Albsteig (HW1) - quality hiking trail over the Swabian Alb - entire route

Over root and stone runs the fifth stage of the Albsteig. At numerous viewpoints, you can let your gaze wander over the landscape. Two rather steep climbs at the beginning and on the Rosenstein (for those who want even more, an additional one to the "Aalbaumle" lookout tower is tempting) make this route an experience for hiking enthusiasts. You will overcome a little more than 500 meters of elevation. On the narrow paths, surefootedness is sometimes required.

Stage 1 – From Donauwörth to Harburg

The first stage of the Albsteig runs comfortably. You will overcome about 230 meters of elevation. First, you hike along the Wörnitz river through the Ried to Wörnitzstein. The highlight of the stage comes at the very end: Harburg – one of the best preserved and largest Hohenstaufen castles north of the Alps. If you started early and still have fit legs, you can also take on the second stage directly.

Detailed information and route description of stage 1

Stage 2 – From Harburg to Mönchsdeggingen

On the shortest Albsteig stage, the enjoyment of nature takes center stage. You hike on field, forest, and meadow paths along the Bockberg nature reserve. The path finally leads through the forest to Mönchsdeggingen. A visit to the impressive monastery and church is worthwhile here.

Detailed information and route description of stage 2

Stage 3 – From Mönchsdeggingen to Bopfingen

Forest paths and narrow trails alternate on the third stage of the Albsteig over about 27 km. You pass through a wildlife enclosure, and with some luck, you can spot deer. The stage destination is Bopfingen, an old imperial city with a beautiful center and a widely visible landmark, the witness mountain Ipf.

Detailed information and route description of stage 3

Stage 4 – From Bopfingen to Aalen-Unterkochen

On the stage between Bopfingen and Aalen-Unterkochen, you pass two hydrological highlights: the Eger spring and the Kocher spring. The ascent from Bopfingen takes about 30 minutes. Once at the top, a small detour to the Schenkenstein ruins (about 300 m) is worthwhile. Further along, you pass the idyllic Eger spring. The beautiful view at Tierstein then already rewards the effort. On wider paths and trails, it continues further into the forest. Over the town of Hülen, you reach a gravel path from which you can nicely see Kapfenburg Castle. Further on, the path goes through the forest and finally downhill towards the Kocher spring.

Detailed information and route description of stage 4

Stage 5 – From Aalen-Unterkochen to Heubach

Over root and stone runs the fifth stage of the Albsteig. At numerous viewpoints, you can let your gaze wander over the landscape. Two rather steep climbs at the beginning and on the Rosenstein make this route an experience for hiking enthusiasts. You will overcome a little more than 500 meters of elevation. On the narrow paths, surefootedness is sometimes required.

Detailed information and route description of stage 5

Stage 6 – From Heubach to Kuchalb (Donzdorf)

On the stage from Heubach to Kuchalb, we first tackle the Scheuelberg; even here, beautiful viewpoints reward the ascent. Weißenstein with the church and the impressive castle marks about the middle of the route. Finally, you take the Albtrauf under your hiking boots, passing numerous viewpoints: The Messelstein is certainly the most impressive of them.

Detailed information and route description of stage 6

Stage 7 – From Kuchalb (Donzdorf) to Boßler (Gruibingen)

On this varied hiking route, you traverse the valleys and heights of the Albtrauf – numerous beautiful views are guaranteed! From Fuchseck and Rötelstein, you have an impressive panoramic view. However, no view without some sharp ascents and descents. You must overcome nearly 900 meters of elevation. The Boßler as a stage destination rewards with a view of the Three Emperor Mountains.

Detailed information and route description of stage 7

Stage 8 – From Boßler (Gruibingen) to Burg Teck

On this varied hiking tour, the Albsteig leads to the Reußenstein ruins, the Randecker Maar, the Auchtert elevation, and the Rauber ruin. The highlights of this section are surely the views from Breitenstein and from the Yellow Rock. Burg Teck finally marks the stage destination.

Detailed information and route description of stage 8

Stage 9 – From Burg Teck to Bad Urach

From Burg Teck, it initially goes downhill towards Owen (pronounced: Auen). The first and only ascent of this stage follows – up to the Bassgeige. Then one highlight follows another: viewpoints with impressive panoramic views are the introduction. The massive Hohenneuffen castle ruins with the spectacular view, for which a short detour is worthwhile, is the highlight. Finally, the viewpoint "Buckleter Kapf" and the Höllenlöcher offer more sights before descending to Bad Urach. The spa town with a thermal bath offers a beautiful old town with many half-timbered houses and numerous places to eat and stay overnight.

