HIKING IN THE SWABIAN ALB BIOSPHERE REGION
Our best tour tips from Speidel's Braumanufaktur
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb is one of Germany's most beautiful hiking regions – with rugged cliffs, dense forests, sunny meadows, and spectacular views. Varied hikes for nature lovers, families, active travelers, and those seeking peace and quiet start directly from Speidel's Brewery in Hohenstein.
Whether you're looking for a circular hike, a one-way tour, or an Albtrauf adventure – here you'll find our personally tried-and-tested hiking tips in the biosphere reserve.
1. Hochgehberge – Hochgehsprudelt (Gomadingen)
A truly premium trail in the biosphere reserve – scenic, fragrant, and pristine. The "Hochgehsprudelt" (High Spruce) tour leads through juniper heaths, sparse forests, and over scenic ridges. Its name comes from the legendary "Brünnele": an unexpected spring near the highest point in Gomadingen, from which water bubbles directly from the rock.
The highlight is the Sternberg Tower: Those who climb the 32 meters will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the central Swabian Alb – and, if visibility is good, even the Alps. This tour appeals to all the senses – a pleasure, especially in dry weather.
Length: approx. 9.3 km
Claim: light to medium
Highlights: Sternberg Tower, Brünnele, juniper heaths, distant view
Tip: Ideal for spring & autumn – because of flowering and clear visibility
2. Waterfall Trail Bad Urach – Two waterfalls & 1000 contrasts
The Waterfall Trail is one of the most spectacular circular hiking trails in the Swabian Alb – and was named Germany's most beautiful hiking trail by Wandermagazin in 2016. The tour combines the forces of nature and quiet paths: roaring waterfalls, primeval forests, vast mountain ranges, and rugged Alb edges.
The trail starts at the Bad Urach Waterfall – an impressive torrent that rushes over 37 meters into the depths. The trail continues along narrow paths to Güterstein Waterfall, about the promising Slide rocks and up to the Alb plateau. At the top, breathtaking views await over the Urach Valley, the Hohenurach Castle ruins—and, with a little luck, young fillies at the foal farm of the Marbach State Stud.
Length: approx. 10.5 km
Claim: medium to sporty
Highlights: Two waterfalls, slide rocks, Albkante, Fohlenhof
Tip: Sturdy shoes & surefootedness recommended – especially in wet conditions
3. Ödenwaldstetten circular tour – Enjoy nature, history & barbecue areas
This peaceful circular hike near Hohenstein is perfect for connoisseurs, families, and anyone who wants to combine nature and culture. 9 km long tour leads along well-developed paths through idyllic forests, nature reserves and past cozy barbecue areas – ideal for a picnic or a rest in the countryside.
A highlight is the Ödenwaldstetten Farmhouse Museum: In the original buildings from the 17th and 19th centuries, visitors can experience life and work in the Swabian Alb region up close. This is especially exciting for children and culture-loving guests.
Length: approx. 9 km
Claim: lightweight · also suitable for strollers and seniors
Highlights: Farmhouse museum, forests, barbecue areas
Tip: Ideal for a relaxing half-day hike with a culinary break outdoors
4. Between paradise and tank tracks – History meets pure nature
This extraordinary hike takes you through the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb: the former Münsingen military training area. For over 100 years, this area was a restricted military zone – today it is a quiet, impressive natural area with rare plant and animal species.
The circular tour "Between Paradise and Tank Tracks" runs entirely on paved paths, which are not accessible for safety reasons. Nevertheless, it reveals a unique landscape: vast, peaceful, and full of contrasts between history and nature. Information panels along the trail tell of the area's transformation – from military use to a natural idyll.
Length: approx. 12–13 km
Claim: easy · fully paved · barrier-free
Highlights: TrÜP history, vast landscapes, pure nature conservation
Tip: Ideal for long walks, even with a bike, stroller or wheelchair
5. Glastal & Wimsen Cave – Rocks, bridges & a cave by boat
This hike combines quiet nature with a real highlight: the Wimsen Cave, the only Germany's most navigable cave by boatThe path leads through the romantic Glastal, which has cut deep into the Alb plateau – past moss-covered rocks, under beech trees and over idyllic wooden bridges.
