We’re off to the Freiamt region to see if it is really as beautiful as many people say. The region is situated in the southeast of the Canton Aargau and covers the area between Lindenberg and Heitersberg. In the Middle Ages, the term “Freiamt” referred to associations of free farmers that were under the control of a court. Consequently, not all farmers were free. If you are lucky enough to pedal through the softly rolling landscape on a sunny day, however, you are likely to feel just fine. In the lovely hamlets along the way featuring attractive wooden buildings, fruit and vegetables are offered right from the source. Agriculture and industry are not at odds here, as a display on the “Lorze Industrial Trail” points out. The trail leads to the Freiamt region via Lake Ägeri and Lake Zug. Most of the time, the Lorze river runs a few hundred meters east of the bike route and joins the Reuss near the Maschwander Allmend nature reserve. But first, you come across a huge farm at Chamau near Hünenberg. This is the Schluechthof Agricultural Education and Counselling Centre, responsible for the training of farmers in Zug. The goat in the yard doesn’t care. It happily munches on a wooden piece of a plant, unlike the wading bird: with its head lowered, the bird looks for something that moves. And then- lightning-fast - the long beak strikes.

The beautiful Hermetschwil monastery is situated directly on the Reuss. It was founded in the late 12th century. Today, nine nuns form a small a community and live here according to the rules of St. Benedict. Another good place to live is nearby Bremgarten. The old town is surrounded by the Reuss River on three sides. This view is a real eye catcher and a cultural monument of national importance. The Spittel Tower in Bremgarten Oberstadt is a well preserved tower of the town‘s fortification and a landmark. The route continues mostly flat and leisurely to Mellingen. Located on the left bank of the Reuss, Mellingen turns out to be a real gem with a medieval city centre.

Windisch and Brugg are also medieval towns and beautiful on top of it. Always close to the Reuss, although the river is not always visible, you reach Vindonissa (now Windisch), once a Roman legionary camp. In the middle of the Roman ruins is Königsfelden , a double monastery founded by the Habsburgs. Today it is the most valuable cultural monument in the Canton Aargau. The church was built in the 14th century and features eleven amazing stained glass choir windows. A psychiatric hospital has been housed in the building since 1868. Brugg is the Swiss German term for bridge. The town is located at the confluence of Aare, Reuss and Limmat. The Black Tower from the 11th century is a landmark. Very close by, near Römerturm (Roman tower), is the house where educationalist Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi died in 1827. Und last but not least: a fine ristorante right across from it where you can enjoy a good meal after the long bike ride.