Detailed information and route description of stage 9

Stage 10 – From Bad Urach to Honau

From the spa town Bad Urach, you go up to the Hohenurach ruin and further to an impressive waterfall. Past two stud farms and a lookout tower, you finally reach Stahleck near Lichtenstein via the Übersberg. Once the ascents at the beginning of the stage are mastered, the day turns into a true enjoyment hike offering much variety.

Detailed information and route description of stage 10

Stage 11 - From Honau to Willmandingen

Along the Albtrauf, you encounter two special highlights on this stage: firstly, Lichtenstein Castle on a steep rock above the Echaz valley, built in 1837-42 after the novel "Lichtenstein" by Wilhelm Hauff. Secondly, the Nebelhöhle. The 400-meter-long dripstone cave offers a refreshing sight especially on hot summer days. Don't forget a sweater! The last ascent of the day to Bolberg is quite demanding. In the Sonnenbühl district of Willmandingen, you can leave the Albsteig to stay overnight.

Detailed information and route description of stage 11

Stage 12 - From Willmandingen to Jungingen

Above the Riedernberg, you pass Talheim and climb to the Dreifürstenstein. In past times, three princes' territories met here: Württemberg, Hohenzollern, and Fürstenberg. The view from the Dreifürstenstein stretches from Raichberg with the high red-white radio tower over Hohenzollern Castle on the witness mountain to the 1005-meter-high Plettenberg. Behind it lie the heights of the Black Forest and the Vosges. The path continues along the Albtrauf before a steep descent leads you down to Jungingen.

Detailed information and route description of stage 12

Stage 13 - From Jungingen to Burgfelden

This stage passes some beautiful viewpoints. These include Hohe Berg (854m), Kohlwinkel and Backofenfelsen, Zoller Blick, Blasenberg (886m), and Heiligenkopf (893m), Irrenbergblick, and Böllat (921 m). Special highlights of this hike are the Hanging Rock, Zeller Horn, and Raichberg (956m) with the "Nägelehaus" hiking lodge. The Hanging Rock (923m) is not only a viewpoint but a large limestone block from the Upper Jurassic, which has already dangerously separated far from the Albtrauf. Along the edge, you then hike towards Böllat and then the last stretch on an asphalt path down to Burgfelden.

Detailed information and route description of stage 13

Stage 14 - From Burgfelden to Ratshausen

From Burgfelden, you first hike downhill through the Albstadt district of Laufen. In switchbacks, you now ascend through the Hülenbuchwiesen nature reserve to the Hörnle viewpoint (956 m). Then it continues on a meadow path and along the Albtrauf towards Lochen, where you can take an additional detour up to Lochenstein. The further views from the Split Rock and the first "Albsteig thousand-meter peak", the Plettenberg, make the second half of the tour just as spectacular. After the Plettenberg follows the descent to the destination Ratshausen.

Detailed information and route description of stage 14

Stage 15 - From Ratshausen to Risiberg (Dürbheim)

Stage 15 offers another big tour with lots of elevation. After about 8 km, you reach the highest mountain of the Swabian Alb, the Lemberg (1015 m). The Albsteig then leads from Gosheim to the Kehlen viewpoint (1001 m), then past the Gosheim chapel and from there to Klippeneck with its airfield. Then you continue hiking to Dreifaltigkeitsberg, where a detour to the Trinity Church is recommended. Through fields and meadows, it continues to the hamlet of Risiberg, where the Landgasthof Waldeck lies directly on the path and is ideal as an overnight accommodation option.

Detailed information and route description of stage 15

Stage 16 - From Risiberg (Dürbheim) to Tuttlingen

The last and second shortest stage is coming up. No more big ascents have to be overcome. Right at the beginning, you cross the Grasmutter nature reserve before following the edge on forest and meadow paths. Further on, you pass the "Bettelmannskeller" cave before going down through the Tuttlingen city forest to Tuttlingen. There, you can reflect on the Albsteig adventure in a café by the Danube.

Detailed information and route description of stage 16