4.6
(2346)
12,401
riders
420
rides
Touring cycling routes around Ratshausen are situated within the Swabian Jura, a region characterized by its unique geological formations and diverse landscapes. The area features the idyllic Schlichem Valley, where the Schlichem river meanders through wetlands and various forest types. Cyclists can expect a mix of terrain, including asphalted sections, field paths, and unpaved segments, with elevations ranging from gentle slopes to more challenging climbs along the Alb escarpment. The region is part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb,…
Last updated: May 24, 2026
4.5
(13)
50
riders
17.5km
01:11
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(9)
38
riders
57.6km
03:39
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

Sign up for free
5.0
(7)
37
riders
21.8km
01:18
140m
140m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(9)
25
riders
10.4km
00:38
100m
100m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
23
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Waldschenke - Good refreshment stop at the reservoir 🌊 - Schömberg - Zollernalbkreis
1
0
The Schlichemtalsperre (also known as Schömberger Stausee, mostly just called Stausee locally) east of Schömberg in Baden-Württemberg dams the Schlichem, a tributary of the Neckar coming from the Swabian Jura. The 90.6 ha Schömberger Stausee mit Palmbühl landscape protection area surrounds the Schlichemtalsperre. The approximately 1.35 km long and initially narrow reservoir, widening to about 175 m towards the end, with an area of 10.4 ha at 643.8 m above sea level (NHN), begins at the hamlet of Untere Säge and extends to the old town center of Schömberg. It has a catchment area of about 33.5 km², to which the Schlichem, over 11 km long at its inflow, contributes almost 90%. The watercourses Hölzlegraben from the forest to the right of the lake and Scheubühlgraben and Räßentälebach from the left, up to 1.2 km long, flow into it from the sides. A fish ladder leads from the Vorsee pre-reservoir near Untere Säge to the reservoir. There is also the only bridge over the lake that can be walked and driven on. The Schlichem Viaduct can only be used by the railway. The Schlichemtalsperre was built between 1940 and 1944. The Portlandzementwerk Rudolf Rohrbach KG (today Holcim (Süddeutschland) GmbH), based in neighboring Dotternhausen, which was the client for the dam, initially used it for cooling water supply and power generation. An outdoor swimming pool built in 1935 was flooded. After World War II, the facility was taken over by the state of Württemberg-Hohenzollern in 1948. The reservoir was renovated from 1975 to 1983. The barrier structure is an earth dam, and the hydropower plant within it has an output of 60 kW. There is a pre-reservoir, the Vorsee, which was built from 1975 to 1977. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlichemtalsperre
1
0
The Schlichemtalsperre (also known as Schömberger Stausee, mostly just called Stausee locally) east of Schömberg in Baden-Württemberg dams the Schlichem, a tributary of the Neckar coming from the Swabian Jura. The 90.6 ha Schömberger Stausee mit Palmbühl nature reserve surrounds the Schlichemtalsperre. The approximately 1.35 km long and initially narrow reservoir, which widens to about 175 m towards the end and has an area of 10.4 ha at 643.8 m above sea level (NHN), begins at the hamlet of Untere Säge and extends to the old town center of Schömberg. It has a catchment area of about 33.5 km², to which the Schlichem, already over 11 km long at its mouth, contributes almost 90%. The watercourses Hölzlegraben from the forest to the right of the lake and Scheubühlgraben and Räßentälebach from the left, which are up to 1.2 km long, flow into it from the sides. From the Vorsee forebay near the Untere Säge, a fish ladder leads to the reservoir. There is also the only bridge over the lake that can be walked and driven on. The Schlichem Viaduct can only be used by the railway. The Schlichemtalsperre was built between 1940 and 1944. The Portlandzementwerk Rudolf Rohrbach KG (today Holcim (Süddeutschland) GmbH) in neighboring Dotternhausen, which was the builder of the dam, initially used it for cooling water and electricity generation. An outdoor swimming pool built in 1935 was flooded. After the Second World War, the facility was taken over by the state of Württemberg-Hohenzollern in 1948. The reservoir was renovated from 1975 to 1983. The dam structure is an earth dam, and the hydropower plant within it has a capacity of 60 kW. There is a forebay called Vorsee, which was built from 1975 to 1977. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlichemtalsperre
1
0
The Schlichemtalsperre (also Schömberger Stausee, usually just called Stausee locally) east of Schömberg in Baden-Württemberg dams the Schlichem, a tributary of the Neckar coming from the Swabian Jura. The 90.6-hectare Schömberger Stausee mit Palmbühl landscape protection area surrounds the Schlichemtalsperre. The approximately 1.35 km long and initially narrow reservoir, which widens to about 175 m towards the end, with an area of 10.4 hectares at 643.8 m above sea level, begins at the hamlet of Untere Säge and extends to the old town center of Schömberg. It has a catchment area of approximately 33.5 km², to which the Schlichem, which is already over 11 km long at the inflow, contributes almost 90%. The Hölzlegraben from the forest to the right of the lake and the Scheubühlgraben and Räßentälebach from the left flow into it. From the Vorsee forebay near the Untere Säge, a fish ladder leads to the reservoir. There is also the only bridge over the lake that can be walked and driven on. The Schlichem Viaduct can only be used by the railway. The Schlichemtalsperre was built between 1940 and 1944. The Portlandzementwerk Rudolf Rohrbach KG (today Holcim (Süddeutschland) GmbH) based in neighboring Dotternhausen, which was the client for the dam, initially used it for cooling water and electricity generation. An outdoor swimming pool built in 1935 was flooded. After the Second World War, the facility was taken over by the state of Württemberg-Hohenzollern in 1948. The reservoir was renovated from 1975 to 1983. The dam is an earth dam, and the hydropower plant within it has a capacity of 60 kW. There is a forebay, the Vorsee, which was built from 1975 to 1977. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlichemtalsperre
