Discover Reichenbach an der Fils

Reichenbach an der Fils combines forests, outdoor activities and industrial history. Much of the municipality’s area is wooded; the municipal forest offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, cycling and walking. The Schurwald is also a recreational area for visitors to Reichenbach. When choosing accommodation, it may help to consider in advance whether you plan to spend most of your time outdoors or also set aside time for swimming and industrial history.

Forest, trails and recreation

In the Esslingen district, the Schurwald offers almost level high-altitude hiking trails with views towards the Swabian Jura, the Filder plain, the Drei-Kaiser-Berge, the Berglen hills and the Welzheimer Wald. If you enjoy getting around on foot, this gives you a specific landscape to consider when planning your trip. Reichenbach’s wooded areas also offer opportunities for various activities—from jogging and cycling to taking a walk.

The nature trail features a walk-in beaver lodge, a duck’s nest and balancing elements. Together, these offer different ways to explore and try things out. The renaturalized Lützelbach is a natural and recreational area for families, children and those seeking relaxation. Before visiting, it is advisable to check the current access status of the nature trail and the Lützelbach area.

Water and activity at the outdoor pool in the green

The outdoor pool in the green has a combined swimming and non-swimming pool with three 50-metre lanes and five 25-metre lanes. Water attractions include a wide waterslide and a mushroom-shaped fountain. The parent-and-child area has a stainless-steel pool for toddlers; the fountain area features water jets. The pool therefore offers different areas for swimming and play that you can take into account when planning an outing together.

There are also opportunities to be active and relax away from the pool: facilities include sunbathing lawns, table tennis, beach volleyball and a trampoline for children and teenagers. If you are planning a day at the pool, you can consider these activities alongside swimming. Together with the forest and nature attractions, they offer a different way to spend the day than an excursion focused primarily on industrial history.

Industrial history and the first documented mention

The Reichenbach steam engine was built in 1891 by G. Kuhn in Stuttgart-Berg. It was in operation at the Kantenwein factory until 1977, where soap powder, shoe polish, floor oils and cleaning products were manufactured. It is the last of more than a dozen machines once used in Reichenbach businesses.

After being restored, the steam engine was presented to the public in 1996. Inserting a coin sets it in motion—a technical detail that vividly demonstrates how it once operated. The first documented reference to Reichenbach dates from 1268. The town’s history thus brings together an early written mention and a tangible example of later industry.

Plan your journey and local transport

Reichenbach is on the Ulm–Stuttgart railway line; Filstal-Takt services run to Plochingen, Stuttgart and Göppingen. As timetables and transport services may change, it is worth checking connections for your travel date. Reichenbach has had station-based car sharing since 1996, with one vehicle at Bahnhofstraße 16. Check the latest vehicle and operating information before using the service. Rail connections and car sharing are two separate options to consider when planning your local transport.

The wider landscape: Esslingen

Six landscape areas shape the Esslingen district: the Schurwald, Schönbuch, Filder plain, Neckar Valley, foothills of the Swabian Jura and the Albtrauf escarpment. The district is also shaped by its traditional orchard landscape, which includes 1.5 million fruit trees. These regional landscapes add context to Reichenbach without conflating the wider areas with the town itself.

Tourist activities in the Esslingen district range from cycling, hiking and cross-country skiing to Roman and Celtic heritage, caves, nature trails, a biosphere reserve and a geopark. Attractions, local highlights and traditional festivals are spread across the district’s towns and municipalities. This broader context opens up additional themes for trip planning beyond the forests, outdoor pool and industrial history of Reichenbach.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Großbettlingen, Neckartenzlingen, Oberboihingen, Plochingen, Bissingen an der Teck, Neidlingen, Ohmden, Esslingen

For the main travel guide: Esslingen.