Report on the Neckar Valley Cycle Path

Sofronio Cobos

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·
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Report on the Neckar Valley Cycle Path with Highlights & Tips per Stage (+ Route in Komoot)

The 370 km long Neckar Valley Cycle Path runs from Villingen-Schwenningen (Black Forest in the south of Baden-Württemberg) officially in eight stages along the Neckar to Mannheim (Kurpfalz in the north of Baden-Württemberg), where the Neckar flows into the Rhine. Officially, it's described as "THE most contrasting river cycle path in Germany" on the website. I completely agree, as I have never seen a more beautiful combination of half-timbered towns, wine villages, the major cities of Stuttgart and Mannheim, and the castles and fortresses overlooking the Neckar Valley. The long-distance cycle path is rated ADFC 4 stars and is also ideal for children and beginners.

Key Highlights

The Neckar Valley Cycle Path offers you a wonderful mix of beautiful landscapes, castles, and history over a length of 370 km, including wine-growing regions and historic towns.

The route is rated as an ADFC 4-star route and is suitable for cyclists of all interests and abilities, with easy to moderate difficulty levels and family-friendly paths.

The cycle path is well signposted. There are free maps and digital planning tools like Komoot, making trip planning easier.

In this article, you will find the most beautiful sights along the route.

  • The Neckar Valley Cycle Path offers you a wonderful mix of beautiful landscapes, castles, and history over a length of 370 km, including wine-growing regions and historic towns.
  • The route is rated as an ADFC 4-star route and is suitable for cyclists of all interests and abilities, with easy to moderate difficulty levels and family-friendly paths.
  • The cycle path is well signposted. There are free maps and digital planning tools like Komoot, making trip planning easier.
  • In this article, you will find the most beautiful sights along the route.

I myself live "in the middle of it" in Heilbronn, grew up near Bad Wimpfen (a district of Neckarsulm), and have known the cycle paths along the Neckar since childhood. Now I have started to ride the individual stages again myself and document them via GPS. Here you will find the highlights and sights along the stages and tips for accommodations, dining options, and activities.

The descriptions are being gradually updated by me. I do not ride the stages all at once, but I keep making trips - either day trips or on weekends with my camper and gravel bike.

Why the Neckar Valley Cycle Path is Worthwhile for Everyone

I really didn't believe it myself, but the direction is chosen for a reason: the route goes slightly downhill almost all the time, with only short ascents occasionally. Almost always, you can cycle directly along the river almost without incline from the source of the Neckar in the Schwenninger Moos near Villingen-Schwenningen to the city of Mannheim. Here the Neckar joins the Rhine. The beautiful route is also ideal for beginners and newcomers.

Facts and Data about the Neckar Valley Cycle Path:

Total Distance: approx. 370 km

Difficulty Level: Easy

Elevation Gain: 231 m

Elevation Loss: 841 m (almost continuously downhill)

Start: Officially in Villingen-Schwenningen, you can also start anywhere else.

Travel Time: Officially 8 stages, you can also take rest days to explore (ideal for Tübingen, Esslingen, Stuttgart, Heilbronn, Heidelberg, and Mannheim)

  • Total Distance: approx. 370 km
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Elevation Gain: 231 m
  • Elevation Loss: 841 m (almost continuously downhill)
  • Start: Officially in Villingen-Schwenningen, you can also start anywhere else.
  • Travel Time: Officially 8 stages, you can also take rest days to explore (ideal for Tübingen, Esslingen, Stuttgart, Heilbronn, Heidelberg, and Mannheim)

Which Bike for the Neckar Valley Cycle Path?

Theoretically, you can ride any bike. However, I advise against riding a racing bike, as there are many paths with gravel (even rough) and a lot of cobblestones in the towns. It was a bit uncomfortable even with my gravel bike without suspension.

Highlights

For me, the most beautiful stages are from Besigheim to Bad Wimpfen, the stages from Tübingen to Esslingen, and from Bad Wimpfen to Heidelberg. Personally, I regularly ride from Heilbronn to Besigheim or take the train to Stuttgart and cycle back to Heilbronn. If you run out of energy, you can get on the S-Bahn or train anywhere and ride to your destination.

Stage 1: Villingen-Schwenningen - Rottweil

Start your bike tour in the twin towns of Villingen-Schwenningen. Villingen was once in Baden and Schwenningen in Württemberg. As a non-resident of Baden-Württemberg, I can tell you: it's a big topic whether Baden or Swabian.

The old town in Villingen is worth seeing. Head to Schwenningen, where you can see the source of the Neckar coming from an opening in the marsh. From now on, the river Neckar is your constant companion.

Since the Neckar is more like a stream here, this section is also referred to as 'Neckartäle' near Dauchingen and Deißlingen.

At the end of the stage, you will reach the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg: Rottweil, which has over 2000 years of history.

