town of Munderkingen, formerly part of Further Austria. Its picturesque old town is characterized by tall gabled houses, winding lanes, and numerous churches. You'll cycle on through Untermarchtal, home to the active convent of the Sisters of Mercy, and reach Obermarchtal. The completely preserved Baroque complex of the former convent is one of the largest and most beautiful in Upper Swabia!

Overnight stay: Obermarchtal

A highlight of the biosphere reserve is a bike tour through the Lauter Valley, one of the most beautiful and interesting on the Swabian Alb, not just for cyclists. The pristine Lauter River meanders idyllically past rugged limestone cliffs. For long stretches, cyclists and hikers have the Lauter Valley practically to themselves. The stunning bike route alternates between shady forest paths, green meadows, and towering rock faces. Other attractions along the way include the Marbach State Stud Farm with its Arabian horse breeding program, the Jewish cemetery in Buttenhausen, and a snail garden. In the afternoon, you'll reach Gomadingen, where you'll spend two nights.

Overnight location: Gomadingen

Today you'll embark on a scenic and exciting circular tour across the Reutlingen Alb. At the Albtrauf escarpment, the Swabian Alb plateau drops steeply into the valleys and the Alb foothills. From the white limestone cliffs, you'll often enjoy magnificent views. Lichtenstein Castle, perched high above the valley, is a frequently photographed landmark of the Swabian Alb. Following car-free paths, you'll cycle across the plateau to the Fohlenhof, an outpost of the Württemberg State Stud Farm in Marbach. Passing the Rutschenfelsen (Slide Rock), which offers a splendid view of the Erms Valley and Bad Urach, the route leads back to Gomadingen.

Overnight accommodation: As on the previous day, Gomadingen

A bike tour through the former military training area in Münsingen is a truly unique experience in Germany! Even during its more than 100 years of military use, nature was able to develop undisturbed in many parts of the area. You'll cycle through a region that is now the heart of the biosphere reserve. Since the military withdrew a few years ago, the area has been increasingly transforming into a natural paradise. From the paved roads where tanks once roared, cyclists enjoy breathtaking views of the unique landscape. No houses, no fields, almost no human influence – just vast pastures dotted with gnarled trees and extensive woodlands characterize this nearly 70-square-kilometer area. More than 12.000 sheep keep the landscape open. Here, time seems to have stood still for decades. 

Overnight location: Münsingen

A beautiful cycle path leads you across the Alb plateau into the region of the Vordere Alb. You cycle past the Heidegraben, an impressive relic from the Celtic period. The next destination is Hohenneuffen Castle, which stands on a mighty limestone base. Here, on the Albtrauf, the plateau drops steeply to the Alb foreland, which lies over 300 m below. The view of the white limestone cliffs and the towns below, as far as Stuttgart, is overwhelming. The route continues to Laichingen, where the weaving and local history museum reminds us that the town used to be one of the most important centres of traditional linen weaving in Württemberg.

Overnight stay: Laichingen

The Laichinger Tiefenhöhle is the deepest show cave in Germany with huge shafts and large halls. Today again offers the landscape forms typical of the biosphere reserve. The cycle route runs through the varied cultural landscape of the Swabian Jura with its juniper heaths, flowery grasslands, meadows, arable land and forests. You cycle over lonely plateaus, through quiet, shady valleys and past white limestone cliffs. You will reach Blaubeuren again in the afternoon.

Overnight stay in Blaubeuren

Today you can go home on your own or you can take the opportunity for an extension. 

Overnight stay: Blaubeuren (departure)