Discover Schöntal: Monastery, Jagst Valley and Trails

Schöntal Monastery is located in the green Jagst Valley and combines a striking monastery complex with a varied landscape. Schöntal Monastery is associated with a Baroque heritage and spiritual tranquillity. The history of the complex dates back to 1157: at that time, the monastery was founded as a Cistercian abbey by monks from Maulbronn. The grave of the Imperial Knight Gottfried “Götz” von Berlichingen is located in the cloister. This brings together monastic tradition, the memory of a historic figure and the landscape of the Jagst Valley in one place.

Culture and history

In the area surrounding Schöntal are Jagsthausen Castle and Hermersberg Castle. Osterburken Castle and the Bauland Local History Museum are also located in the surrounding area.

Further afield in the regional surroundings of Schöntal are Grammlich’s small animal park and the private weather station in Weberdorf.

Other destinations in this selection include Öhringen, Krautheim, Bretzfeld, Kupferzell, Weißbach, Niedernhall, Künzelsau and Pfedelbach.

Museum and historic site opening hours are part of the usual preparation for a visit and should be checked again for current accuracy before setting out.

Landscape and trails

Paths around Schöntal Monastery lead through fields and pastures. They pass the monastery fishponds, through woodland, over former monastic vineyards and along herb-rich nature trails. Open areas, water, woodland and traces of the former monastic use alternate along the paths. The former monastic vineyards in particular retain the historic connection to the use of the complex, while the fields, pastures and wooded areas form the surrounding landscape.

A signposted circular route, Circular Route 2, leads in the direction of Schöntal and can be walked in both directions. Zargenbuckel and Osterberg are also located nearby. When preparing for a hike, current information about trail conditions can be useful; in changeable weather, such details are part of the usual route planning. For circular routes, it is advisable to check the signposted course and the applicable information on trail conditions before setting out. This applies to hikes as well as cycling tours.

Cycling along the Jagst

The Jagst also serves as a reference point for cycling. A long-distance route follows the bends of the river between Bad Friedrichshall and Lauda. There is also a connection from Bad Mergentheim to Lauda.

In addition, Schöntal has a cycling guide with routes in the town and the surrounding region. Anyone preparing a cycling tour can check the current route conditions and the course of the respective route before setting out. The combination of the riverside route, local routes and regional connections gives cycling its own focus alongside visits to the monastery and walks through the landscape. For a cycling tour on a long-distance route, current route conditions can supplement the preparations. Current information about the route should also be checked before setting out when travelling between two towns.

To the overarching travel overview: Hohenlohe.