GeoWanderweg

The starting point of the hike is at the village entrance of Balingen-Zillhausen, at the cemetery parking lot. Here is also an information board showing the entire route. A total of ten information boards explain in more detail the respective geological special features along the route, which often runs along natural paths and idyllic bridges. From the starting point, you quickly reach the highlight of the route, the impressive Zillhausen Waterfall. A steel staircase with 115 steps enables a safe descent to the creek bed.

Those tired from the impressions or the 115 steps are welcomed at the top again by a seating area for the first rest break. Past a former mill, a second, smaller waterfall, and a biotope, you reach the so-called "Galgenweg". The information board there provides information about severe landslides in the past. After experiencing how and where the "Bezighofenbach" springs and admiring the impressive "Rottanne", which is said to have stood here for over 200 years, the nature reserve "Irrenberg" awaits the hiker as another special feature. Here the annual "Aktion Irrenberg" takes place. The slopes are mown once a year with special slope mowers. The grass or hay is painstakingly wrapped with foil and manually transported onto waiting trailers below.

At the next information board, there is a magnificent panoramic view down into the Albvorland. Bisingen, Hechingen, and Hohenzollern Castle are clearly visible. On the "middle slope path", the hike leads through beautiful nature reserve meadows and idyllic beech forests past a wild bee hotel back towards the starting point. Orientation on the entire path is easy, simply always follow the ammonite symbol. Maps are not necessary. Those who find the entire round too long can also conveniently shorten after station 6 (about three hours for the shorter round).