Rigi–Reuss–Klettgau

First you cross the Aare over the Mülisteig. Shortly thereafter the Aare is joined by the Reuss and Limmat rivers. The three continue amicably for the most part under the name Aare and travel together to the Rhine River through an area of declining Jurassic foothills, blue shimmering leek fields and wet rice. At the next bridge, you barely hear the burbling of the Aare because the traffic over the Stilli bridge drowns everything out. This is where the bike route leaves the river and heads for the Surbtal valley. Soon you meander through the hustle and bustle of Würenlingen and finally start the uphill section to the “Studenland” area. And a pretty region it is, the Studenland. Could it be named so because the forest was so overused that almost only shrubs (Stauden in German) are growing here today? The cows and sheep on the pastures seem to be happy either way. For bikers the area is perfect to take a deep breath and let go.

In Endingen and in neighbouring Lengnau - both villages are located directly on the Surb creek - the first synagogues in Switzerland were built. Even today they bear witness to the turbulent past of the Jewish settlements. After the Jews in Switzerland were driven out of the cities between 1623 and 1633, this was the only place for them to live until the Freedom of Establishment Act was granted in 1866. In Tegerfelden winegrowing is a passion. The village with its calciferous soil is one of the best locations for a vineyard in the Canton Aargau. Despite mechanical assistance, the people working on the vineyards’ slopes continue to do much manual labour. The local grape varieties include Blauburger, which is ideal for calciferous soil, Riesling-Silvaner and Garanoir. The latter is a new variety that was crafted in 1970, a cross between the red Gamay and the white Reichensteiner.

Now you pass Wizacherhof and Waldhof to get to the Zurzacherberg at 476 m. Make sure you put on the brakes in time during the descent or you’ll miss the animal park. Admission is free and the park is intended to provide a haven of peace and relaxation to the visitors. The lovely town of Zurzach is located on the Rhine. It is an important thermal spa resort. The temperature of the Glauber salt water is 39.5⁰ C. In Roman times, the town was an important river crossing. And finally, there is “Papa Moll Land”. You’ll find the famous protagonist from the successful Swiss children’s comic book just about anywhere in the town of Zurzach.