Tour Details for The Swabian Panorama Way 2008 |
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Day 1. Arrive in the spa town of Bad Urach. Day 2. The first day is also the hardest. It is worth climbing to the ruins of Hohenurach Castle above the town, but this is not on the route. From the town walk first to the dramatic Uracher Waterfall. Continue uphill to a plateau from where there are fine views. (There is a short cut from here if you want to shorten the walk.) The suggested route continues to the Rutschenfelsen (a group of crags popular with rock climbers) from where there are more fine views. Next point along the route is the 820m high Hohe Warte, on which there is a viewing tower. Continue past a stud farm and over two more summits to end on a high plateau at Stahleck (about 13 miles, 2140 feet of ascent). Day 3. This more relaxing day starts with a visit to the few remains of Stahleck Castle. From here you continue to the Eckfelsen crags on the edge of the scarp. From here there is a fine view of much of the rest of the days walk. Continue to the ruins of Greifenstein Castle, another fine viewpoint. Continue across open country over a number of summits to the Traifelberg. From here, cross the valley and climb to Lichtenstein Castle. Like Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, this is not a restored medieval fortress, but a 19th century pastiche. Nevertheless, its dramatic position and its interior make a visit highly worthwhile. From Lichtenstein Castle you continue to the fascinating cave, the Nebelhöhle, one of the finest limestone caves in Europe, with some amazing stalactites and stalagmites. Finally through forest to Genkingen, situated on the European Watershed. Transfer to your hotel in Willmandingen (about 11 miles, 820 feet of ascent). |
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Day 4. Transfer back to Genkingen after breakfast.
Start with a short climb up the Rossberg. After enjoying the view, continue to the
top of the Bolberg, from where there is a sweeping view of the highest ridges in
the Alb. From here it is an easy walk back down to Willmandingen (about 8 miles,
1090 feet of ascent). As this is little more than a morning's walk you can, if you wish, borrow bicycles from the hotel to explore the surrounding area. Day 5. Walk through forest to an attractive spring, then climb up to the Riedenberg viewpoint, the site of a Celtic bronze age fort. Descend to a stream, then walk up the hill of the Three Princes' Stone. The view from here is magnificent. Now the way continues along the edge of the escarpment past the site of Eineck Castle before dropping down steeply to Jungingen (about 14 miles, 1810 feet of ascent). |
