Reichenbach am Heuberg: Hiking and History

Hiking trails and a specific route

The Reichenbach am Heuberg local group of the Swabian Alb Association maintains a 20-kilometre network of hiking trails. It is well signposted and regularly maintained. This provides helpful guidance when planning a hike: you can use the local trails as a framework for your outing and choose a more precisely described loop as a separate activity.

The Martinsberg hike runs from Reichenbach to the Lau Hut and back. The route is 4.8 kilometres long, and the stated duration is one hour and 45 minutes. The ascent and descent each involve 210 metres of elevation gain. The distance, duration and elevation gain therefore provide different points of reference for planning your day, so you do not have to judge the hike by distance alone. Before setting off, check the current trail conditions with the tour provider.

The Lau Hut is on Martinsberg near Reichenbach am Heuberg. During the hiking and cycling season, it is mainly open for refreshments on weekends. If you would like to stop there during your hike, check the latest information locally. Its seasonal opening and focus on weekends are separate planning considerations alongside the route and its duration.

The Heuberg as a wider travel destination

Beyond the town, Tuttlingen district provides a broader geographical setting: it encompasses the southwestern foothills of the Swabian Alb, parts of the Baar region and the valley of the Young Danube. The northern part of the district includes juniper heaths and the region of the Ten Thousanders, with ten mountains over 1,000 metres high. The regional hiking routes known as the “Route of the 10 Thousanders” are signposted separately. They are another point of reference, distinct from the network of trails maintained by the local group in Reichenbach.

The district also offers a variety of scenic highlights. The Danube Gorge and the Höwenegg volcanic crater are among them, while white limestone cliffs rise above the Danube Valley. These regional examples help you think beyond a single hike when planning your stay. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you are more interested in the trails around Reichenbach or in exploring the wider landscape of the district.

Church and railway history

The Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas in Reichenbach am Heuberg was built in 1721 and later furnished in the Rococo style. The church also houses one of the few surviving organs made by Hieronymus Spiegel, an organ builder from Fridingen an der Donau. Its architecture, furnishings and organ offer points of interest beyond hiking. Together, they show that a stay need not be limited to exploring the landscape on foot; the town’s history can also be discovered through its buildings and cultural heritage.

The Heuberg Railway is another historical point of interest. It opened to Reichenbach am Heuberg on 25 May 1928. For 38 years, it connected the stations along its route and contributed significantly to the development and industrialisation of the Heuberg communities. This history places the railway within the development of the communities and complements the religious heritage with a look at transport and change. If you would like to combine different interests during your stay, there are specific local subjects to explore at a leisurely pace alongside the Martinsberg hike.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Aldingen, Königsheim, Kolbingen, Spaichingen, Egesheim, Gosheim, Trossingen, Frittlingen.

See the main travel guide: Tuttlingen.