{"id":19447,"date":"2024-10-15T15:41:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T13:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=19447"},"modified":"2026-09-27T15:08:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T15:08:05","slug":"why-you-want-to-gravel-in-kraichgau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/waarom-jij-in-kraichgau-stromberg-wil-gravelen","title":{"rendered":"Why you want to gravel in Kraichgau-Stromberg"},"content":{"rendered":"

An hour's drive from Frankfurt, in the state of Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg, you'll find the Kraichgau-Stromberg region. To be honest, I've always driven past it with great enthusiasm. On the way to Freiburg (for the Black Forest), to Switzerland or further to Italy. That you can find Kraichgau-Stromberg<\/a> It can gravelly well, that you can actually guess. The nickname is the Land of the 1000 hills <\/em>(land of the 1000 hills) and they are dotted with beautiful gravel paths. Time to take a look there and tell you why you want to gravel in Kraichgau-Stromberg. At least, that's what we have to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the edge of the region<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Grape
Vineyards everywhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kraichgau_Stromberg,
Wonderful amidst the hills and vineyards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basecamp Knittlingen \u2013 Gravelen in Kraichgau-Stromberg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I pull up my bike bag and backpack towards the church of Knittlingen at the end of August, I can\u2019t yet imagine what awaits me. After all, I\u2019ve only been given a hotel name. Gasthaus Faust<\/a>, In the middle of Knittlingen. I had never heard of Knittlingen, let alone be able to point it out on a map. Faust doesn\u2019t refer to the \u2018famous\u2019 Faust, but to \u2018the other one\u2019. Also handy. But still. I\u2019m here, so I\u2019m all in. As it turns out, there\u2019s a veritable welcome committee. One of the co-owners of the almost brand new guesthouse in the town is waiting for me. An animated conversation ensues and I\u2019m sold immediately. What a wonderful place. Once inside, my mouth dropped open. The half-timbered house has been beautifully renovated and everything exudes high-quality luxury. The rooms are no different. Space, tranquility, a lovely bed. It\u2019s going to be a treat. Should I try the menu too? We\u2019ll see about that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting to know the region<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I quickly notice that this region is an ideal gravel area. On the way to Knittlingen, I can already see the vines and the hills around me. Sometimes I see a nice path rising up, but more often I also see forests and fields. That means: lots of unpaved roads, so lots of beautiful gravel. The region itself is also aware of this. We receive a whole bunch of varied routes in advance. A nice mix of challenge and relaxation, we\u2019ll also notice later on. I say \u2018we\u2019 consciously, because on this trip I\u2019m not alone. For partner platform SieWielrent.nl<\/a> Dorien and Sandra are involved. Experienced world travelers who have already visited many exotic countries with the gravel bike. Kraichgau-Stromberg fits in well with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My partners<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Gasthaus
Gasthaus Faust, next to the church in Knittlingen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The region in a nutshell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walk around the neighborhood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We start our journey with a ride around the neighborhood. A warm-up ride as it\u2019s so nice to get moving. A coffee ride at this time of day (late afternoon) is not logical. More of a pre-dinner ride. On to the vineyards and the Monastery of Maulbronn, one of the highlights of the region. We\u2019ll take a closer look at the monastery later, but it provides a beautiful backdrop during the first ride. From there we head into the fields and forests. The signs list beautiful village names like \u2018Zaiserswieher\u2019 and \u2018Freudenstein\u2019. Here you\u2019ll find those beautiful long gravel paths that we miss so much in the Netherlands. There\u2019s still room for that here, because there\u2019s so much land and relatively few people. Yet you\u2019re never really alone. We see other cyclists, greet hikers and dog lovers. Everything is pleasant together. We conclude this neighborhood ride with a beautiful descent towards Knittlingen. The dinner at Clubhaus 1920<\/a> is just as surprising and pleasant as this first ride. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtyard of Maulbronn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Even look at the map<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The beautiful monastery of Maulbronn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Delicious \u2018Taste\u2019 route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next day we are in for a wonderful adventure. We go into the woods, via the monastery of Maulbronn, towards the Neckar River near Besigheim. There is also our first stop of the day at Kramer\u2019s Biergarten. Highly praised and we are looking forward to it. To get there we still have to travel a bit. It is about half of our tour (which is more than 100km in total) and we also have to travel on unpaved roads. Plus taking the photos makes it necessary to go a little further. But with an environment like this, where we cross through the vineyards and then enter the forests, that is no problem at all. We sporadically see other cyclists and encounter villages and towns along the way. In Sachsenheim we stop for a coffee and something sweet. Nothing wrong with that, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Kramer\u2019s Biergarten<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our sub-goal is therefore Kramer\u2019s Biergarten in Besigheim. By the way, would the name Heimwee come from here? There are many villages and towns that end in \u2018heim\u2019 in German. Also in the Alsace, by the way, but that could also have to do with the German-French relations there. In Bietigheim-Bissingen, we drive through the Japanese gardens to pick up the river there and then head towards Besigheim. We follow the water and in Besigheim we whirl through the old town, with beautiful half-timbered houses, to Kramer\u2019s Biergarten. There we are treated to local cuisine with Maultaschen (a specialty), a good burger and a 0.0% beer. Because we still have a long way to go afterwards!