Explore the stunning Swabian Alb — cycling in the Esslingen district

Bike Touring Collection by Schwäbische Alb

Tours

17:30 h

166 mi

8,125 ft

In Germany’s Esslingen district, you can cycle along wonderful paths through diverse landscapes. Allow yourself to be whisked into romantic valleys where playful rivers meander, be immersed in rustic forests with majestic redwood trees and enjoy the high plateaus of the Filder and the Swabian Alb with unforgettable views. In between, you'll cycle through pretty towns with historic centres, see charming, half-timbered houses, and find cosy places to stop for a bite to eat.

In this Collection, we show you the beauty of the Esslingen district on six themed Tours, which, together, total over 235 kilometres (146 mi). The varied day rides take you through enchanting valleys such as the Neckar, the Filstal and the Siebenmühlental, and up to the heights of the Filder, the Swabian Alb and the Schurwald. Along the way, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the culture, history and nature of the region.

You can easily reach the starting points of each ride by bus or train. If you prioritise comfort, you can even be chauffeured up to the Alb plateau on Sundays and public holidays between May and October by one of the four cycling and hiking buses. Then, you can start cycling from the top and avoid the ascent. It gets even better: if you stay at a participating hotel, you get the AlbCard included which allows you free use of public transport. For information on the cycling and hiking buses, visit: landkreis-esslingen.de/start/tourismus/test+downloads.html

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Tour de Lac’le zu den Seen rund um Kirchheim unter Teck
03:33
33.7 mi
9.5 mph
1,425 ft
1,425 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The round trip to the most beautiful lakes in the region starts in Oberboihingen near the train station. After the first few kilometers, you will reach the idyllic citizen lakes over picturesque fields and through wild and romantic forest.

Then you cycle on through the agricultural area and pass picturesque…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Rundtour um den Mittleren Schurwald ab Plochingen
02:09
18.5 mi
8.6 mph
1,050 ft
1,050 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The beautiful round trip starts in Plochingen at the train station. From here you cycle past the impressive Hundertwasserhaus on the Neckar. You follow it for a while until you see the Fils flowing into the river on the other bank.

Now you cross the Neckar and roll through the beautiful Filstal to Reichenbach…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Rund um Neuhausen auf den Fildern – Schwäbische Alb
02:19
21.2 mi
9.2 mph
1,025 ft
1,000 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The starting point of the tour over the Filder is in Denkendorf. From here you cycle through the picturesque Körschtal, where you will pass the Denkendorf Monastery, the Denkendorf outdoor pool and unbelievably beautiful nature.

Then you leave the Körsch and start the gentle ascent to the Filder plain…
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Römerpark Köngen über Grötzingen ab Leinfelden – Rundtour
03:58
39.9 mi
10.1 mph
1,450 ft
1,450 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
This tour begins in Leinfelden and takes you straight to the beginning of the idyllic Siebenmühlental. Here you will pass a number of mills, some of which are still in use. On your journey along the Reichenbach, which flows through the valley, you can always take breaks and have a snack in one of the…
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Farmers & Poets Cycle Tour – Swabian Alb
01:30
14.6 mi
9.8 mph
700 ft
700 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
It starts in Nürtingen at the train station. After you have left the city behind you, you cycle through rolling hills and orchards up to Beuren. From the bike path you can see the historic Hohenneuffen Castle enthroned on its fortress mountain in the distance.

Shortly after Beuren, it is worth taking…
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Circuit: Lauter-Alb-Lindach Cycle Route – Swabian Alb
04:02
38.3 mi
9.5 mph
2,475 ft
2,475 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The promising tour of the Alb plateau starts in Wendlingen. Along the Lauter you cycle gently uphill to Kirchheim unter Teck and on towards Owen. On the way you have great views of the Teckberg and Teck Castle.

Behind Oberlenningen, a crisp ascent will bring you to the Alb plateau. Once at the top, you…
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