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View from the Ödenturm Observation DeckPhoto: Geislingen an der Steige, CC BY-ND, Stadt Geislingen an der Steige
Geislingen an der Steige—the City of Five Valleys
Geislingen is nestled in a beautiful landscape, surrounded by the hills of the Swabian Alb. The Helfenstein Castle ruins and the Ödenturm tower are popular hiking destinations and offer magnificent views. The historic old town, with its half-timbered houses and picturesque nooks, invites you to explore and linger.
Anyone who wants to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and the charms of the “five valleys” should take the time for one—or more—hikes around the town: Magnificent viewpoints such as the Ostlandkreuz, the Tegelberg, or the Himmelsfelsen invite you to catch your breath—and perhaps also to reflect on the beauty that creation has bestowed upon us.
Helfenstein Castle dates back to the 11th century and served to monitor and control traffic from the Filstal valley to the Alb plateau. The castle was used by the Counts of Helfenstein, who, at the height of their power, owned a large territory between Geislingen, Heidenheim, Blaubeuren, and Wiesensteig. The Ödenturm was built in the immediate vicinity of the castle on an artificially created plateau. The exact date of its construction is unknown. Even after the castle was abandoned and demolished, the tower continued to serve as a watchtower for Geislingen. The isolated tower burned down several times after being struck by lightning. Today, it is open to visitors.
City of Geislingen an der Steige – iPunkt in the Old Customs House
Hauptstrasse 24 | 73312 Geislingen an der Steige
07331 24 279 | infopunkt@geislingen.de | www.geislingen.de
Author’s recommendation
- A hike to the quaint castle tavern at the Helfenstein castle ruins is well worth the visit. From April through October, it’s open on Sundays and holidays. When the weather is nice, it’s also open on Saturdays—a raised flag will signal its opening from a distance.
- You can hunt for bargains year-round at the Geislingen Outlet Center, located near the WMF Fischhalle.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Country inn HelfensteinBrewery to the Emperor
Ristorante Enoteca Antica Roma
Beer garden in Geislingen town park
Café Unikat
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 established 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 early 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 4.4-kilometer loop takes you past the popular landmarks of Geislingen an der Steige: the Helfenstein Castle Ruins and the Ödenturm.
The tour starts at the Geislingen train station. After crossing the tracks, we turn right and walk along the old Weilersteige trail through the forest uphill to the Helfenstein Castle ruins. From here, you can enjoy a fabulous view of the “City of Five Valleys.” On Sundays and holidays from April through October, as well as on Saturdays when the weather is nice, the castle tavern in the ruins is open. The route continues along the Albtrauf escarpment, past the Geislingen hamlet of Weiler to the Ödenturm, which offers yet more new vantage points over the vast valley. From there, we return to the old town via natural forest trails and striking rock formations. With its historic half-timbered houses, cozy pedestrian zone, and wide variety of dining options, the old town invites you to linger.
Lindele
Helfenstein castle ruins
Helfenstein hiking parking lot
Country inn Helfenstein
Öden Tower
Kohn's house
Protestant town church
Brewery to the Emperor
Old customs
iPunkt in the old customs office
Trout fountain
Old town hall
Meeting point South Moravia (South Moravian Landscape Museum)
Ristorante Enoteca Antica Roma
Museum in the old building
City Outlet Geislingen with WMF factory outlet
Parking lot Jahnhalle
Beer garden in Geislingen town park
Geislingen City Park
Café Unikat
Kornschreiberhaus
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the RE 5 or MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to the Geislingen/Steige train station. The tour begins right next to the station, just a few meters’ walk away.
You can find the district schedule at: www.vvs.de/fahrplan
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
By car
: You can reach Geislingen an der Steige via the B10 Stuttgart–Ulm and via the A8 Stuttgart–Munich, taking the Mühlhausen i. Täle or Merklingen exits.
Parking
Parking options at the starting/ending point, Geislingen (Steige) Train Station
Additional parking options
, Helfenstein parking lot
Coordinates
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