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  • Hiking in Ulm: Panorama with the banks of the Danube and Ulm Cathedral
    Hiking in Ulm: Panorama with the banks of the Danube and Ulm Cathedral Photo: Sina Ettmer, Adobe Stock

Hikes in Ulm

Baden-Wurttemberg,Germany

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The university city of Ulm is located on the southern edge of the Swabian Alb in Baden-Württemberg. But the birthplace of Albert Einstein is not only known for its love of science, but is also considered an ideal starting point for hiking. The Blau and Donau rivers, for example, are ideal for hiking. Explore Ulm and its surroundings on your hiking adventures!

4.3  (32 Ratings and reviews)

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Maps and trails

The 10 most beautiful hikes in Ulm

Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Hiking Ulm: The Kiesental trail
recommended route Difficulty moderate
4.9
11.4 km
3:10 h
189 m
186 m
The insider tip of Ulm hikers - by far the most beautiful hiking trail around Ulm and far beyond
Wilhelmsburg
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
The fortress trail in Ulm/Neu-Ulm
recommended route Difficulty moderate
5
12.7 km
4:00 h
107 m
106 m
There are people from Ulm who claim there are two significant buildings in the Danube city. One vertical and one horizontal. Clearly, the vertical one is the minster! The horizontal building is the federal fortress. We set out to explore it. 32 panels made of corten steel provide information about the historical significance of the site.
Fortress Upper Kuhberg
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Across the Hochsträß from Ulm to the stone circle near Ermingen
recommended route Difficulty easy
5
10.4 km
2:30 h
64 m
136 m
Over the Hochsträß to the stone circle (Sonnwendplatz) near Ermingen and back through the Butzental to Söflingen
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Ulm
recommended route Difficulty easy
No ratings (yet)
14.7 km
1:49 h
151 m
151 m
Ulm - approx. 11 km on foot and 2 sections by bus and tram
Ulmer Münster
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Ulm / Oberstdorf Section 1
recommended route Difficulty easy
5
15.8 km
3:52 h
13 m
91 m
After arriving by long-distance bus, the route begins on the outskirts of Ulm, along the Danube and Iller rivers up to just before Senden
Mini - Stonehenge
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Circular hiking route Turritellenplatte - Mini-Stonehenge - Alpine panorama - Allewind
recommended route Difficulty moderate
4
7.5 km
1:47 h
161 m
161 m
Beautiful circular hiking route with very nice views of the Ulm Minster and the Alps. There are many benches along the route for resting. Highlights are the Turritellenplatte and the Mini-Stonehenge.
Start of the route, Parkweg Hofäckerweg
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Böfinger Halde - Nersingen North
recommended route Difficulty easy
No ratings (yet)
12.3 km
3:01 h
1 m
97 m
This is a nice, easy hike lasting 3 hours, which is easily accessible by public transport in the Ulm region. It starts at the Böfinger tram stop on line 1 "Egertweg" and ends at the station in Nersingen, from where a train to Ulm or towards Munich runs 1-2 times an hour.
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
In Ulm and around Ulm
Premium content Difficulty easy
No ratings (yet)
15.9 km
4:00 h
169 m
166 m
Have you already been to the highest church tower in the world? If not, then it's high time. With divine blessing, the journey continues to Erbach.  
Cathedral view from the Ulm Heights route
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Ulm Heights Trail - Main Route South
recommended route Difficulty moderate
3.7
11.6 km
3:00 h
142 m
183 m
A special tip is the panoramic hiking route in Ulm. Enjoy a beautiful view of Ulm Minster and, in good visibility, even the 93 miles long Alpine range!
Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
Hiking Ulm: Around the Roter Berg
recommended route Difficulty moderate
No ratings (yet)
10.1 km
2:45 h
178 m
179 m
On the western outskirts of Ulm: From the Roter Berg residential area to the sequoias on Roter Berg
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Hikes with a historical background in Ulm

It is not only Ulm's city centre with its imposing Münster that has a long history in Ulm. The federal fortress, which is still preserved both in Ulm in Baden-Württemberg and in its Bavarian sister city Neu-Ulm, impresses visitors with its size. On the Fortress Trail in Ulm/Neu-Ulm you can follow in the footsteps of Europe's largest fortification.

