Discover Hohenstein: Trails, Forest and Castle Ruins
Accommodation in Hohenstein
Hohenstein can be explored on foot and on two wheels: various circular routes lead through the districts and surrounding area. There is also a challenging mountain bike route, a relatively flat cycling tour and trails with a particular focus on nature. A castle ruin in the forest and a memorial site in Bernloch add to the picture. When choosing your holiday apartment, it is therefore worth first asking how you would like to spend your holiday: on longer cycling tours, hikes or a mix of outdoor activities and culture.
Experience hiking and nature mindfully
The circular routes offer a way to explore Hohenstein’s districts and surrounding area on foot. The nature trail also passes through a protected landscape: part of it runs through the Bauenhofen/Häulesrain nature reserve. The health hiking trail leads to Ödenwaldstetten and invites you to experience the landscape, fauna, flora, trail conditions and views with all your senses. When comparing your hiking options, one difference is whether you take a circular route or pay particular attention to your surroundings along the trail.
Another activity is available in winter, depending on conditions: cross-country ski trails are groomed in Hohenstein when there is enough snow. Snow conditions are therefore an important factor if you are planning winter days with cross-country skiing.
Cycling tours with different focuses
The challenging West mountain bike tour is 32.3 kilometres long and includes around 450 metres of elevation gain. Its named highlights include Dachenstein, Hohenstein Castle Ruins, Maßhalderbuch Estate and Oberstetter Tal. It starts at Brechhölze in Bernloch. The route length, elevation gain and named stops provide a clear basis for planning your day.
The East mountain bike tour covers 24 kilometres and 390 metres of elevation gain. It starts at the farmhouse museum in Ödenwaldstetten and runs via Schachen into the Lauter Valley to Wasserstetten. A shorter alternative cuts through Amseltal instead of going via Schachen. By the stated distances, the East tour is shorter than the West tour; its elevation gain is 390 metres compared with around 450 metres. This does not imply anything about the East tour’s difficulty.
The 30-kilometre “Around Hohenstein” tour offers a different kind of route. It passes through all of Hohenstein, is relatively flat and can be travelled by bicycle or inline skates. According to the description, it is well suited to families. Compared with the two mountain bike tours, the modes of travel mentioned here are another useful point of comparison, alongside distance and elevation gain.
Castle ruins and culture in Hohenstein
Near Oberstetten, Hohenstein Castle Ruins stand in a forest among moss-covered boulders and gnarled trees. There is a viewing platform and a barbecue area on the grounds. The Hans-Reyhing-Stube in Bernloch was established in 1985 in memory of local poet Hans Reyhing. It offers a different focus from the routes and nature spots: this cultural site commemorates a person described as Bernloch’s local poet.
More things to see in the wider destination of Reutlingen
If you are planning a trip to the wider destination of Reutlingen, there are further hiking, nature and cultural attractions to explore. Fifteen hiking routes in the hochgehberge trail network run through the district of Reutlingen. In Zwiefalten, the Minster of Our Lady is the centrepiece of the old monastery and pilgrimage town. It is one of the most important examples of German Late Baroque architecture; minster concerts are held there every year. Lichtenstein Castle was built between 1840 and 1842 on the foundations of an older knights’ castle.
In Münsingen, the Swabian Alb Biosphere Centre uses interactive exhibits and audio and video contributions to share information about the nature, landscape and people of the biosphere area. These regional cultural and nature attractions offer a different focus from Hohenstein’s own circular routes and can help you weigh up your interests when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Sonnenbühl, Eningen Unter Achalm, Lichtenstein, Bad Urach, Dettingen An Der Erms, Pfronstetten, Engstingen.
Return to the destination overview: Reutlingen.
