Hohenzollern Cycle Route through Baden-Württemberg
Castles, vineyards and ancient volcanoes - the Hohenzollern Cycle Path offers many points with marvellous views. For example, on a clear day, the view from the plateau of the Swabian Alb sweeps over the Hegau volcanoes and Lake Constance to the snow-covered Alpine peaks. The different landscapes are also part of the appeal of this almost 200-kilometre route from the medieval town of Esslingen in the Neckar valley through the densely wooded Schönbuch Nature Park down to the western shore of Lake Constance. Those interested in culture should plan enough time to visit Bebenhausen Abbey and, of course, the ancestral seat of the Prussian royal family and the Princes of Hohenzollern between Hechingen and Bisingen. On a guided tour, you can visit the magnificent interiors of Hohenzollern Castle, which can be seen from afar on a high mountain cone. Those travelling the entire route should be prepared for a few climbs behind Schörzingen, near Gosheim and behind Tuttlingen.
Journey:
Esslingen and Ludwigshafen are well integrated into the DB network. It takes around 3.5 hours from Lake Constance back to the Neckar with one change in Friedrichshafen.
Tour combinations:
Can be combined with the Neckar Valley Cycle Route, the Württemberg Wine Cycle Route, the Swabian Alb Cycle Route, the Danube Cycle Route D6, the German Half-Timbered Road Cycle Route and the Lake Constance Cycle Route.
Accommodation tips:
Hotel am Schillerpark in Esslingen, www.hotel-am-schillerpark.de
Country hotel "Zur Schwane" in Balingen-Engstlatt, www.landhotel-schwane.de
Landgasthof Hecht in Orsingen, www.landgasthof-hecht.de
Hotel Martinshof in Rottenburg, www.martinshof-rottenburg.de
Palaces and castles:
Langenstein Castle in Orsingen-Nenzingen, www.schloss-langenstein.com
Zollern Castle in Balingen, www.balingen.de
Hohenzollern Castle near Hechingen, www.burg-hohenzollern.com
Hohenzollern State Museum in the Old Castle in Hechingen, www.hzl-museum.de
Villa Eugenia in Hechingen, www.villa-eugenia.de
Maps and literature:
Digital map at www.tourismus-bw.de/Media/Touren/Hohenzollern-Radweg
Kompass large-scale cycle tour map "Baden-Württemberg Süd" 1:125,000 for 10 euros.
Information: www.zollernalb.com
The complete article was published in Trekkingbike issue 2/2017. You can download the issue in the Trekkingbike app (iTunes and Google Play ) or in the DK-Shop order.