You should allow about four hours for the 13-kilometre walk. Those interested in history have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the fortress on the 32 information boards along the way. Those who do not want to hike the whole route can also do it in different stages. Hikes around Neu-Ulm are particularly suitable for families with children, as there are various playgrounds and beer bars that invite you to stop for a break.

Hiking Trail · Swabian Alb
The fortress trail in Ulm/Neu-Ulm
recommended route Difficulty moderate
Distance 12.7 km
Duration 4:00 h
Ascent 107 m
Descent 106 m

There are people from Ulm who claim there are two significant buildings in the Danube city. One vertical and one horizontal. Clearly, the vertical ...

5
from Ulm/Neu-Ulm Touristik GmbH,   Community

Hiking in the Ulm region: day trip to Blautopf

Not directly in Ulm, but only twenty minutes by car from the university town lies the famous Blautopf Lake, the pearl of the Swabian Alb. Particularly beautiful hiking trails from the town of Blaubeuren will take you to this natural spectacle.

You start your easy hike from the old town and follow the path to the Brillenhöhle into the rock labyrinth. On the way, you will also come across the whimsical rock formation „Küssende Sau“ - a souvenir photo is a must here!

The highlight of your hike is the legendary Blautopf. As the name suggests, this karst spring is known for its intense blue colour. It is even said to have magical powers. On the Rückweg you can also visit the Museum of Prehistory „Urmu“ or refresh yourself in one of the small cafés in the charming old town of Blaubeuren. Hiking routes from Blaubeuren to the Blautopf are suitable for every level of fitness. This one is just under seven kilometres long and will take you a good two hours if you take it easy.

Another beautiful, moderately difficult hike that also passes the Blautopf is the Alb-Donau-Kreis Eiszeitpfad „Blaubeurer Felsenstieg“. Ice Age Trails“ are the name of the quality trails in the Swabian Alb that lead through the most impressive landscapes. The Felsenstieg circular trail leads around the town of Blaubeuren in about 3.5 hours.

Tip: If you are ever in Blaubeuren, you should not miss a visit to the Ice Age caves (e.g. Sirgensteinhöhle, Kleine Grotte)! The caves of the Swabian Alb are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are the site of some of the oldest musical instruments and carved works of art in the history of mankind.

Pilgrimage on the hiking trails around Ulm

The many pilgrim walks on the Way of St. James lead all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. But if you don't have the stomach for such a long hike and would like to get a taste of pilgrimage air, you can choose a shorter route for your hike.

The Upper Swabian Way of St James, for example, leads from Ulm to Constance on Lake Constance. The famous scallops serve as a signpost. The stage from Ulm to Oberdischingen marks the beginning of the 160-kilometre pilgrimage route. It is just under 21 kilometres long and you should allow about five and a half to six hours walking time.

The hiking trails of the first stage take you from the starting point, Ulm Cathedral with the highest church tower in the world, into the middle of the Danube valley. On the way, you will be greeted again and again by wonderful views over the fields, meadows and forests. If you are not in a hurry, the Renaissance castle on the Erbach Schlossberg or the baroque church of St. Martin are definitely worth a detour. You will then reach your destination for the day in the small community of Oberdischingen.

More excursion tips and sights for visitors to Ulm:

  • Ulmmer Münster: the tallest church tower in the world!
  • Art trail of Ulm University with more than 60 works of art
  • Strolling through the fishermen's quarter in the old town
  • Hiking to the mammoth trees on the Rote Berg
  • Visit the zoo in Ulm with the Danube Aquarium

