On the trail of the knights — Germany’s Hohenzollern Trail

Hiking Collection by Vanessa Kopp

6-13

days

3-6 h

/ day

88.8 mi

11,050 ft

10,400 ft

Striking, imposing, unique: this is how Hohenzollern Castle greets its visitors from afar. This magnificent building is enthroned high above on the conical Zollernberg mountain, itself standing out on the horizon. Hohenzollern Castle is one of the many highlights you pass on this seven-day adventure on the Hohenzollern Trail.

You pass other pretty castles, weathered ruins, Roman sites and remains from the Stone Age on this 100-kilometre (60 mi) hiking trail. This diversity is also reflected in nature as you begin in the charming Neckar valley, hike over the high mountains of the Zollernalb and the panoramic Alb plateaus, descend into the lush green valley of the Lauchert and end the expedition in the romantic rocky valley of the Danube breakthrough. The Hohenzollern coat of arms – a black, silver and white shield – features on waymarkers and helps you find your way.

Hiking in this region of Baden-Württemberg is fantastic fun from spring to autumn but nature is at its most beautiful when the leaves on the trees change colour in late summer and early autumn. This natural spectacle in the Danube valley is particularly impressive, as the rugged, light-coloured limestone rocks create a beautiful contrast to the yellow-orange leaves, while down in the valley the blue Danube laps leisurely. What a landscape to flow through.

There are always plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the route. The stages are planned so that you can book accommodation in each destination. However, the choice of inns and hotels is sometimes limited, so it makes sense to book in advance. The area is very well prepared for tourism though so if the accommodation in one town is already full, you’ll certainly find something in the neighbouring town. You can get around the region easily by public transport and all towns along the Hohenzollern Trail can be reached by bus or train. You can find some general information and a list of accommodation on this page: ferienland-hohenzollern.de (in German).

If you have more time, you can hike from Beuron via Meßstetten, Schömberg and Rosenfeld back to your starting point in Sulz-Glatt and complete the loop.

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Der Hohenzollernweg

86.9 mi

11,125 ft

10,450 ft

Last updated: February 14, 2022

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Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Glatt to Haigerloch — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
05:49
12.7 mi
2.2 mph
1,450 ft
1,325 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
What a princely start – the first stage of the Hohenzollernweg begins at the moated castle in the Glatt district of Sulz. Here you are standing in front of one of the oldest Renaissance castles in southern Germany. So start your day early so that you have time to visit the well-preserved palace complex…
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Stage 2: Haigerloch to Hechingen — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
05:14
11.4 mi
2.2 mph
1,400 ft
1,425 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
At the start of this stage, you first get an overview. Because from the viewing platform of the Roman Tower you have a fantastic view of the Zollernalb region. Haigerloch, the so-called "Pearl of the Eyachtal" is at your feet. Beautiful forest trails lead you over the Owinger Berg and past fruit trees…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Hechingen to Burladingen — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
06:21
12.9 mi
2.0 mph
2,325 ft
1,675 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Absolutely outstanding - Hohenzollern Castle on the striking Zollernberg is an imposing feature on the edge of the Swabian Jura. Thanks to the conical shape of the mountain, you can easily recognize the castle from afar. On today's stage you get very close to the building at an altitude of 885 meters…
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Stage 4: Burladingen to Gammertingen — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
06:08
13.3 mi
2.2 mph
1,575 ft
1,500 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Historic walls, impressive forest passages, mainly gentle climbs - this 21-kilometer route takes you from Burladingen to Gammertingen. You hike a lot on shady forest paths and along the Fehla, an 18-kilometer-long Danube tributary. After the first ascent to the Killerberg, you already have the steepest…
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Stage 5: Gammertingen to Sigmaringen — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
07:44
17.6 mi
2.3 mph
1,325 ft
1,625 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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…
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Stage 6: Sigmaringen to Thiergarten — Hohenzollern Trail
Intermediate
04:44
10.2 mi
2.1 mph
1,350 ft
1,350 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Welcome to the Danube Valley. The bright steep walls of the limestone cliffs are a feature of the region and offer an unforgettable hiking backdrop, affectionately known as the "Swabian Grand Canyon". Thousands of years ago, the Danube dug its way through this valley and formed an unmistakable landscape…
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Stage 7: Thiergarten to Beuron Monastery — Hohenzollern Trail
Difficult
05:03
10.7 mi
2.1 mph
1,625 ft
1,525 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Just change your perspective: On this stage you hike the first third over narrow paths and secured climbs through the steep rocks down into the Danube valley. The path then follows the river in the direction of Beuron. The views of the castles, ruins and rock massifs are also impressive from the valley…
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