Ellwangen (Jagst): Culture, Nature and Trails

Cultural History and Special Places

Ellwangen Castle and the Schönenberg Church together form a landmark visible from far and wide. In the castle courtyard, the elegant Renaissance arcades catch the eye. The castle museum explores more than 1,250 years of Ellwangen’s culture and history and that of its surroundings through permanent and special exhibitions. The objects on display include faience and porcelain from the Schrezheim manufactory, founded in 1752 by Prince-Provost Franz Georg von Schönborn.

The Alamanni Museum offers a different historical focus. Drawing on significant archaeological finds, it provides an overview of five centuries of Alamanni settlement, from the 3rd to the 8th century AD. Life-size scenes depicting Alamanni life bring the exhibition to life, complemented by interactive media featuring screens and moving images. Numerous elements invite visitors to touch and take part.

Visitors who would like to explore the town centre on a guided tour can take the 90-minute “In the Footsteps of the Prince-Provosts” tour. It visits St. Vitus Basilica, the Protestant town church and the market square with its Baroque collegiate canons’ houses. The Kalter Markt is also one of Ellwangen’s special traditions: it is among the most traditional horse markets in southern Germany and is Ellwangen’s oldest festival. It includes a parade through the historic town centre, with more than 300 horses and carriages taking part.

Castle Ponds and Lake Landscape

The 63-hectare Ellwangen Castle Ponds nature reserve provides a habitat for many animal and plant species. It includes the castle ponds and the surrounding traditional orchards; the rare water lily Nymphaea candida can also be found there. The “Exploring the Nature Reserve” app offers two interactive tours to discover the plants and animals that live there: an audio tour with information and sounds, and a quiz tour.

You can also experience the Ellwangen lake landscape on seven selected circular hiking trails. Forest valleys, views from higher ground and lakes shape the landscape described along the routes. If you would like to make nature experiences and walks a priority when choosing your accommodation, these circular walks offer practical guidance for planning your trip.

Hiking and Cycling: Different Routes

Hiking Route 2 is 12 kilometres long and leads to natural beauty spots and cultural monuments in and around Ellwangen. The 8-kilometre Hiking Route 3 climbs to the hills above the town and visits the Schönenberg pilgrimage church and the “Castle Ponds” natural monument. The routes differ in length and destinations: Route 2 links natural and cultural sights in and around Ellwangen, while Route 3 focuses on the hills and its two named destinations. Schönenberg Church is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart.

For a longer bike ride, the Ellwangen Limes Cycle Loop starts at Ellwangen Schießwasen. The 42-kilometre route passes through the Jagst Valley and across the Limes and the hilly lake district before returning to Ellwangen. If you would rather plan a hike than a bike ride, the shorter hiking routes can serve as a guide; their distances can help you estimate your plans for the day, without making any claims about duration or difficulty.

Getting Here and More Travel Ideas

Ellwangen is an InterCity station on the Karlsruhe–Stuttgart–Nuremberg route and a stop on the Ulm–Frankfurt route. The town centre is a few minutes’ walk from the main station. If you are travelling by car, Ellwangen is right on the A 7 and has its own motorway exit; from there, the town centre is 10 minutes away. You can factor travel by train or car into your choice of destination, then decide whether culture, hiking or the lake landscape will shape your stay.

If you are considering other places for your trip, also discover Durlangen, Neuler, Wört, Oberkochen, Bartholomä, Gschwend, Tannhausen and Leinzell.

For the wider travel overview: Ostalbkreis.