Brenz Cycle Route: source to the Danube – Heidenheim Brenz Region

Four rivers have their source in the Aalen area on the Eastern Alb: Kocher, Jagst, Rems and Brenz. Kocher, Jagst and Rems were already there (https://www.komoot.de/collection/998263/-der-neckar-und-seine-zufluesse?page=2) today to complement the Brenz. The Brenzquelle is very close to the Kocherquelle, in between lies the European watershed. Brenz -> Danube -> Black Sea Kocher -> Neckar -> Rhine -> North Sea. The Brenz is approx. 52 km long, with a difference in altitude between the source and its mouth in the Danube of 77 m, i.e. it flows very slowly. Advantage: no inclines or slopes. There are three things that I think are remarkable about this tour: 1. By far the most beautiful section is the Eselsburger Tal. The Brenz makes a loop where the small village Eselsburg (very good farm shop) is located. Hardly any cars, untouched natural landscape and ideal for a short break. 2. After Gingen the valley widens, the bike path is again closer to the river on car-free roads. Gundelfingen on the Danube has a special Upper Austrian character. 3. You have to stop through the heavily industrialized cities of Heidenheim and partly also Gingen. You cross the Württembergisch - Bavarian border unnoticed, you can tell it from the white and blue diamonds and the better developed outdoor catering :-). Was a nice return from a knee injury. All paths are good or very easy to drive, the signs are good, there are also informative information boards about nature and the landscape.

Cycled through the beautiful Brenztal with the Eselsburger Tal to the Danube. Great tour with the best Indian summer weather. By the way, we were inspired for this part of the tour by @Sigge🚌💨, it was definitely worth it.

This beautiful spring day was just right for the varied Brenz Tour. It begins at the source of the Brenz in Königsbronn and ends in Lauingen, where the Brenz flows into the Danube. You drive through smaller and larger towns, across meadows, along the edge of the forest... but always close by, mostly directly on the Brenz. It's very interesting what you can see there: fish, frogs, all kinds of ducks with their offspring and nests, egrets, storks...even a beaver!

This was my first bike tour of the year. I only found the Brenz Cycle Path attractive on certain sections. I didn't like the fact that the cycle path often ran on public roads (albeit well signposted) through residential or industrial areas.