Discover Heroldstatt
Accommodation in Heroldstatt
Heroldstatt offers several different highlights: its extensive trails provide opportunities for both classic cross-country skiing and skating; in Ennabeuren, the Marienkapelle chapel recalls the visits made by Father Josef Kentenich to pray; and in Sontheim, alpaca farm activities are available. When planning a holiday apartment stay, it therefore helps to consider which of these experiences you would like to shape your trip: physical activity, a historical connection or a shared occasion.
Breithülen in der Gemeinde Heroldstatt auf der Schwäbischen Alb
Photo: Heini Woldschläger via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cross-country skiing in two styles
The extensive trails in Heroldstatt offer opportunities for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. Whether you prefer one technique or the other, you can choose between two different styles of cross-country skiing locally. You can decide which one suits your plans based on personal preference. Trail conditions vary by season and should be taken into account when planning.
A historical connection in Ennabeuren
The Marienkapelle chapel is located in Ennabeuren, which is part of Heroldstatt. Father Josef Kentenich, founder of the Schönstatt Movement, visited it repeatedly to pray. This historical connection gives the place a religious and cultural-historical point of interest. For travellers interested in this kind of history, it complements the active pursuits with a different subject and another perspective on Heroldstatt.
Cave refreshment house and alpaca farm activities
The Höhlenrasthaus refreshment house is located right next to the entrance to Sontheim Cave. Its dining room can accommodate 80 guests and is wheelchair accessible. The information about capacity and facilities refers to the dining room; check current operating conditions before travelling.
Alpaka-Dreams in Heroldstatt-Sontheim offers guided farm tours and children's birthday parties. These are two different occasions that may play a part in planning a holiday. If you are planning a tour or a children's birthday party there, confirm current availability directly with the farm.
The Alb-Donau district as a wider travel setting
The wider destination of the Alb-Donau district brings together additional cultural and landscape highlights. The Alb-Donau district is part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. Among the region's well-known archaeological sites is Hohle Fels near Schelklingen: this UNESCO World Heritage cave is where the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Geierknochenflöte” (Vulture Bone Flute) were found. Both finds are about 42,500 years old. Blaustein is home to Ehrenstein Stone Age Village, a Neolithic settlement in the Blau Valley and part of the transnational serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps”.
The monasteries also add distinct historical highlights to the Alb-Donau district. Blaubeuren Abbey was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1085; its present-day buildings are predominantly Gothic and date from 1466 to 1510. The former Premonstratensian abbey of Obermarchtal is also in the Alb-Donau district. Its monastic complex rises directly above the Danube and acquired its present form between 1686 and 1795.
Hiking and cycling options for different distances
For day hikes, the Alb-Donau district has 20 circular routes called “Eiszeitpfade” (Ice Age Trails), ranging from 6 to 14 kilometres. The family-friendly “Eiszeitspuren” (Ice Age Traces) offer shorter options, from 1 to 6 kilometres. The Besinnungsweg (Contemplation Trail) is designed for multi-day tours. The options therefore differ both in length and in the type of tour described.
The themed cycling routes also offer a choice of distances: the “Eiszeittäler” (Ice Age Valleys) route is 75 kilometres long, the “Berg Bier-Tour” 115 kilometres, and the “Albtäler” cycle route 186 kilometres; the latter has a four-star rating. Together with the hiking trails, these routes form a varied regional selection of themed outings, which is distinct from the local offerings in Heroldstatt.
Whether you want to centre your stay on cross-country skiing, a historical connection or a particular farm activity, these interests can guide your search for a holiday apartment in Heroldstatt. The wider Alb-Donau district adds its own hiking, cycling and cultural highlights.
Discover more destinations: Nellingen, Asselfingen, Staig, Kirchen, Schelklingen, Weidenstetten, Allmendingen, Laichingen.
Go to the wider travel overview: Alb-Donau district.
