Dürnau: Orchard Trail, Swabian Sayings and Castle History

The Orchard Trail and the Swabian Sayings Trail offer different experiences in Dürnau: one combines planted sections with views, while the other brings Swabian dialect into the theme of the trail. There is also the history of the moated castle, which was demolished long ago. Together, these places and themes offer different ways to discover Dürnau.

Orchard Trail and Sayings Trail

The Orchard Trail south of Dürnau and Gammelshausen is approximately 1.5 kilometres long; the walkable route has a break in it. Around two-thirds of it is planted. Along the way, there are views of the gently rolling foothills of the Swabian Alb, the Three Kaiser Mountains, the Schurwald forest and the Stuttgart area. A connecting section of the Orchard Trail leads to the children’s playground at Dürnau’s former fire pond and then uphill to the shooting club.

The Swabian Sayings Trail was launched at the initiative of dialect author Michael Wahl, who grew up in Dürnau. Encouraging and reflective sayings were incorporated into its design. The trail runs through Dürnau’s southern outskirts, mostly along the same route as the Orchard Trail and just below a nature conservation area. This brings the Orchard Trail’s viewpoints and the dialect sayings together along much of the route.

Traces of Local History

Dürnau’s moated castle was first mentioned in 1237 and demolished in 1845. A stone arched bridge replaced the original drawbridge; the arched bridge is still visible. Those interested in historic townscapes will find a tangible connection to the castle’s history here, even though the castle itself no longer stands.

Another landmark is the Protestant Church of St. Cyriacus in Dürnau. Its daily opening hours are listed as 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; in winter, it is open until nightfall. Check the hours locally before visiting.

More options in the wider destination of Göppingen

The wider destination of Göppingen also offers options for active days on a range of scales. The Löwenpfade in Göppingen district are circular hiking trails between 3 and 24 kilometres long. They can be walked in either direction and are signposted and marked both ways. At each starting point, an information board provides details about the route, elevation profile and sights along the way. Compared with the approximately 1.5-kilometre Orchard Trail, this range of distances offers a different choice for a day’s hike.

For mountain biking, the Löwentrails in Göppingen district comprise four circular routes ranging from 16 to 30 kilometres. They are particularly suitable for beginners and e-mountain bikers. The “Albtäler” cycle route is 186 kilometres long and passes through Göppingen district and the neighbouring districts of Heidenheim and Alb-Donau. These regional offerings are independent options in the wider destination, not additional trails in Dürnau.

The landscape also shapes the wider destination: the orchards along the Albtrauf escarpment are part of an old cultural landscape in Göppingen district. For a stay focused on more than Dürnau’s trails, hiking and cycling routes, as well as regional scenery, offer additional possibilities.

Choose the right search location

If you are mainly interested in exploring the Orchard Trail, the Sayings Trail and local history, you can consider Dürnau as the search location for your holiday apartment. Choosing between Dürnau’s themed trails and the longer regional routes can help you decide what you would like to focus on.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Heiningen, Gruibingen, Schlat, Böhmenkirch, Hattenhofen, Geislingen An Der Steige, Uhingen, Aichelberg.

To the wider travel overview: Göppingen.