DonauWellen: Donauversinkung

0.0 km Immendingen, "Donauversinkung Parking Lot"

The hiking fun doesn't take long to start. A narrow path begins directly at the "tent and picnic site Donauversinkung" along the Danube. The path runs on the outer curve of the young river, which still carries water here. In hot summers, when hiking along the water, you can almost watch the water disappear into the swallow holes, underground cavities. The water steadily decreases before the riverbed dries up completely on average around 200 days a year.

1.8 km Donauversinkung

At the Donauversinkung, you can cross the streambed depending on the water level either on foot or on large blocks. Information boards provide information about the geological phenomenon and the vastly differing water levels of the Danube throughout the year. The hike does not cross the Danube but follows the green signs in the forest below the remote viaduct of the Gäubahn uphill. Soon it passes over the Schwarzwaldbahn line at the portal of the Möhringen Tunnel and, zigzagging, goes to the former Hattingen station. Along the way, the first info board explains the frequent sinkholes here.

4.3 km Hattingen Station

After crossing the road from Hattingen to Immendingen, the path squeezes between a deer enclosure, bushes, and road, then turns right at the end of the hedge into Kirchtal. Through the dry valley it initially goes through meadows, then in the forest on a wide, comfortable gravel path. After about 800 meters, do not miss the left turn onto a forest trail that leads uphill. At the "Wildhag" rest area with a snack island at the edge of the forest, a lovely view unfolds, on clear days up to Säntis. Go right back into the forest and after a few meters turn onto the narrow path to the nearby Michelsloch.

6.2 km Michelsloch Sinkhole

The path now circles a forest clearing used as a field to another rest area with information about the local orchid species found here. Attentive hikers can see some specimens on the roadside in early summer. The inconspicuous bird's-nest orchid, finger-root, and pale wood-violet are common. The well-marked premium hiking trail "Donauversinkung" passes the Hegaublick viewpoint, with a view to Hohenhewen, and leads as a forest path down to the Dachsmühle on L 225. Caution: on wet days, this path is more like a bobsleigh run than a hiking trail. After crossing the road, the path goes uphill again along the forest edge on a forest trail, shortly before a beautiful barbecue and rest area turn left along the meadow, then uphill again on the forest path to the next forest road. Turn left, at the intersection (with an overgrown tree nature trail) continue straight uphill to the "crater rim" of Höwenegg, with rest area.

8.9 km Höwenegg

The further path leads along the edge of the former quarry with a beautiful view of the steep walls and the green-blue shimmering lake, still uphill a bit. At the highest point, turn right, pass through a gate-like narrowing, and continue walking in a small valley. Here you can clearly see the recent past of Höwenegg as a quarry. Relics of the former mining are visible everywhere. Shortly afterward, you pass the Gundelhof, make another loop in the forest, and cross the country road again to the Höwenegg parking lot.

10.2 km "Höwenegg Parking Lot"

At the parking lot, go left along the forest edge, the industrial area at the Daimler Test and Technology Center is bypassed widely before a steep descent leads back to the starting point in the Danube valley.

13.0 km Immendingen, "Donauversinkung Parking Lot"