Timber-framed houses and river landscapes – Rems Valley Cycle Path

Between the Kocher and the Neckar, a small stream meanders through a fertile valley – the Rems. It rises between Lauterburg and Essingen, very close to Aalen. On its banks, you find pretty towns which have preserved their medieval charm in their well-kept half-timbered buildings. This Collection guides you along the Rems Valley Cycle Path, a wonderful route in southern Germany.

As you cycle down the Rems Valley, you find exciting contrasts such as historical houses next to futuristic buildings like the ‘Forum Gold and Silver’ in Schwäbisch Gmünd. Riding along well-developed cycle paths, you pass large swathes of river that were re-natured during the garden show in 2019. Great playgrounds, dredging lakes, rest areas, and bathing spots also lie en route, ensuring that both the little and big kids stay happy. As the 68-mile (109-km) route is relatively flat, the Rems Valley Cycle Path is ideal for families.

This extremely beautiful bike path, which was awarded 4 stars by the ADFC (German Cyclists’ Federation), does not start at the source of the river, but in the Lower Rems Valley in Endersbach. From there, you ride through vineyards, enjoying wonderful views over the Rems Valley scenery. Next, you follow the River Neckar to the rems Estuary. Here, you cycle along the river as it twists and turns through rocky landscapes. Following the Rems upstream, you cross beautiful countryside and visit pretty towns such as Waiblingen, Schorndorf, and Schwäbisch Gmünd.

You leave the banks of the Rems in Essingen, where you reach the highest point of the Tour at just over 500 metres (1,600 feet). If you take a small detour here, you can also ride to the source of the Rems. To finish, you cycle to Kocher and finally Aalen, a medieval town that will welcome you with its half-timbered charm.

We have divided the Rems Valley Cycle Path into four short stages. If you are a bit more athletic, you can also finish it in two days. A railway line runs through the valley so you often have the option to take a train.

Both the end point in Aalen and the starting point in Endersbach can be easily reached by train. If you don’t want to take your bike with you, you can rent a bike or e-bike at several places en route. For more information, see: regioradstuttgart.de/de/soeinfachgehts