Hike Germany’s Swabian Alb – by bus and train

Tours

21:23 h

45.1 mi

6,350 ft

It's no secret that the Swabian Alb, in southern Germany, is a mecca for hiking. Characterised by rooty hiking trails, sunny orchards and breathtaking views from the Alb ridge, the low mountain range boasts around 90 trails that are waiting to be discovered. Furthermore, your journey can be as green as the unique natural and cultural landscape. In this Collection, we reveal our favourite hikes in the area – which are all easily reached on public transport.

Just as the low mountain range stretches through Baden-Württemberg, the hikes in this Collection extend from Geislingen an der Steige to Beuron. Hike over the scenic cliffs in the Upper Danube Nature Park, sample the local breweries in Ehingen, or roam through the Kleine Lautertal Valley.

To get to the starting points of the hikes, you can safely leave your car behind. The starting points of the Tours can all be reached by bus and train – which is, of course, particularly easy with the Deutschlandticket (a subscription-based ticket for all public transport, valid in the whole of Germany). Wherever you’re coming from, you don't have to worry about getting here. Plus, you're doing something good for the environment as well as for yourself. Just get in, lace up your hiking boots and off you go to the Alb.

Insider tip for those who want to save money: book a short trip with one of the 150 or so AlbCard hosts in the region, allowing you to use the regional public transport free of charge during your stay and receive numerous additional services free of charge.

On The Map

Tours

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Ice Age Trail: Lauterfelsensteig
04:02
8.80 mi
2.2 mph
1,000 ft
1,000 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The ice age path Lauterfelsensteig in Blaustein has it all. Sometimes rugged and with magnificent views, sometimes gentle and lovely, it leads you through the Little Lauter Valley and onto the Alb plateau. A tour that you will especially like as a sporty hiker. Because it's constantly changing up and…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Donauwelle: Oak Rock Panorama and Swabian Grand Canyon
04:36
9.05 mi
2.0 mph
1,775 ft
1,775 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
This circular hike takes you along winding paths and wonderful panoramic paths through the heart of the Upper Danube Nature Park. The starting point of the hike is at the impressive Beuron Monastery. You can save the visit to the monastery church as a highlight for the end of your tour. First you have…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Beer hiking trail in Ehingen – hiking in the Swabian Alb
03:48
8.96 mi
2.4 mph
400 ft
400 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Beer culture is alive and well in Ehingen, and it's not for nothing that the town on the Danube is called the city of beer culture. The best conditions to get to know the local breweries on this 14-kilometer hike. From the train station in Ehingen it is only about 100 m to the tour. However, the official…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
"Geislinger Steigen Tour": Along the Swabian construction of the century
04:53
10.2 mi
2.1 mph
1,600 ft
1,600 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
With a length of around 16 kilometers, you will walk one of the longest of all lion paths with the Geislinger Steigen tour. This not only makes it an exuberant experience, it is also a special treat for railway lovers. You are following in the footsteps of the first and steepest mountain crossing in…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Unterjesinger Vineyard path – Fruit Trail
01:47
3.69 mi
2.1 mph
625 ft
600 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Short but oho! This is how you could describe the premium walking trail "Unterjesinger Wengertwegle" with its many special features, spread over just six kilometers. A wonderful circular hike with varied paths, diverse landscape impressions and great views awaits you.

"Wengert" is Swabian and means "vineyard…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
HOCHGEHBERGE on the Swabian Alb
02:19
4.47 mi
1.9 mph
975 ft
975 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
A castle with great views, exciting rock formations and a picturesque heather landscape await you on this hike near Neuffen. As a treat on top, you can also explore the sun-drenched vineyards. This round along the Albtrauf is aimed at sporty hikers who walk safely on narrow paths.

You can easily get to…
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