Hesselberg: Ring Walls, Hiking Trails and Cycling Route

The Hesselberg combines impressive landscapes with trails where you can experience nature, geological history and human history together at close range. The particularly well-preserved ring walls are a defining feature and can be clearly seen during a walk around the Osterwiese. There is also a geological educational and hiking trail, several hiking options and a cycling loop around 20 kilometres long. This allows you to plan your trip differently depending on the weather, your fitness level and the pace you prefer.

Ring Walls and Panoramic Views around the Osterwiese

The Hesselberg's ring walls are considered one of the largest ring-wall complexes in Europe. Their lines are especially distinct during a walk around the Osterwiese. Those interested in past settlement patterns and traces of historical landscapes will find a tangible starting point here for their exploration. The Hesselberg is also a protected landscape area. In particularly favourable weather conditions, the view reaches as far as the Alps, around 150 kilometres away – an experience that can be incorporated into your day's plans especially when visibility is clear.

Hiking Trails with Different Points of Focus

The Geological Educational and Hiking Trail focuses on the formation of the Hesselberg. Information boards explain the Jurassic periods from the Lias, or Black Jurassic, through the Dogger, or Brown Jurassic, to the Malm, or White Jurassic. This turns the walk into an informative introduction to the geology of the landscape.

For a longer route, the Hesselberg Trail begins in Gerolfingen at the large car park by the warehouse opposite the “Zum Goldenen Löwen” inn and leads over the Hesselberg. Circular Hiking Trail 1 goes around the Hesselberg along a hiking trail approximately 6 kilometres long. Both details help you plan your hiking day according to your preferred distance without having to limit yourself to just one way of exploring the area.

By Bicycle or Depending on the Wind

The “Around the Hesselberg” family cycling route was officially opened in April 2014. The easy, approximately 20-kilometre cycling loop runs through gently rolling terrain around the Hesselberg. It therefore offers another way to experience the landscape on a continuous circuit. Depending on the wind conditions, the Hesselberg also has two launch areas for paragliding. This activity complements the predominantly ground-based trails with a weather-dependent perspective on the landscape.

Choose the Right Holiday Apartment for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house on the Hesselberg, it is worth deciding first what daily rhythm you want. If hiking is to be the main focus, you can include the starting point of the Hesselberg Trail, the Geological Educational and Hiking Trail or Circular Hiking Trail 1 in your planning. For a day on the bicycle, the route of the family cycling trail is the key point of reference. If, on the other hand, you mainly want to experience the ring walls, the landscape and the possible view of the Alps, you can plan your stay more around the weather conditions and the walk you have in mind. This keeps your choice of accommodation connected to your personal travel idea without requiring every trip to follow the same pattern.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to consider other places in the surrounding area in addition to the Hesselberg, you can also include Ehingen, Wörnitz, Geslau, Weihenzell, Mönchsroth, Weidenbach, Schillingsfürst and Wolframs-Eschenbach in your selection.

To the overarching travel overview: Ansbach.