Lonsee: Water, Juniper Heathlands and History
Accommodation in Lonsee
Lonsee lies in the Swabian Alb at the beginning of the Lone Valley, surrounded by juniper heathlands and woodland. The town reveals its distinctive character where water, nature and history come together: at Lonesee, waterbirds and a nature trail bring the natural environment to the fore; from Salachberg, you can enjoy views of Lonsee and the surrounding area. There are also traces of Roman times and church art. This mix gives you several reasons to consider Lonsee as a holiday destination, depending on whether you are more interested in landscape, water or culture.
File:Lonsee Ansicht vom Hörnenweg II 2020 03 08.jpg
Photo: Andreas F. Borchert via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Water and Habitat at Lonesee
Lonesee has been here since 1978. It is a rare expanse of water in the Swabian Alb and is used in particular by waterbirds. A diverse range of plant and animal life has also established itself at the lake. In 2014, Lonesee, its dam and island underwent extensive restoration to protect the water balance. The Lone flows into Lonesee via a water wheel—a distinctive feature of the interplay between the river and the lake.
A nature trail at Lonesee offers a variety of ways to experience water while also raising awareness of this sensitive habitat. The focus is therefore not just on the expanse of water, but also on its importance as a habitat. If you would like not only to observe nature but also learn more about the vulnerability of a lake, the trail brings these two themes together.
Another precisely measured water feature can be found in Urspring: this is where the Lone rises at 562 m above sea level from a spring basin 6 m deep and 10 m in diameter. These figures make the river’s source more tangible and complement the view of Lonesee with a different perspective on water.
Views and Nature Through the Seasons
Salachberg is a viewpoint overlooking Lonsee and the surrounding area. While Lonesee foregrounds water and habitat, Salachberg offers views of the town and its landscape. On the juniper heathlands near Lonsee, pasqueflowers are in full bloom in April when the sun is shining. If you plan your trip around natural highlights, these are two distinct features: views of Lonsee and the surrounding area, and a bloom tied to April and sunshine.
Church Art and Traces of the Past
The Protestant St. Mary’s chancel-tower church was built in the mid-19th century. Oil paintings of the twelve apostles by Christoph Nikolaus Kleemann hang on its north, east and south walls. Painted on wood, the works measure 77 × 68 cm. The artist, subject, medium and position on the walls provide a specific art-historical detail that adds a distinct note alongside the landscape themes.
Another period in history comes into view along the Roman Road. The Roman fort “Ad Lunam” can now be identified in the landscape only by the square arrangement of the hedge strips; an information sign describes the Roman site. The fort dates to 81–160 AD. The shape of the hedges, the sign and the date connect a visible trace today with its historical context.
The wooden sculpture “Stone Age Man at Lonesee” also makes a striking impression in scale: it weighs 17 tonnes and is 6 metres high. Compared with the apostle paintings, which measure 77 × 68 cm, the difference between the church furnishings and the large-scale sculpture is clear. Both details show the varied ways art and history take shape in Lonsee.
Regional Perspectives in the Alb-Donau District
Beyond Lonsee, the wider destination of the Alb-Donau district broadens the picture with its own regional themes. Hohle Fels near Schelklingen is a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the discovery site of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Vulture Bone Flute”; both finds are around 42,500 years old. Hiking options also vary in length and format: the 20 circular “Ice Age Trails” are 6 to 14 km long and suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Ice Age Traces” range from 1 to 6 km, while the Contemplation Trail is intended for multi-day hikes. Alongside its cultural and historical attractions, the Alb-Donau district thus offers hiking options of different lengths and formats.
Discover more destinations: Illerrieden, Nellingen, Berghülen, Allmendingen, Bernstadt, Öpfingen, Griesingen, Weidenstetten.
For the wider travel overview: Alb-Donau district.