Sights Along Stage 1

Old Town Hall in Schwenningen

Historic Old Town in Rottweil (Black Gate, High Tower, notable citizen houses)

  • Old Town Hall in Schwenningen
  • Historic Old Town in Rottweil (Black Gate, High Tower, notable citizen houses)

Stage 2: Rottweil - Horb am Neckar

After starting in Rottweil, the oldest city in Baden-Württemberg, the path takes you to the ruins of Neckarburg. The route passes through impressive landscapes with steep slopes and gorge-like side valleys where the Black Forest meets the Swabian Jura. In Oberndorf, you can visit the Narrenbrunnen, which commemorates the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet. Other highlights include the Jewish synagogue in Rexingen and the water castle in Glatt.

Sights Along Stage 2:

Water Castle Glatt

Ruins of Neckarburg

Narrenbrunnen in Oberndorf

Jewish Synagogue in Rexingen

  • Water Castle Glatt
  • Ruins of Neckarburg
  • Narrenbrunnen in Oberndorf
  • Jewish Synagogue in Rexingen

Stage 3: Horb am Neckar - Tübingen

This stage takes you through several half-timbered towns with rich histories and modern flair. In Rottenburg am Neckar, you can discover Roman remains and medieval architecture. The route ends in the university town of Tübingen, known for its old town and Hohentübingen Castle.

Sights Along Stage 3

Old Town of Rottenburg am Neckar

Hohentübingen Castle

Old Town of Tübingen

  • Old Town of Rottenburg am Neckar
  • Hohentübingen Castle
  • Old Town of Tübingen

Stage 4: Tübingen - Esslingen am Neckar

On this stage, the Neckar becomes navigable from Plochingen and turns into a federal waterway. The route passes through the historic half-timbered town of Nürtingen, where the St. Laurentius Church towers over the old town. In Esslingen, you will find a well-preserved old town with numerous half-timbered houses.

Sights Along Stage 4

Old Town of Nürtingen

St. Laurentius Church in Nürtingen

Old Town of Esslingen am Neckar

  • Old Town of Nürtingen
  • St. Laurentius Church in Nürtingen
  • Old Town of Esslingen am Neckar

Stage 5: Esslingen am Neckar - Besigheim

This stage takes you through the heart of Württemberg. You pass the capital Stuttgart and the magnificent residence in Ludwigsburg. In Ludwigsburg, you can visit the Zugwiesen, a renatured floodplain area. The stage ends in Besigheim, known for its well-preserved old town.

Sights Along Stage 5

Stuttgart

Ludwigsburg Residence

Zugwiesen in Ludwigsburg

Old Town of Besigheim

  • Stuttgart
  • Ludwigsburg Residence
  • Zugwiesen in Ludwigsburg
  • Old Town of Besigheim

Stage 6: Besigheim - Bad Wimpfen

This stage takes you not only through my hometown (Heilbronn and a small suburb where I was born) but also through picturesque wine villages and past impressive steep slopes. In Gundelsheim, you can visit Castle Horneck and the Falconry on Burg Guttenberg. The stage ends in Bad Wimpfen with its historic old town and the Kaiserpfalz.

Sights Along Stage 6

Heilbronn (experimenta) - check out all my tips for Heilbronn

Castle Horneck in Gundelsheim

Falconry on Burg Guttenberg

Old Town and Kaiserpfalz in Bad Wimpfen

  • Heilbronn (experimenta) - check out all my tips for Heilbronn
  • Castle Horneck in Gundelsheim
  • Falconry on Burg Guttenberg
  • Old Town and Kaiserpfalz in Bad Wimpfen

Stage 7: Bad Wimpfen - Eberbach

This stage is characterized by a high density of castles, castle ruins, and palaces. You pass through the old town of Mosbach and the Zwingenberg Castle. In Eberbach, you will be greeted by a beautiful half-timbered town, where the Neckar turns west.

Sights Along Stage 7

Old Town of Mosbach

Zwingenberg Castle

Old Town of Eberbach

  • Old Town of Mosbach
  • Zwingenberg Castle
  • Old Town of Eberbach

Stage 8: Eberbach - Mannheim

The final stage offers a smooth transition from the mountains to the Rhine plain. You pass romantic little towns and impressive castles like Hirschhorn and Neckarsteinach. In Heidelberg, you can visit the famous castle before arriving in Mannheim, the destination of the Neckar Valley Cycle Path.

Sights Along Stage 8

Hirschhorn Castle

Neckarsteinach with four castles

Heidelberg Castle

Baroque Palace Mannheim

  • Hirschhorn Castle
  • Neckarsteinach with four castles
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Baroque Palace Mannheim

Getting There

Arrival by Train

You can ideally reach the Neckar Valley Cycle Path via Deutsche Bahn (German Railways). Regular trains with bike transport travel to both Villingen and Schwenningen. Mannheim is also excellently accessible nationwide by ICE, IC, or regional trains.

By Ship

With the Neckar Captain (operating from Stuttgart to Bad Wimpfen) or the White Fleet (Neckarsteinach and Heidelberg), you can also bring your bike on board if you can find a spot. These trips are truly picturesque. They are also ideal for riding a day stage and returning by ship instead of by train.

Good Bike Maps

Would you like printed bike maps or GPS versions? Here you can find my collection on Komoot for download (I use a Garmin Edge 830 for cycling) and a Garmin fenix 6S Pro watch to record GPS data and stages.

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