On the track of the knights – 7 stages on the Hohenzollernweg

What a princely start - the first leg of the Hohenzollernweg begins at the moated castle in the Sulzer district of Glatt. Here you stand in front of one of the oldest Renaissance castles in Southern Germany. Start your day early, so you have time to visit the well-preserved castle grounds. Continue through the Neckar valley until you start after about nine kilometers, the crisp but short climb to the Kirchberg. On beautiful forest trails you walk past the monastery Kirchberg, can catch a glimpse of the castle Hohenzollern in good weather and then descend into the Eyachtal. After nearly 20 kilometers and 470 meters in altitude, you have reached your destination Haigerloch.There are many possibilities to stop off on this route, starting with the Café in the Glatt Castle over the beer garden in the Kirchberg Monastery. There are several hotels and inns in Haigerloch. An overview of the restaurants and accommodations is listed here: haigerloch.de.On the city's website, you can also read what else you can experience in Haigerloch. Did you know, for example, that here in 1944 a beer cellar was converted into a research room with experimental reactor? In the Atomkeller Museum, you will learn the story behind it.

At the start of this stage you get an overview. Because from the observation deck of the Roman tower you have a fantastic view of the Zollernalb region. Haigerloch, the so-called "Pearl of the Eyachtales" is at your feet. Beautiful forest paths lead you over the Owinger Berg and past fruit trees to Rangendingen. Continue on over the hamlet of Berg until a sign shows you the short detour to the Stauffenberg monument. The last meters you leave on the way to the hunting lodge Lindich behind you. Now it goes comfortably downhill in the Hechinger district Stein.On this route you will pass several nice resting places. After seven kilometers you will find a barbecue. Shortly before your destination, you will pass another barbecue area with a refuge. You do not want to carry a snack? No problem, there are several restaurants along the way. There is only one inn in Stein, so it makes sense to book in advance at the Hotel Lamm (phone: 07471/9250).If you arrive early in Hechingen-Stein, then it is worth a visit to the Roman open-air museum "Villa Rustica". Here you get an impression of how people lived in Roman times and what was discovered especially in the region around Hechingen. The museum starts its season in April. Opening times and entrance fees can be found here: villa-rustica.de.

Absolutely outstanding - Hohenzollern Castle on the striking Zollernberg is an imposing feature on the edge of the Swabian Alb. Thanks to the cone-shaped mountain form, you can easily recognize the castle from a distance. On today's stage, you'll be close to the building at 885 meters. Let's start the 20 kilometer hike in Hechingen. After visiting the Hohenzollern, you will hike uphill again to the Zeller Horn, then stay for about six kilometers on a plateau. Day destination is the place Killer, a district of Burladingen. At the beginning of the hike, the trail will take you through the urban area, but if you're out of Hechingen, you'll be hiking on forest and root paths.On this route you will pass beautiful resting places with impressive views - from and with Hohenzollern Castle. Especially beautiful is the view from the Zeller Horn, halfway through the hike. At the castle itself you will find shady spots in the beer garden. However, on nice days, be prepared for many visitors to the Hohenzollern. In Killer you can stay in the Gasthof Lamm (phone: 07477/1088).You happen to be in Killer on the first Sunday of a month? Then you can visit Germany's only whip museum. It is open on Sundays from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Historic walls, impressive forest passages, mainly gentle climbs - this 21 kilometer route will take you from Burladingen to Gammertingen. You hike a lot on shady forest trails and along the Fehla, an 18-kilometer-long Danube tributary. After the first climb to the killer mountain you already have the steepest section of this route behind you. Enjoy the scent of the forest and the medieval sites, before you can take off your hiking boots in the cozy town of Gammertingen.On the route you come through the villages Burladingen and Gauselfingen. There you will find restaurants, snack bars and shops. There are several places to stay in Gammertingen.You are still looking for a cool after the hike? Then you can splash around in the leisure complex on the Lauchert, at the northern exit. There is a beach, a barefoot path and a Kneipp facility for tubed hikers. Admission is free.

Always along the water. On this 29 kilometer stage you follow the Lauchert from Gammertingen to Sigmaringen. On its way to the Danube, the Lauchert flows past romantic forests and lush meadows. Castle ruins and impressive caves are also on your way. Did you know that the Swabian Alb is one of the most caving regions in Europe? The caves were washed out by the water, because where you are today hiking, the Jurassic once sloshed. Continue through the Lauchert Valley, then over the Nägelefelsen and down to Sigmaringen in the Danube Valley. This stage is a bit longer, but you have little to climb. And on the way there is enough to discover.On the way, you will wander through several villages where you can find restaurants and take a long break. Or you are looking for a secluded spot on the banks of the Lauchert. The choice of accommodation in Sigmaringen is great.The picturesque Lauchert valley is characterized by many rugged, bright cliffs, often perforated by caves. The dense forests give colorful contrasts to the rocks. This route makes a great transition from the Zollernalb region to the Danube valley.

Welcome to the Danube Valley. The bright cliffs of the limestone cliffs are a feature of the region and offer an unforgettable hiking backdrop, lovingly also called the "Swabian Grand Canyon". Thousands of years ago, the Danube dug its way through this valley, forming a unique landscape between Beuron and Sigmaringen. The valley is adorned with numerous castles, ruins and caves. This 16 km long section of the Hohenzollernweg takes you from Sigmaringen up and down to Thiergarten. Again and again you have fantastic views of the Danube, in this region still a tranquil river. Their journey through ten countries to the Black Sea has just begun.In Sigmaringen and Inzigkofen you will find several restaurants. Nice rest areas with a view of the Danube valley are also on the route. In good weather, just sit on the rocks and enjoy the view of this unique landscape.In Thiergarten you can board the "Jack Rattels". There are cabins at the pirate-style inn, the galley provides you with food, and the crew will be there to help with any information. If you do not want to scrub the deck, then reserve it here: jackrattle.de. If you are not seaworthy, you will of course find other accommodation in Thiergarten.

Just change the perspective: on this stage you hike the first third on narrow paths and secured trails through the steep rocks down into the Danube valley. Then the path follows the river towards Beuron. Even from the valley, the views of the castles, ruins and rock massifs are impressive. More Danube valley than on these 17 kilometers does not work. The tour starts in Thiergarten. Enjoy the views from the top before wandering down the valley - left and right, surrounded by the steep, bright cliffs. Shortly before the end you cross the Hermannsteg and have your goal in mind: the monastery Beuron.You want a nice place for a break? Then sit down in the grass along the Danube and enjoy the scenery around you. In Hausen and Beuron you will also find restaurants. In your destination, there are several accommodations where you can reserve a bed - including in the monastery.From Beuron there are still four daily stages until you arrive back in the starting point Sulz-Glatt. By public transport you need about two hours until then. From Beuron take the bus to Tuttlingen. There you continue by train to Sulz. From there it is only ten minutes by bus to the district of Glatt.