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In Besigheim, with a view of the vines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Maultaschen, with side dishes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kramer\u2019s Biergarten<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rivers \u2013 Views<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The lunch is therefore delicious and we continue our journey towards Heilbronn. We follow the river and at Laufen we cross over to the right bank. This provides some beautiful scenery. Shortly afterwards, near the Horkheim lock, we cross back again. Heilbronn and the Heuchelberg<\/a> Technically, it is located just outside the Kraichgau-Stromberg area. However, we call it that because of the view from the Heuchelberg. This location is perfect for a drink and we are completely delighted by the view. Not for nothing is it a popular wedding location! From there, we head west and return via the forests and along some lakes to our home base Knittlingen. Tired but definitely satisfied, we park the bike back at Gasthaus Faust. The dinner in the evening in Maulbronn is just as good as the day before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Over the water at Laufen am Neckar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Convenient hanging system at Heuchelberger Warte<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from the Heuchelberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A round of wine and H\u00fcgelfest (that\u2019s wine)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On our last day of travel, we head west from Knittlingen. The goal? To experience the H\u00fcgelfest, which we are highly recommended to do. For this trip, we will ride a total of 65km on horseback and take in some beautiful highlights along the way. It\u2019s true \u2018h\u00fcgel\u2019, because the hills are also noticeable here. We first head towards Bretten, where we also pick up Lena from the local tourism office. She knows the route better than we do and heads in the direction of Bruchsal. The viewpoint just before the city on the Michaelsberg is a must-see. You can also immortalize yourself on the Global web!<\/a> The descent afterwards is a bit technical, but it's also doable with a gravel bike. Once we're in the city, we let ourselves be spoiled with spaghetti ice cream. If there's anything that's a childhood memory, it's spaghetti ice cream. The other surprise is Bruchsal Castle<\/a>. A beautiful castle with a garden and outdoor space. Impressive and unexpected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the Michaelsberg with a view over Bruchsal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The crew!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nice descent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The best spaghetti<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Treat me, dine me!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wine and more<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I already said: the region is all about wine. You can see so many vines, for example, along the Moselle, or in northern Italy. Also when you go gravel biking in the Kraichgau-Stromberg area. With the gravel bike you can often cycle through the vines as well. Not too often, be careful. Outside Bruchsal we first make a stop at Klumpp. A hypermodern winery that also grows organically (and biodynamically). Wow. Truly stunning to behold. A tiny nip of the local elixir should be enough, right? It shouldn\u2019t get in the way of our ride towards Weingut Klenert for the festivities. The route through the Kraichbach valley rounds it all off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Almost there<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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At Klenert \u2013 also a Hugel partner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Beautiful views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why and when should you go?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reason to go gravel biking in Kraichgau-Stromberg is the combination of friendly people, gastronomy (and of course the wine), and the beautiful gravel routes. I had forgotten for a moment how good you are at Germany<\/a> You can go gravel biking. So often I let myself be surprised by a new environment, but this time it\u2019s completely justified. Long gravel paths through the forest, the vineyards, the climbs, and then of course beautiful viewpoints. The stops at the wine farms, at the \u2018eisdielen\u2019 (i.e. the ice cream parlors). Everything just fits together perfectly. The best time to go is the edges of summer and the autumn and winter. We were cycling at 35+ degrees one day, and then it\u2019s really hot even in the forest. You could do better in the autumn and winter. Just be prepared for more rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You want that every day, right? In the summer it might be a bit too warm, but in spring and autumn it\u2019s great!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tips for a delicious pit stop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re going graveling in Kraichgau-Stromberg, you\u2019ll need a pit stop from time to time. Here are our tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n