3
0
The Roman Catholic parish church of St. Afra stands in Obernheim, a municipality in the Zollernalb district of Baden-Württemberg. The parish belongs to the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The building is listed as a historical monument by the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments in Baden-Württemberg. The hall church, originally built between 1753 and 1755 according to plans by Johann Caspar Bagnato, was incorporated into a new building in 1924 as a transept, based on a design by Wilhelm Friedrich Laur. The former nave, spanned by a barrel vault, and the chancel are decorated with frescoes by Giuseppe Appiani. The Assumption of Mary is depicted in the nave, and the Trinity in the chancel. Four Church Fathers are depicted on the pulpit parapet, and Saint Wendelin on the sounding board. The organ on the gallery was built in 1973 as Opus 149 by Stehle Orgelbau. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Afra_(Obernheim)
1
0
Schömberger Reservoir
1
0
In summer, it's often used for swimming and relaxing! But it's also beautiful any time of year.
6
0
There are over 400 touring cycling routes around Ratshausen, offering a wide variety of options for different preferences and skill levels. The komoot community has explored these routes extensively, with more than 12,300 touring cyclists using komoot to discover the area.
The routes in Ratshausen, situated within the Swabian Jura, feature a diverse mix of terrain. You can expect asphalted sections, field paths, and unpaved segments. Elevations range from gentle slopes to more challenging climbs, particularly along the Alb escarpment. The idyllic Schlichem Valley also offers varied surfaces, including forest paths and gravel sections.
Yes, the touring cycling network around Ratshausen caters to all skill levels. There are 68 easy routes perfect for a relaxed ride, 202 moderate routes for those seeking a bit more challenge, and 143 difficult routes for experienced cyclists looking for a demanding adventure. An example of an easy route is the Schömberg Reservoir – Schömberg Reservoir loop from Ratshausen, which is 6.5 miles (10.4 km) long.
The region offers breathtaking natural landmarks and panoramic viewpoints. You can cycle past the Lemberg Tower, which provides expansive vistas, or explore routes that lead to the Plettenberg plateau, known for its stunning views along the Albtrauf ridge. Other notable natural features include the Lochenstein summit cross and the Rainen Summit.
Yes, the area around Ratshausen features several beautiful waterfalls that can be incorporated into your cycling tours. You might consider routes that pass by the Zillhausen Waterfall or the Eyach Waterfall at Balingen Castle. The Schlichem Valley itself also features small waterfalls along its course.
Many touring cycling routes around Ratshausen are designed as loops, making them convenient for starting and ending at the same point. For instance, the Bärenthal on the Bära River – Beeramühle loop from Ratshausen is a challenging 33.2-mile (53.5 km) route, while the Schömberg reservoir – View of the Schömberg Reservoir loop from Hausen am Tann offers a moderate 16.7-mile (26.9 km) option.
The Swabian Jura region is generally pleasant for cycling from spring through autumn. Spring brings blooming landscapes, while summer offers warm weather. Autumn provides beautiful foliage. Winter cycling might be possible on cleared paths, but some unpaved sections could be challenging due to weather conditions.
Yes, Ratshausen offers several easy routes suitable for families. These often feature gentler slopes and less demanding terrain. The Schömberg Reservoir – Schömberg Reservoir loop from Ratshausen is an excellent easy option, providing a pleasant ride around the reservoir.
Absolutely. Ratshausen is integrated into longer regional and long-distance routes, such as the Swabian Jura North Rim Trail (HW1) and the Main-Neckar-Rhine Trail (HW3). These connections allow for multi-day touring cycling adventures, exploring the wider Swabian Jura region.
The touring cycling routes around Ratshausen are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 2,300 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse landscapes, the unique geological formations of the Swabian Jura, and the idyllic beauty of the Schlichem Valley. The mix of asphalted and natural paths also receives positive feedback.
Yes, the region around Ratshausen is rich in history and culture. Along routes, you can discover medieval castle ruins, former mills, and the baroque Palmbühl pilgrimage church. The Ecumenical chapel – St. Afra Church, Obernheim loop from Hausen am Tann is an example of a route that takes you past cultural landmarks.
Many routes in the region pass through or near charming villages and towns where you can find cafes, restaurants, and traditional guesthouses for refreshment. While specific stops vary by route, planning your tour with komoot allows you to identify points of interest and potential stops like the Gasthaus Rumpelkiste, which is featured on the Beeramühle – Gasthaus Rumpelkiste loop from Weilen unter den Rinnen.


Browse the best Cycling routes in other regions.