The tour starts at the parking lot on Nepperbergstraße next to the Kletterschmiede in Schwäbisch Gmünd Nord-West, 400 m west of the railroad underpass at the back of the train station. In 2014, this was also the main entrance to the most successful State Garden Show in Baden-Württemberg to date. From here, we cycle into town, then turn right and go through the Taubental underpass to the other side of the railway tracks. From here, the “Gmünder GartenSchau Route” is also marked with a slide-in sign under the destination signs with white lettering on a green background. At the station forecourt, which was generously redesigned in 2014, we cross the road and enter the new Remspark. After crossing the renaturalized Rems with a view of the redesigned city park with its Rococo castle, leaving it on our right, we turn left towards the “Forum Gold und Silber.” With its golden façade and cubic shape reminiscent of the once dominant jewelry industry in Gmünd, it has become the new landmark of the city. After crossing the Josefbach stream, we continue straight ahead towards the city center. At the end of Ledergasse, we pass through the Spitalbogen archway to the market square, one of the most beautiful in southern Germany. Now we keep left towards Kappelgasse, where after a few meters we turn left again. We follow the bike path via Honig- and Schmiedgasse towards the cemetery and Leonhardkirche church.
From here, cross the road at the traffic lights towards the WELEDA building and continue on the footpath and cycle path towards WELEDA, then turn right to the WELEDA pharmacy. Now turn left into Möhlerstraße and then right onto Moltkestraße, crossing Buchstraße. Then turn right onto Wilhelmstraße and follow the cycle route towards the city center until you reach Oberbettringer Straße. After crossing this street, the route continues along Gemeindehausstraße towards Zeiselberg. For the Remstal Garden Show 2019, this was redesigned into a vineyard with a tube slide and a crowning beer garden. Sporty types (or pedelec owners) can manage the short but very steep climb to Zeiselberg, otherwise park your bike at the bottom and walk the few meters uphill. A beautiful view over the old town (and possibly a cool drink) reward the climb.
Continue along the bike path at the foot of Zeiselberg to the end of the vineyard and then turn left towards Klarenbergstraße. After about 150 meters, turn sharply right and then cross Sebaldplatz, which was also redesigned for the Remstal Garden Show, and continue towards the city center, past the St. Loreto building and the Heilig-Kreuz-Münster cathedral, to the market square.
Cross the market square to Spitalbogen and then return via Ledergasse to the underpass at the train station. Then continue straight ahead into Taubental, passing the cloister of the Salvator pilgrimage site on your left. You may wish to leave your bike here and visit the old landmark of the city. It is definitely worth climbing up to the 15th-century rock churches, which were carved out of the solid rock.
The cycle route is initially flat until the fork in Taubental, then keeps to the right and becomes increasingly steep towards Himmelsgarten, the area at the top of the hill where the main part of the State Garden Show took place in 2014. Keep right at the first fork at the forest car park, then turn right at the intersection in front of the climbing garden in the treetops below the Himmelsgarten and ride slightly uphill. After about 800 meters, turn right towards Lindenturm, the Gmünd landmark of the 2019 Remstal Garden Show. Then ride briefly uphill just before the ventilation tower of the Einhorn Tunnel. If you want to visit the tower, ride along the gardens on the right at the top until you reach the wooden observation tower and then take the same route back. The cycle route then turns onto Franz-Konrad-Straße. The beer museum is located at the junction and, if you're lucky, the bar will be open. Continue slightly uphill to the left towards Schönblick.
Schönblick is a Christian guest house with a hotel and conference center surrounded by beautiful gardens. The historic building, dating from 1915, is located on the western edge of the hillside. If you would like to visit the gardens, turn left at Café Schönblick and enter the grounds. Then return to Franz-Konrad-Straße and turn left after about 200 meters onto the street “Am Schönblick.” From here, we reach the side entrance of the Himmelgarten landscape park, a family leisure area with many attractions that has become popular beyond the region. Drive through the grounds towards the Himmelsstürmer observation tower, past the mini golf course and the large water playground, to the main entrance, where the entrance to the WELEDA Park is located opposite.
Cross the road here and cycle approx. 500 meters on the cycle path to the right of the road towards Wustenriet, then turn right to the WELEDA garden. Here, medicinal plants for natural products are cultivated according to anthroposophical principles. Ride through the fields with a view of the Dreikaiserberge mountains to Wustenriet, continue straight ahead, then cross the quiet road and ride along the edge of the forest on the right at the nursery. In the forest, go straight ahead at the first intersection towards Salvator/city center. Now follow Sebastian Kneipp-Weg downhill towards Schwäbisch Gmünd train station. After a short, steeper descent, you can access Salvator from above. You will need to cycle back down again. The main route continues to the right through the forest into Taubental. Our cycle route ends on Taubentalstraße, continuing straight ahead to the back of the train station and possibly continuing right to the parking lot at the climbing gym.