On the way there you hike upstream through the gorge, always accompanied by clear water and high limestone walls. At the destination, the mysterious Wimsen Cave – a karst cave that can be explored on a short boat ride. The return route runs above the valley with magnificent views back into the Glass Valley.
Length: approx. 8 km
Claim: light to medium
Highlights: Glastal, Wimsener Cave (boat trip), pure nature
Tip: Plan your boat trip early (seasonal & weather dependent), good footwear recommended
6. Prelate's Way Zwiefalten – In the footsteps of the abbots to the Alb plateau
The historical Prelate's Way combines culture, nature and history: The abbots of Zwiefalten Monastery once used this path to reach their summer residence on Mochental Castle Today he is a idyllic circular hiking trail, which starts directly in the center of Zwiefalten and leads through a varied Alb landscape.
The tour offers quiet forest paths, wide meadows, and consistently impressive views of the Zwiefalten Valley. Along the way, you can easily imagine how the prelates once traveled here by horse and carriage. The trail is ideal for a half-day excursion – and can be perfectly combined with a visit to the Baroque Zwiefalten Monastery combine.
Length: approx. 9–10 km
Claim: light to medium
Highlights: Zwiefalten Monastery, Mochental Castle, historical paths
Tip: Perfect for those who want to combine culture and nature in the Swabian Alb
7. Heath, hedges & trade routes at Schachen – History meets Alb wilderness
This varied tour takes you through quiet forests, over Alb plateaus and along old trade routes around the legendary SchachenThe ascent follows narrow paths through dense hillside forest – once you reach the summit, the landscape opens up and offers a view of lonely farms and vast heathlands.
Special stations include a lonely farm, a historic cemetery and a charming Albdorf with a turbulent historyThe route is a short walk through the past – embedded in the unspoilt nature of the Swabian Alb.
Finally, a culinary stop with Vesper from Fladhof or a detour to the traditional Luz Millwhere regionality and craftsmanship are lived.
Length: approx. 10 km
Claim: medium · partly steep climbs & natural paths
Highlights: Schachen summit, Albdorf, Luz mill, Fladhof snack
Tip: Hiking poles recommended · ideal for history buffs & explorers
8. Planet Trail Gomadingen – Wandering through the solar system
The Planet Trail Gomadingen makes science come alive: Along a picturesque hiking trail through the Great Lautertal Guests experience our solar system on a scale 1:1 billion – every step corresponds to a journey of millions of kilometers through space.
At around 6 kilometers are the planetary models including informative display boards From the sun to Neptune, you'll learn fascinating facts about the size, distance, and characteristics of celestial bodies – easy to understand and ideal for families with children, school classes, and curious adults.
The path starts at Sternberg near Gomadingen and leads past the pastures and stables of the Marbach State Stud, through the Lautertal valley to the district of Wasserstetten. The route connects Landscape, education and movement in a unique way.
Length: approx. 6 km
Claim: easy · family-friendly & child-friendly
Highlights: Planetary models, Lautertal, Sternberg, Marbach Stud
Tip: Ideal for combining with a picnic – information boards also make little researchers curious!
9. Round tour of the St. Johann stud farm – Panoramic views, foals & fire pits
This enjoyable circular hike offers everything the heart of the Alb desires: vast landscapes, gentle paths along Foal pastures, rest areas with fire pits and wonderful views over the biosphere reserve.
The path leads around the St. Johann Stud Farm, a branch of the famous Marbach State StudHere the focus is on foal rearing – if you're lucky, you'll see the young horses romping around in the spacious meadows.
Along the way, several fire pits invite you to have a picnic or a snack. The route is ideal for a relaxing day trip with family or dog, because the paths are mostly easy to walk and the scenery is extremely attractive.
Length: approx. 10 km
Claim: easy · easy to walk on
Highlights: Foal pastures, St. Johann stud farm, fire pits, Alb panorama
Tip: Especially beautiful in spring and autumn – foal season and clear views!
