MTSZ
MTSZ térképportál
Turista Magazin
TuristaShop
Kéktúra
Gerecse50
A kéktúrázás napja
Donzdorf: Scenic, culturally diverse, and active in sports.
Donzdorf is located in the Lauter Valley, nestled in the rolling hills of the northeastern Swabian Alb. Dense forests, rugged cliffs, orchard meadows, and heathland characterize the landscape. Donzdorf is the economic, transportation, and cultural hub of the Lauter Valley. Its central location and wide range of recreational opportunities make the town an attractive destination for day trips and vacations. The heart of the town is the 16th-century Renaissance-style castle with its idyllic castle garden. Mature trees, rose and perennial beds, and numerous bronze sculptures invite visitors to linger. A seven-kilometer-long astronomical nature trail begins in the castle garden. The magnificent landscape around Donzdorf can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether hiking through fields and meadows, biking along the Albtrauf escarpment, playing a round of golf on the challenging 18-hole course below the Ramsberg, or even from a bird’s-eye view as a glider, hang glider, or paraglider pilot. Donzdorf is widely known as a carnival stronghold. The grand carnival parade on Carnival Sunday draws thousands of visitors to the town every year.
With a total length of over 26 km and a total elevation gain of 726 m, this loop offers a challenging hike around the Lauter Valley, leading partly along unspoiled and idyllic trails up to the plateau of the Swabian Alb, through extensive deciduous forests, past orchard meadows, heathlands, and picturesque reservoirs.
Donzdorf City Administration
Schloss 1-4 | 73072 Donzdorf
07162 9220 |stadt@donzdorf.de|www.donzdorf.de
Author’s recommendation
Pietà in Nenningen:
At the entrance to Nenningen stands the cemetery chapel, which houses the world-famous Pietà by sculptor Franz Ignaz Günther, dating from 1774.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Hotel BecherPoP-Up beer garden at Donzdorf Castle
Lindenhof
Forest tavern
Donzdorf flying hut
Country inn Heldenberg
Burgstallschenke - Wolfgang Gusetti
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 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 get used to people.
For more information, visit ruecksicht-macht-wege-breiter.de
Roadbook
The route begins in Donzdorf and heads south. Over a distance of about six kilometers, we climb the Messelberg, which is just under 750 meters high. Along the way, we pass the Simonsbach Reservoir, a natural paradise. It serves as a flood control reservoir, which is why it is only half full. Many animals, especially birds, thrive in the area around this picturesque lake and use it as their habitat.
After the Messelberg, the trail follows the striking Albtrauf escarpment for a stretch toward Lauterstein before descending to Nenningen. In Nenningen, we cross the Lauter Valley and hike back uphill along the Christental into the picturesque “Heldenberg” nature reserve. We pass along the western side of the Heldenberg itself, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area and the village of Winzingen at the foot of the mountain. The trail continues in that direction, taking us across the valley and over a small ridge to the rural village of Reichenbach unterm Rechberg. A short detour through a secluded stretch of forest leads us back to Donzdorf, the starting point of our tour.
St. Martinus parish church
I-Point in Donzdorf Castle
Donzdorf Castle
PoP-Up beer garden at Donzdorf Castle
Lindenhof
Forest tavern
Simonsbach reservoir
Chapel of St. Georg Unterweckerstell
Donzdorf flying hut
Flying group 1928 Donzdorf e.V.
Rötelstein
St. Michael's Chapel
Launch site for hang gliders and paragliders
Messelberg parking lot
Messelstein
St. Mary's Chapel with Pietà
Parking lot B466
Parking lot at Heldenberg
Country inn Heldenberg
Heldenberg
Country inn Zum Bürgerstüble
Ramsberg Castle
Golfclub Hohenstaufen e.V.
Donzdorf outdoor pool
Astronomy trail
Lion's bench on the Messelberg
Sheep farm Irene Reindel
3D archery course BSV Donzdorf
Burgstallschenke - Wolfgang Gusetti
Kuchalb/Messelberg Barbecue Area
Kolping Cross
Country inn Heldenberg's Jagdhüttle
Castle garden Donzdorf
Parking lot Steingarten
Parking lot at St. Maria Chapel
Our Lady's Grotto near Winzingen
Church of St. Sebastian and St. Rochus
Feuersee
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Take the MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to the Süßen train station. From the Süßen central bus station (ZOB), bus lines 970, 971, and 972 run to Donzdorf. Then go to the "Donzdorf, Stadthalle" bus stop.For the district schedule: www.vvs.de/fahrplan
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Take the B10 to the Süßen exit, then take the B466 toward Heidenheim until you reach Donzdorf.Parking
Parking is available at the "Steingarten" parking lot, located in downtown Donzdorf across from Hotel Becher.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