Fichtenau: Cycling, Hiking and the Matzenbach Image Chapel

Fichtenau offers a range of ways to enjoy the outdoors: cycling routes, a hike through forests and meadows, the Matzenbach Image Chapel and cross-country ski trails in winter. The town lies at the intersection of four tourism regions and is a starting point for hiking, cycling, pilgrimage and driving tours. Which of these travel ideas you choose to focus on may also shape your search for a holiday apartment or holiday home.

Cycle to historic mills

The Mill Route is 23.5 kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 161 metres. It passes a series of 16 mill sites. This combines a clearly defined cycling tour with a succession of stops dedicated to mills. If you plan to take this route, you can use the 23.5 kilometres and 161 metres of elevation gain as specific points of reference for planning your day.

Another option is the 26.6-kilometre cycling tour around Fichtenau, with an elevation gain of 219 metres. The distance and elevation figures distinguish the two tours without implying anything about how long they take or how difficult they are. They offer two different route options for planning your trip: the Mill Route with its 16 sites, or the longer circuit around Fichtenau. If cycling is a focus of your stay, you can include Fichtenau specifically as a starting point when searching for accommodation.

Forests, ponds and trails

The forest and pond hike starts at Storchenweiher and leads through forests and meadows. It is 12.5 kilometres long and takes approximately three hours. The approximate duration and distance provide a specific framework for planning your day; the alternation of forest and meadows describes the character of the hike. This makes it easy to consider this tour as an option alongside the cycling routes.

The Matzenbach Image Chapel also offers a cultural reason to discover Fichtenau. The Matzenbach Image is housed in the chapel. Pilgrimages to Our Lady of Sorrows of Matzenbach date back to 1746. For orientation, a well-maintained road leads 1.5 kilometres southwest from Fichtenau-Matzenbach to the image chapel. The annual festival at the chapel is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in September.

Cross-country skiing and other activities

In winter, Fichtenau has up to four groomed cross-country ski trails. They start at easily accessible car parks and lead through picturesque landscapes. There may be as many as four trails, making them a seasonal consideration for anyone who wants to plan their trip around cross-country skiing. The Ratzental trail starts at the playground near the Matzenbach Image. The Hagenbusch trail starts at the car park by Stockweiher, at the Giants’ Playground.

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 rocks. The mini-golf course is located at the sports centre in Fichtenau-Matzenbach. There is also a kiosk serving snacks, ice cream, drinks and savoury bites. In addition to longer tours, these are specific leisure activities to choose from for a different kind of day out.

More local pages

You can also include the local pages for Crailsheim, Ilshofen, Sulzbach, Gerabronn, Wallhausen, Cröffelbach, Michelbach An Der Bilz and Blaufelden in your further travel planning.

For the wider travel overview: Schwäbisch Hall.