Two passionate cyclists from Maulbronn-Zaisersweiher are embarking on a special journey: On Monday, June 1, 2026, Wolfgang Frommer and Jürgen Wörsinger start their tour along the Cisterscapes long-distance hiking trail at Maulbronn Monastery.

Wolfgang Frommer had the idea for this unusual project. “We had wanted to go on a longer bike tour again for a while,” say the two, who are no beginners on their bikes. They have already covered longer distances together in the past – the best conditions for this ambitious project. Over the past few months, they have therefore not only planned intensively, but also trained diligently.

The tour is a tough one: the route covers around 1,790 kilometers across Germany, following in the footsteps of the Cistercians. Beforehand, the route had to be examined very closely – every single kilometer was carefully checked to ensure that the route was actually suitable for cycling.

The official starting signal will be given at the Maulbronn monastery courtyard. From there, the two cyclists will set off in the direction of Altenberg – not only to cover distance, but also to discover people, places and stories along the way.

This project is something very special for Cisterscapes and has been received with great enthusiasm within the network. The two men are the first to explore the route within Germany in this way by bike. They will be “experiencing” the Cisterscapes network in the truest sense of the word – connecting the individual sites kilometer by kilometer and making visible what Cisterscapes is all about: a living, cross-border network with a shared history and cultural landscapes shaped by the Cistercians.

It is precisely this connection of cultural landscapes that is a central idea of Cisterscapes. The long-distance trail illustrates what the Cistercians once created: a tightly woven network of monasteries, landscapes and exchanges across great distances. The journey of the two cyclists picks up on this idea and makes it impressively visible today.

Monday marks the start of not only a sporting challenge, but also a journey through history, culture and landscape – and at the same time a project that brings Cisterscapes to life in a special way. One thing is already clear: the two cyclists will have plenty to talk about on their return, with many impressions in their luggage.

Photo: Jürgen Wörsinger (left) and Wolfgang Frommer (right) are ready for the start
Photographer: City of Maulbronn, Text: Frauke Schütz, City of Maulbronn