Castle ruins round in the Upper Danube valley

After arriving at Hausen im Tal train station (599 m), we first enjoy the brochure view of Werenwag Castle. Then we follow the Donau-Zollernalb route towards Hausen im Tal to the northern Danube bridge. A narrow staircase leads down to a meadow path into the Danube floodplains, along the campsite to the entrance of Hausen im Tal (Danube). Continuing past the Steinhaus inn, we take the Hausen loop 3 (yellow circle ring) towards the "Watchtower, Schloss Hausen ruins" to the Schmiedbach fountain, a karst spring; then a staircase descends right to Tobelstraße. If the direct climb to Schloss Hausen is too steep, take the right via the Schlosssteige. Crossing the suspension bridge, we reach the remains of Schloss Hausen's ruins, which tower over the town at 792 m above sea level on a steep rock spur. We follow the Swabian Alb South Rim Trail (main hiking trail HW2) or the parallel path to the watchtower. It served as an observation tower and later as a powder tower. From the tower ruins with a bench, there is a nice view down to Hausen im Tal. Below is the pointed Stuhlfels with a summit cross. Here, alpine climbers from the German Alpine Club practice, which has its house nearby. Along the ridge, the HW2 runs past the upper entrance to Reiftal. After 600 m a path branches right to the Neidingen Heath Castle, where the HW2 turns left in a 90-degree curve. After the fork to the Naturfreundehaus near the Steighöfe, the Mühlefelsen offers a nice view of Neidingen, Hausen, and Werenwag Castle.

Along the ridge, the Stetten nature trail informs about the protected flora and fauna on the rocky heads and scree slopes of the Danube valley and explains why the chamois that immigrated here are not welcome guests. At the rest area by the Stetten shelter, we can take a snack break to then enjoy impressive panoramic and deep views from the Schaufelsen. This viewpoint lives up to its name. The 120 m high vertical rock face is also the highest out-of-the-Alps rock in Germany, attracting many climbers. The Schauenburg once stood here, of which only a few remains exist. The castle was destroyed by the Counts of Sigmaringen in 1430. Then, switchbacks lead down through the forest to the "Schaufelsen ascent (655 m)" and back up along the edge of the slope with views of the opposite Lenzen rocks to the Falkenstein ruins with a barbecue area (736 m).

After the visit, we return 300 m to the saddle to descend into the Danube valley to the Neumühle following the red diamond. A narrow and partly rocky path leads down past the climbing rocks of the Falken walls to the railway tracks and directly along them on an overgrown path to the railway crossing. Along the road, we reach the Neumühle (587 m) via the Danube bridge. It was built in 1717 with demolition material from the half-ruined Oberfalkenstein castle. From a rock jutting out into the valley, we look at the remains of the Unterfalkenstein castle ruins.

Unfortunately, the once popular Neumühle restaurant has been open only for hotel guests since May 2019. Without any opportunity to stop for food, the route continues marked "red fork" towards the Lenzen rocks, which we reach after a climb through the forest (800 m). From the Linzenberg ruins, colloquially also called Lenzenburg, hardly any remains are visible. Its site can only be guessed. However, it offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Danube loop with Neidingen, the opposite Schaufelsen, and the Ober- and Unterfalkenstein ruins. Then the hiking trail leads away from the ridge and through the forest for a long time to the next viewpoint, the Schlossfelsen. It offers a splendid view of Hausen im Tal and the opposite Hausen ruins. To the west, daredevils can climb the Wagenburg ruins. However, access to the few wall remains of the core castle is made difficult by two ditches! According to legend, a cruel maiden is said to haunt here.

On the way to the St. Anna rock, a nice barbecue area has been created. From there, a path leads to another viewpoint. The Anna rock finally offers a deep view of Hausen im Tal with the Inn at the Mini Golf, which we reach after a steep descent of over 200 m shortly before the destination. Another food stop is possible directly at the train station.