From the Swabian Alb to Alpine foothills – Heuberg-Allgäu Trail
8-16
days
3-6 h
/ day
116 mi
8,850 ft
7,350 ft
The Heuberg-Allgäu Trail takes you on a varied hike through natural and cultural landscapes from the lonely south-western Alb in southern Germany, along the lively shores of Lake Constance and into the pre-Alpine Allgäu. You cross deep forests and mystical moors, roam across beautiful green meadows where cows graze peacefully and make your way through vines and hop plants. Along the way, you discover medieval old towns and historical sights such as churches, monasteries and castles. The famous pile dwellings on the shores of Lake Constance and a beautiful open-air museum in Neuhausen ob Eck also lie en route.
The Heuberg-Allgäu Trail is the main hiking trail 9 (HW 9) of the Swabian Albverein. It leads 185 kilometres (115 miles) from the town of Spaichingen over the Great Heuberg plateau and across the southwest of the Swabian Alb to Lake Constance. You follow the northern shore of the lake which has fantastic views over the water and to the Alps. Next, thet trail takes you deeper into the Württemberg region to the city of Wangen im Allgäu. For the grande finale, you ride through the town of Isny before climbing the Schwarzen Grat, the highest mountain in Ravensburg.
I’ve divided the route into 11 stages. The paths are mostly well-maintained and easy to walk so they’re also suitable for less experienced hikers. The stage lengths can be challenging, but you can master them easily with a solid basic fitness level. As accommodation is quite limited on many of the stages, it is important to plan and book in advance. Some of the hikes take you through sparsely populated areas, so you won't always have the opportunity to stop for a bite to eat along the way. You should definitely carry some food in your rucksack.
What is the best time of year for the hike? If possible, you should avoid walking the Heuberg-Allgäu Trail during the high season in summer. Lake Constance can be quite crowded and very hot when the sun is shining. This long-distance hiking trail is ideal for spring and autumn, when the holiday resorts are a little quieter and the climate is pleasant.
As the long-distance trail starts at Spaichingen station, you can easily get there via rail. There is no station near the end of the hike. Instead, you could take a bus from Isny to Wangen or Kempten where there’s a train station.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:2311.8 mi2.2 mph1,125 ft1,200 ft
Your first day on the Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg starts with a good route. With fantastic views you hike over the plateau of the Großer Heuberg and then leisurely through the picturesque Ursental. …
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Intermediate02:225.27 mi2.2 mph650 ft250 ft
On the second day on the Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg you can take a deep breath again, because today there are less than ten kilometers on the program. So it can be a …
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- Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult06:0013.8 mi2.3 mph650 ft1,525 ft
With the third stage, a longer route is waiting for you again. But it's more downhill than uphill. Quiet paths lead you through the moraine landscape with its flat hills. In the south of Neuhausen ob Eck you go under a country road and then dive into nature. Every now and then you pass a meadow, but most of the time you stay between the trees.
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:3810.3 mi2.2 mph1,075 ft950 ft
On the fourth stage you will see Lake Constance for the first time. And because it's so beautiful, you hike above the shore on a path on which one lookout …
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:5611.6 mi2.3 mph500 ft800 ft
A wonderful vantage point welcomes you outside of Hödingen in the morning. Maybe you would like to enjoy your breakfast here with a view of the lake? Then it is …
byMareike - Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:3113.2 mi2.4 mph375 ft525 ft
Furthermore, Lake Constance as well as vineyards and fruit trees on the first part of the stage determine the landscape. For the first few kilometers you hike a little above the shore with a clear view. In the winegrowing village of Hagnau you then switch back to the water. Passing a campsite and a harbor, you can relax here on the flat paths.
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:2210.6 mi2.4 mph300 ft75 ft
Today is your last day at Lake Constance. But you still stay in the flat areas near the shore and therefore only have to overcome a few meters in altitude. From Friedrichshafen you hike along Lake Constance to the next place Eriskirch. Enjoy the leisurely riverside paths and the view over the water again. Perhaps the lake will give you a beautiful view of the Alps when you say goodbye.
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:4710.9 mi2.3 mph1,000 ft725 ft
On the eighth stage it is now hilly again, because you are getting closer to the Allgäu with big steps. Today's route is characterized by varied cultural landscapes. As the first backdrop, extensive hop fields are on the program. Fittingly, you also leave Tettnang on the hop path that accompanies you to Brünnensweiler. From the hill you have a fantastic view over Lake Constance to the Alps.
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate02:556.73 mi2.3 mph475 ft425 ft
The ninth stage on the Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg can be done well in half a day. This is quite practical, because your destination is the city of Wangen, which is already in …
byMareike - Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.Intermediate04:149.64 mi2.3 mph925 ft475 ft
On the tenth stage, you are out and about a lot on asphalt paths and small roads. The phenomenal view of the Alps, which stretch along the entire horizon in …
byMareike - Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.Difficult05:2711.9 mi2.2 mph1,825 ft400 ft
The eleventh and last stage of the Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg is a brilliant finale. It ends on a wonderful panoramic summit. That's why it's not quite there with the stage destination, because then the descent is still waiting for you. The route is a nice end to the long-distance hiking trail, because it is once again very varied and combines nature with culture.
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Collection Stats
- Tours11
- Distance116 mi
- Duration50:36 h
- Elevation8,850 ft7,350 ft
