Town of Wäschenbeuren—Idyllically situated between the Filstal and Remstal valleys, on the eastern edge of the Schurwald Forest, in the heart of the Staufer region.
The most significant landmark, the Wäscherschloss, is located in the immediate vicinity of the Hohenstaufen, where the Staufers’ former ancestral castle once stood. While only the foundation walls of the castle remain visible there today, the “Wäscherschlössle”—as it is affectionately called—has survived the Middle Ages in good condition and is one of the best-preserved Staufer castle complexes. According to legend, the Wäscherschloss was originally the Staufers’ court laundry. This is said to be the origin of the name “Wäscherschloss.” However, this origin is unlikely given the distance to the nearest flowing body of water, the Beutenbach. Nor is there any confirmation of the legend that the legendary Staufer Emperor Frederick Barbarossa fell in love with a beautiful laundress and bequeathed the castle to her. Nevertheless, the laundress with her washboard is still depicted in the town’s coat of arms today.
Municipality of Wäschenbeuren
Manfred-Wörner-Platz 1 | 73116 Wäschenbeuren
07172 926 55-0 |info@waeschenbeuren.de|www.waeschenbeuren.de
Author’s recommendation
Castle: A 13th-century castle with hexagonal walls, a 15th-century half-timbered house, and guided tours.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Gasthof WäscherschlossGasthof Wäscherschloss
Safety information
When it's wet, some trails can be slippery and dangerous. Watch your step and use hiking poles for stability if necessary.
Tips and suggestions
Respectful Coexistence in the Göppingen District.
Code of Conduct:
- Respect trail closures and the quiet zones designated in the recreational trail plan.
- Leave no trace—such as trash or animal waste—and treat the trails with care.
- Be proactive and considerate. Adapt your behavior to the situation at hand. Safety comes first.
- Respect other users of the woods and open fields.
- Be considerate of animals and plants.
- Plan ahead and make the most of daylight. Try to avoid the morning and evening twilight hours.
- Observe the ban on entering agricultural land during the growing season.
- Stay on marked trails and avoid forest edges; this helps wildlife become more accustomed to people.
For more information, visit ruecksicht-macht-wege-breiter.de
Roadbook
The hike begins at the shaded hiking parking lot at Wäscherschloss Castle. From here, we walk downhill into the enchanting Beutental valley. Passing the historic Waldcafé in the Beutental, the Beutenmühle mill, and the Beutenhof farm, we continue toward Schnellhöfle, a hidden hamlet with picturesque half-timbered houses. Here, just before the Beutental Valley merges into the Remstal Valley, the trail turns left and then heads uphill through the forest to the plateau between Wäschenbeuren and Lorch. Running alongside the 27-hole golf course of the Hetzenhof Golf Club—beautifully nestled in the landscape—the trail continues on to Oberkirneck. The trail then leads south through the golf course, past Lindenbronn, and back to Wäscherschloss. Thanks to its location, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Hohenstaufen from here.
Bag valley
Beutenmühle Holiday Apartments
Golf Club Hetzenhof
Gasthof Wäscherschloss
Wäscherschloss Castle
Wave bench at the Wäscherschloss
26th Staufer Stele
Gasthof Wäscherschloss
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the RE 5 or MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to the Göppingen train station. From there, bus lines X93, 931, and 932 run to Wäschenbeuren, stopping at the "Marktplatz" stop. Your tour begins about a 30-minute walk from the bus stop.You can find the district bus schedule at: www.vvs.de/fahrplan
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Wäschenbeuren is easily accessible via the B 297. Coming from Göppingen, follow the B 297 toward Lorch. Coming from the B 29, turn onto the B 297 toward Göppingen at Lorch and continue to Wäschenbeuren.Parking
Wäscherschloss Hiking Parking LotCoordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. A backpack with water, snacks, and a first-aid kit is recommended.
Human-created
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

User Questions