Reviews

  • April 06, 2026
    Matthias
    April 06, 2026
    Sehr schöne Tour. 4 Sterne da manche Wege nicht existieren.
    ...Show more
    Written April 06, 2026
  • August 17, 2025
    Joachim Völk
    August 17, 2025
    Sehr schöner Höhenweg im Norden von Ulm. Sehr gute Anbindung an die Öffis. Die Ausschilderung lässt leider zu wünschen übrig. Der letzte Teil in Böfingen führt durch ein Wohngebiet. Am besten in der Pizzeria Panorama Hotel einkehren und dann noch bis zur Haltestelle Haslacherweg und mit der Linie 4 zurück in die Staft.
    ...Show more
    Photo: Joachim Völk, Community
    Photo: Joachim Völk, Community
    Photo: Joachim Völk, Community
    Written August 17, 2025
  • January 29, 2023
    Karin Hezler
    January 29, 2023
    Wunderschöne, idyllische Tour, welche man ohne den GPX-Track nicht laufen könnte, sofern man nicht eine sehr gute Ortskenntnis hat. Durchaus auch anspruchsvoll aufgrund der Höhenmeter, im Winter aufgrund umgestürzter Bäume und zerfahrenen Wegen. Bei der Wanderung ist man bewusst abseits der breiten Wege, was uns sehr gut gefallen hat.
    ...Show more
    Written January 29, 2023
  • September 16, 2022
    Dominik Seemann 
    Schöne Route mit der richtigen Mischung aus Aussicht, Kultur und Waldluft.
    ...Show more
    Written September 16, 2022
  • July 17, 2022
    thomas goetze
    July 16, 2022
    Eine wirklich schöne und abwechslungsreiche Tour auf Wegen, die man teilweise ohne den GPX-Track wohl nie gesehen hätte. Durch die umgestürzten Bäume ein Hauch von Wildnis :-)
    ...Show more
    Written July 17, 2022
  • July 10, 2022
    LMilla Wi
    July 10, 2022
    Abwechslungsreiche, schöne Wanderung. Allerdings führt der Weg, gegen den Uhrzeigersinn begangen, hinter dem Aussichtspunkt Zuckerhut knapp einen Kilometer durch eine Wildschutzzone, und ab Höhe des Parkplatzes Nähe TSV Herrlingen über einen aufgelassenen Pfad, der stellenweise von umgestürzten Bäumen blockiert ist. Beide Bereiche lassen sich aber auf anderen Wegen umgehen.
    ...Show more
    Written July 10, 2022
  • May 07, 2022
    Andreas Fleckenstein
    Sehr schöne Runde!
    ...Show more
    Written May 07, 2022
  • September 19, 2021
    Moritz Walther
    Schöne Runde, am Ende etwas viel Straße, kann man aber mit einem Umweg vermeiden
    ...Show more
    Photo: Moritz Walther, Community
    Photo: Moritz Walther, Community
    Photo: Moritz Walther, Community
    Photo: Moritz Walther, Community
    Written September 19, 2021
  • May 08, 2021
    Maike Lichtblau
    Sehr schöne abwechslungsreiche Runde. Danke für den Tipp.
    ...Show more
    Written May 08, 2021
  • April 09, 2021
    Thilo Binder 
    April 09, 2021
    Sehr interessante Runde. Landschaftlich nicht immer toll aber durchaus lohnenswert für alle die an Geschichte interessiert sind.
    ...Show more
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Photo: Thilo Binder, Community
    Written April 09, 2021
  • April 04, 2020
    Hartmut Dieterich
    April 04, 2020
    Die Wegbeschilderung ist tatsächlich nicht immer klar, aber mein Weg heute führte durch sehr viel Grün - und wenig Bebauung. Aber das kann auch daran liegen, dass ich die letzten 2 km vom offiziellen Weg abkam und daher möglicherweise den Teil durch die Wohngebieten "verpasst" habe. Hinweis zum Botanischen Garten: Vermutlich aufgrund von Corona, ist der Durchgang aktuell gesperrt. Das sollte man bei seiner Planung, insbesondere der Nordroute, bedenken.
    ...Show more
    Written April 04, 2020
    Hiking Trail
    Ulmer Höhenweg
  • December 15, 2019
    Nicolas Marschall 
    Ist es möglich, im Stadtgebiet Ulm ‚richtig‘ zu wandern? Der Ulmer Höhenweg zeigt: durchaus, und das mit abwechslungsreichen, mitunter spektakulären Abschnitten entlang toller Ausblicke und Teilen der Bundesfestung. Wenn sich der Weg steigern soll, sollte man in Böfingen anfangen. Hat man diesen Teil erst zum Schluss, zieht er sich etwas, während man bereits müde ist.
    ...Show more
    Ulmer Höhenweg bei Schnee
    Photo: Nicolas Marschall, CC BY, Community
    View from the Ulmer Höhenweg on the Eselsberg
    Photo: Nicolas Marschall, CC BY, Community
    Written December 15, 2019
    Hiking Trail
    Ulmer Höhenweg

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