Westerheim: Hiking, Winter and Culture

Westerheim combines marked hiking trails and historic sites with winter activities. The town is located in the approximately 85,300-hectare Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. When choosing a holiday apartment, it can therefore help to decide first what you want to focus on: hiking and exploring, culture, or a stay with winter activities.

Hiking Trails and Views

Six main hiking routes are clearly marked throughout Westerheim. Two offer specific guidance for planning: Route W2, about 10.5 kilometres long, recommends the summer toboggan run car park as a starting point. The best place to start the just-over-seven-kilometre W4 route is at the Alb-Halle. Downloadable fairy tales can be played at any three rest stops along the W4—a special touch for a break on the trail.

The approximately eight-kilometre Chapel Hiking Trail crosses Westerheim and continues to Egelsee. The Loretto Chapel, built in 1705, is located along the trail. This makes it possible to combine a walk with a visit to a historic site. Residents regard Sellenberg as Westerheim’s local mountain; from there, you can enjoy beautiful views across the surrounding area. Sellenberg is also the municipality’s green lung and its festival grounds.

The 212-metre-long Schertel Cave is located in the surrounding area, outside Westerheim. Its two passages feature stalactite and sinter formations. If you want to combine a hike with a visit to the cave, take the different locations into account when planning your day.

Culture, Views and Leisure

St. Stephen’s Church is used for worship and also serves as a venue for concerts, weddings and exhibitions. Guided tours are possible; it is best to check in advance whether a tour can take place at your preferred time. The municipality has installed a Viscope telescope at the Westenberg viewpoint.

The Alb-Bad is another option in Westerheim: the indoor swimming pool has a large swimming pool and a separate paddling pool for toddlers. Check the latest operating information before visiting. Adventure golf is an outdoor leisure attraction; you should also check its specific opening hours before your visit.

Winter Days and Cycling Routes

In winter, Westerheim has more than 30 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, with skating options of varying lengths and difficulty levels. If you would rather glide over the snow than spend your time on a hiking trail, the cross-country ski trails are an option; snow conditions vary. Four drag lifts are subject to seasonal and weather conditions. Snowshoe hikes are also possible when conditions are suitable.

Other snow-dependent activities mentioned include skijoring, in which a horse pulls a person over the snow, and kite skiing, in which a paraglider pulls a skier over the snow. Check in advance which of these activities are available at your preferred time. This keeps your plans flexible if winter does not bring suitable snow conditions.

For sporty cyclists, suggested Tour 4, “Mountain and Valley Stage for Sporty Cyclists,” is another option: the 49.3-kilometre bike tour is described as starting from Westerheim. No specific starting point is given. The route that best fits your stay therefore also depends on whether you want to focus on a hiking route with a designated starting point or a longer bike tour.

Choosing the Right Stay

Options range from short and longer hiking routes to culture and an indoor swimming pool, as well as snow-dependent winter activities and a longer bike tour. When choosing your holiday apartment in Westerheim, it helps to consider the pace of your days: Should a hike with a clearly named starting point shape the day, would you like to include culture and views, or will your stay depend on winter conditions? The experiences described offer different things to consider, without any one focus needing to suit every trip.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Blaustein, Ulm, Börslingen, Lonsee, Bernstadt, Berghülen, Illerrieden and Neenstetten.

Back to the main travel overview: Alb-Donau District.