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Lion Trails in the Swabian Alb – 16 Tours around Göppingen

© Schwäbische Alb, Tobias Fröhner

Lion Trails in the Swabian Alb – 16 Tours around Göppingen

Hiking Collection by Schwäbische Alb

16

Tours

56:11 h

118 mi

17,400 ft

Quietly creeping through the snow, one paw in front of the other, as if in slow motion. Nearby, a reindeer is chewing some bark from a gnarled tree. It has no idea that there is a mountain lion lurking close by that picked up his scent from afar. 15,000 years ago, this scene would have taken place in the heart of the Swabian Alb. At the time, mountain lions were widespread across Europe. On these 16 Lion Trails, we take you on a journey back in time to the Ice Age and show you valleys and caves that were once inhabited by lions.

Even today, new discoveries reveal exciting facts about these majestic beasts that once lived here. One particularly unique find was an ivory carving of a lion-human hybrid, the so-called ‘Lion Man’. Archaeologists have been finding traces of this legendary figure in the Swabian Alb since 1939. It is the symbol of this magical beast that accompanies you as you hike the lion trails. The 16 varied circular Tours in this Collection guide you through the lion’s historic territory, showcasing the magical landscapes, unforgettable views and cultural highlights of this low mountain range.

Whether you want to take a Sunday stroll with your family around the Hohenstaufen peak, do a bit of rock climbing, or take on the brand-new ‘Hero’s Tour’ which includes plenty of distance and challenging elevation gain – there’s a Lion’s Trail to suit every fitness level and preference. They all have one thing in common though: fantastic views over the picturesque Albtrauf escarpment. As all of the Tours are circular, you can set off at any point along the route.

You can quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger at one of the many cosy inns en route and warm up over an open fire at a barbecue hut, just like our ancestors would have done thousands of years earlier.

On The Map

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Tours & Highlights

  • Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

    „Weitblick-Tour“: Hoch hinaus und weit geblickt – Löwenpfade um Göppingen

    03:28
    7.40 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,025 ft
    1,025 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    The name of the approximately twelve kilometer long tour speaks for itself: You can expect nothing less than breathtaking views of the steeply towering Alb eaves. A special treat is an almost endlessly long, narrow nature trail, which is especially enchanting in the afternoon sun, which bathes the landscape

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  • 03:44
    7.62 mi
    2.0 mph
    1,375 ft
    1,375 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Wonderful prospects that you have to earn first. The twelve-kilometer-long Löwenpfad has it all when it comes to altitude. But you will be rewarded with unique impressions, dreamlike nature and mysterious places.

    

    You start at the hiking car park at Hexensattel between Reichenbach im Täle and Unterböhringen

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  • 05:12
    10.9 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,650 ft
    1,675 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    At a good 17 kilometers in length, the Geislinger Steigen Tour is one of the longest of all lion trails. It is not only an extravagant experience, it is also a special treat for railway enthusiasts. You are following in the footsteps of the first and steepest mountain crossing in continental Europe with

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  • 03:26
    7.29 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,075 ft
    1,050 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    A truly royal flair surrounds you on this almost twelve-kilometer round between Göppingen and Wäschenbeuren: With the Staufer-Runde lion path you not only walk in the footsteps of the king of animals, but also those of King Barbarossa at the same time. Again and again you will come across historical

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  • 01:05
    2.22 mi
    2.0 mph
    425 ft
    400 ft
    Easy
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    Are you in the mood for a little round today or do you have your family in tow? Then you are well on the way on the Löwenpfad Spielburg-Runde. Although the circular hike is only a good three and a half kilometers, you can look forward to fantastic views, climbing fun for the kids and a lot of history

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  • 02:49
    5.80 mi
    2.1 mph
    750 ft
    775 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    They bloom in all imaginable colors: dark wine red, soft vanilla yellow and delicate purple adorn the flowers of the orchids that bloom along the approximately ten kilometer long lion's path. The tour takes you into the Wasserberg-Haarberg nature reserve and is an insider tip, especially for nature lovers

