Day 1: Arrival

Individual arrival by train or car to the hotel in Giengen an der Brenz (free parking available near the hotel).

Day 2: Hike from Giengen an der Brenz to Stetten ob Lontal

Who doesn’t know the teddy bear with the famous button in its ear? Giengen is its hometown. This is where the Albschäferweg begins, ending today in Stetten ob Lontal. Along the way, you’ll meet shepherds with their flocks of sheep and goats, and at the end of the stage, you’ll reach the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Caves and Ice Age Art of the Swabian Alb” in the Lone Valley.

The first stage is shaped by the Brenz meadows, the Hürbe Valley, beautiful forests, and heathland. Over the Bruckersberg, past the Güssenburg ruins, you’ll come to the renaturalized Brenz River – a perfect spot to linger and observe nature from the Brenz Tower. The route continues toward Sontheim, where the “Panoramastein” viewpoint offers a splendid vista. Passing Niederstotzingen, you’ll reach today’s destination: Stetten. (approx. 18 km, 270 m ascent)

Day 3: Hike from Stetten ob Lontal to Herbrechtingen

Two must-dos on this stage: a visit to the Charlottenhöhle cave and a rest stop at the viewing platform on the Falkenstein estate, with a panoramic view of the renaturalized Brenz River in the Eselsburger Valley.

From Stetten, the trail leads through Stettberg Forest into the Lone Valley, then up to Kaltenburg Castle ruins. Just a stone’s throw away lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Caves and Ice Age Art of the Swabian Alb,” including Vogelherd Cave, Hohler Stein, and Bockstein Cave. Below Kaltenburg is the Charlottenhöhle, at 587 m one of the longest accessible show caves in southern Germany. Above Hürben, the Albschäferweg leads to Falkenstein estate, with breathtaking views over the Brenz in the Eselsburger Valley nature reserve. A beautiful path then descends to Anhausen. (approx. 14 km, 150 m ascent)

Day 4: Hike from Herbrechtingen to Gerstetten

You might know the term “cliff” from places like Rügen – but on the Swabian Alb? On this stage, you’ll walk along the Heldenfinger Cliff, part of the rocky coastline of the Tertiary Sea. Along the way, you’ll also discover pristine valleys such as the Kießen Valley and Hungerbrunnen Valley.

Through beech forests and up onto the Alb plateau, the route passes through Kießental to the Heldenfinger Cliff – the ancient boundary between the Kuppenalb and the Flächenalb, formed 15 million years ago. The porous rocks still bear the marks of ancient shipworms and boring sponges. The Banzhaf family’s sheep farm lies on the way to Hungerbrunnen Valley. From this secluded valley, with its characteristic intermittent spring, the trail continues through the Gassen and Säubere Valleys. On the plateau, the Eglenseen lakes make a perfect resting spot. (approx. 18 km, 290 m ascent)

Day 5: Hike from Gerstetten to Steinheim am Albuch

Earth’s history up close – of all meteorite craters, the Steinheim Basin is the best-preserved in southern Germany. Nature is equally impressive here, with vast heathlands and colorful mixed forests.

Across wide plateaus and past sweeping heathland, you’ll soon reach the Eglenseen lakes and then the water tower. At the “Drei-Wettertannen” picnic area, a first break is well worth it. A picture-perfect Alb village surrounded by orchards and forest follows, before the route leads into the Stubental Valley. The Steinheim Basin, with its central hill, is considered the best-preserved meteorite crater of its kind worldwide. (approx. 19 km, 330 m ascent)

Day 6: Hike from Steinheim am Albuch to Zang

You’ll find out why the trail is called the “Albschäferweg” at the sheep farm in Steinheim – home to more than 600 Merino sheep. In the Wental Valley, thirty bizarre dolomitic limestone pillars, known as the “rock sea,” create a surreal landscape.

Enjoy the unique crater scenery around Steinheim before heading to the sheep farm, where some 600 Merino ewes and 10 rams are kept. Following an old sheep drive, the trail climbs up the Hitzinger Steige to the “Kinderfestplatz.” (approx. 16 km, 340 m ascent)

Day 7: Hike from Zang to Heidenheim an der Brenz

From the ski jump to the lake, from the Ostalb heights to the Brenz Valley – variety is guaranteed. Cool your tired feet in the fresh spring water of the Brenz and relax at the Itzelberg Lake.

As the local song goes: “Ois wois i gwieß: Wenn ma Zang kennt muß mas möga” (“All I know for sure: if you know Zang, you must love it”). If you enjoy rest stops, Zang’s “Bänklesweg” (bench trail) will not disappoint. Passing the “forest settlement,” the path winds to Herwartstein ruins, where a detour to the Brenz spring is recommended. Beneath the Herwartstein cliffs, you’ll reach Itzelberg Lake, created by monks as a fish pond for fasting days. Through expansive forests, the route climbs steadily to the Albuch plateau, ending at the Hahnenschnabel viewpoint with sweeping vistas and shepherd tales. (approx. 16 km, 290 m ascent)

Day 8: Hike from Heidenheim an der Brenz to Giengen an der Brenz

The grand finale – once again, wide forests and beautiful heathlands await. All Albschäferweg hikers owe a debt of gratitude to the sheep, the true landscape keepers of the Heidenheim Alb.

Near Oggenhausen, you’ll come across the “Holzweg” with its interactive stations. The gentle climb to Rötenberg is soon mastered. Through the characteristic heathland of the Swabian Alb, you’ll finally reach the teddy bear town of Giengen – home of the cuddly toys with the famous button in their ear. (approx. 18 km, 300 m ascent)

Day 9: Departure

Individual departure by car or train.