Core tower

The Kernenturm was built in 1896 by the Stuttgart branch of the Swabian Albverein. The local group still looks after the tower today. It is the oldest observation tower of the Swabian Albverein. Its construction was financed by donations.

At 513 m, the Kernenturm and the Oberberken water tower both claim to be the highest point in the Schurwald.

The tower was built in sandstone masonry in a historicizing style. In 1930, a hut was added for shelter. Information boards on the top of the tower explain the view. There is a kiosk at the foot of the tower, which is open on nice days, and a barbecue area.

From no other point - apart from the Stuttgart television tower - can you enjoy such a fascinating panoramic view over almost the entire Württemberg lowlands: To the west, the Stuttgart basin with the "Monte Scherbellino" on the Birkenkopf, to the northwest Stromberg and Heuchelberg, in front of it the low stump of the Asperges, to the north the Neckar basin with the chimneys and plumes of the Münster, Marbach, Gemmrigheim and Heilbronn coal-fired power plants, as well as the clouds of steam from the cooling towers of the Neckarwestheim nuclear power plant.

The Keuperwald mountain range can also be seen to the north: First the Berglen with the Buocher Höhe and its western nose, the Korber Kopf, and in the further distance the Löwensteiner mountains with Juxkopf and Wunnenstein. To the north-east, the Hagberg can be seen in the Welzheim forest and behind it - already in the Ellwangen mountains - the ridge-like Büchelberg ridge. To the east, the Schurwald extends to the foot of the Hohenstaufen, and from east to southwest the Albtrauf stretches from the Braunenberg near Aalen to the Plettenberg near Balingen; the Teck, Hohenneuffen, Achalm and Hohenzollern are prominent.

The tower is not locked and can be climbed at any time. There is a ticket office in the entrance area for a fee of 1 euro for non-members.

Opening times

The tower is always open.

Price:

Adult non-members are asked to pay 1 euro for climbing the tower.