Source of the Schwarzer Kocher

The Black Kocher rises here at a height of 499 m above sea level. After 180 km it flows into the Neckar near Bad Friedrichshall. The discharge is 680 l/s on average.
Until the Thirty Years' War, there was also an ironworks just below the spring. The Kocher powered iron hammers and bellows. Something similar can also be found at the Brenz spring in Königsbronn - although the ironworks still stand here.
After the Thirty Years' War, a slag washing plant was operated on the site of the ironworks. The slag residues on the riverbed gave it a black appearance - this gave it the name "Black Kocher".
As the catchment area of the spring is 100% forested, the water is very clean and of high quality.
You can walk completely around the spring.

This place, like most springs, is magical. The water gushes incessantly from various springs at up to 680 l/s. Various hikes and runs in the direction of Oberkochen or Wollenloch also start here.

The Schwarzer Kocher is the largest karst spring in Oberkochen.
Between 1551 and 1634 there was an ironworks at the source of the river.
The river is called Schwarzer Kocher because of the dark color of the river bed from earlier cinder residues and lush vegetation.
The catchment area of the Kocher is 100% forested. Its water is therefore of good quality.
After 180 km the river flows into the Neckar.