Fichtenau: Cycling Tours, Pilgrimage and Winter Trails

Fichtenau is a starting point for hiking, cycling and pilgrimage tours, as well as drives. Options range from cycling routes with specified distances and elevation gains to a hike through forests and meadows. There is also the Matzenbach Image Chapel, winter cross-country ski trails and other activities such as mini golf in Fichtenau-Matzenbach. When planning your trip, you can consider which of these themes you would like to shape your stay.

Cycling Tours with Different Route Distances

The Mill Route is a 23.5-kilometre cycling tour with 161 metres of elevation gain. Along the way, it passes 16 mill sites. This means the route combines its specified tour details with a clear theme that runs throughout.

Another option is the cycling tour around Fichtenau: it is 26.6 kilometres long and has 219 metres of elevation gain. In direct numerical comparison, it is 3.1 kilometres longer than the Mill Route and includes 58 metres more elevation gain. These differences in distance and ascent help you compare the two tours based on their stated measurements.

Hiking and Pilgrimage

The Forest and Pond Hike starts at the Stork Pond and leads through forests and meadows. The 12.5-kilometre route is estimated to take about three hours. The distance and approximate time give you two concrete points of reference for planning a day of hiking.

The Matzenbach Image Chapel offers a different focus. It houses the Matzenbach Image; the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Sorrows of Matzenbach dates back to 1746. From Fichtenau-Matzenbach, a well-maintained 1.5-kilometre path leads southwest to the chapel. The annual Image Festival is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in September. This lets you connect your visit both with the pilgrimage tradition and with a recurring date in the annual calendar.

More Things to Do in Matzenbach

The Giants' Playground has a climbing wall, a slide, a rope-balancing course and swings. There is also a lookout in the crow's nest and large boulders. The site offers a range of individual features that shape the visit.

A mini-golf course is located at the sports centre in Fichtenau-Matzenbach. It adds an activity that can be considered separately from the cycling and hiking routes described above.

Cross-Country Skiing in Winter

In winter, Fichtenau has up to four groomed cross-country ski trails. They start at easily accessible car parks and lead through picturesque landscapes. One of the named trails is the Ratzental Trail, which starts at the playground near the Matzenbach Image. The Hagenbusch Trail starts at the car park by Stockweiher, at the Giants' Playground. These two starting points give you a specific reference when choosing a trail for your winter stay.

Discover more destinations: Mainhardt, Bühlerzell, Vellberg, Schrozberg, Kreßberg, Gerabronn, Oberrot, Bühlertann.

Return to the main travel overview: Schwäbisch Hall.