Etappe 4 - Kocher-Jagst-Radweg: Von Bad Friedrichshall bis Dörzbach – Durchs ritterliche Jagsttal

In Bad Friedrichshall, you say goodbye to the beloved Kocher, which joins the Neckar here. Just a few hundred meters further on, you welcome its twin river, the Jagst. This will now accompany you for the next three days on your way back to Aalen. And someone else will be present in many places on this 66 km stage to Dörzbach: Götz von Berlichingen, the knight with the iron fist, who wreaked havoc here in the region 500 years ago.

You are now on your way back to the starting point of Aalen and follow the Jagst upstream. This means that from now on the route is slightly and continuously uphill. But don't worry, the route is almost always at river level without any steep inclines, so the 66 km to Dörzbach are easy to manage.Today's stage is also a journey through time into the exciting life of Götz von Berlichingen, the knight with the iron fist and inventor of the "Swabian salute", who became famous thanks to the play of the same name by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was born in Jagsthausen, Möckmühl and Krautheim were stations in his adventurous life, and he was buried in Schöntal Abbey. Immerse yourself in the unusual and adventurous life of our region's most famous protagonist, for example with a visit to Götzenburg Castle, where Goethe's "Götz" and other plays are performed in the castle courtyard on summer evenings as part of the castle festival.

This stage also has a lot to offer in terms of scenery. Just after Jagstfeld, the cycle path winds its way through the picturesque Jagsttal valley with its vineyards, and every bend in the deeply incised river valley offers a variety of views. This stage also takes you through beautiful original villages, such as the picturesque Möckmühl, which is ideal for a break with its medieval ambience and numerous cozy cafés and restaurants.

For your regional provisions, a detour to the Heuchlingen fruit vending machine is a good idea. Here, Heuchlinger fruit and juices are available around the clock in a variety that is second to none. In some cases, you can find old, original fruit varieties that have not been on the market for a long time.The village store in Jagsthausen is also a good place for a quick stop to recharge your batteries. The cooperatively run village store with café, bike service point, e-bike and e-car charging station is a successful example of social cohesion and local supply in rural areas.

Before you reach today's stage town of Dörzbach, another highlight of the tour awaits you: Schöntal Abbey. With its imposing double-tower façade, the historic monastery is definitely worth a visit. A little tip: don't miss out on an afternoon refreshment in the monastery café with its large selection of cakes.