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  • 02:27
    4.94 mi
    2.0 mph
    850 ft
    875 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    You don't have to hike far to enjoy fantastic views. With the Messelstein and the Rötelsteinen, this lion trail takes you to at least two breathtaking vantage points over a distance of around eight kilometers. It is also worth having some grilled food in your luggage. On your way there is a cozy barbecue

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  • 07:15
    14.6 mi
    2.0 mph
    2,575 ft
    2,625 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

    The king of the beasts also needs a queen stage. With the hero tour you embark on the youngest and longest of all lion trails. Demanding and varied, peppered with a picturesque castle and many challenging climbs and descents that give you unforgettable views - you can expect nothing less from this royal

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  • 03:34
    7.28 mi
    2.0 mph
    1,175 ft
    1,150 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Enjoy the mountain air and at the same time soak up the scent of grilled sausages or vegetables: the “Höhenrunde” lion path redefines and combines enjoyment. Around eleven kilometers, bristling with beautiful vantage points and not neglecting your physical well-being - provided you bring your own grilled

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  • 04:03
    9.00 mi
    2.2 mph
    950 ft
    925 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Fairytale landscapes, through which a river meanders dreamily. Fabulous views, a mysterious cave and a long-abandoned castle ruin. The Löwenpfad around Wiesensteig is the epitome of variety. For a hearty meal, you can work around the fire yourself in one of the barbecue huts. So pack some delicious provisions

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  • 03:37
    8.34 mi
    2.3 mph
    525 ft
    525 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    The “Filstalgucker” lion path is not stingy with charming views. The Tyrolean rock, the Ostlandkreuz and the Burgstall vantage point - they all promise a gigantic view of the Albtrauf and its dreamy places. You don't have to climb very far. For your physical well-being, you are guaranteed to find one

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  • 04:06
    8.45 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,375 ft
    1,400 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Breathtaking beauty, rugged cliffs and postcard-worthy views helped the “Felsenrunde” lion trail to win the title of the second most beautiful hiking trail in Germany in the hiking magazine three years ago. And rightly so. But it's best to see for yourself on the almost 14-kilometer lap.

    

    A unique view

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  • 04:20
    9.14 mi
    2.1 mph
    1,350 ft
    1,350 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

    Up to the Hörnle and the fabulous Bertaburg - the “Berta-Hörnle-Tour” is not called its name by chance. On it, of course, you can expect wonderful views of the foothills of the Swabian Alb, fantastic landscapes and one or the other barbecue hut. A couple of sausages are therefore definitely allowed to

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  • 02:40
    5.42 mi
    2.0 mph
    900 ft
    850 ft
    Expert
    Expert Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

    With the lion path "Ave-Weg" you embark on a spiritual journey with a touch of pilgrimage on the Albtrauf. In order for you to have enough peace and quiet, the round tour is only a good eight kilometers long. A few meters in altitude are still waiting for you to spoil you with the finest views of the

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  • 01:02
    2.43 mi
    2.4 mph
    125 ft
    125 ft
    Easy
    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

    This relaxed tour is the perfect walking tour for the whole family. The four-kilometer route is also ideal for pushchairs or wheelchairs, since you are only on paved paths and have no slopes to climb. The starting point is at the hiking car park at Filseck Castle.

    

    You hike across the open field to Charlottensee

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  • 03:25
    6.75 mi
    2.0 mph
    1,275 ft
    1,275 ft
    Intermediate
    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    The lion trails in the district of Göppingen take you on the trail of the unique lion man. The Geislinger Felsen-Tour lets you experience fantastic views, an impressive rock valley and a bit of history on its almost eleven kilometers.

    

    From the starting point at the SC site in Eybach, you first hike in

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Questions and Comments

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Collection Stats

  • Tours
    16
  • Distance
    118 mi
  • Duration
    56:11 h
  • Elevation
    17,400 ft

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