The route starts in the teddy bear town of Giengen an der Brenz. The Albschäferweg trail leads to the Bruckersberg. There are frequent views of the other side of the valley to the so-called Benzenberg. At the top of the castle hill near Güssenburg, it is essential to walk to the edge of the mountain to enjoy the view of the unique juniper heath landscape opposite on the Hürbehalde. Below the castle hill, the Brenz once flowed to Hürben, around the Kagberg and back into what is now the Brenz valley. The Brenz is reached via a heath path on the Hirschberg with sweeping views of Burgberg Castle and the unique meadow landscape. The Zeiner family's flock of sheep is used to maintain the landscape in the nature conservation areas around Güssenburg. The Hürbe flows into the Brenz under the small bridge. The renaturation areas of the Brenz are a great place to take a long break. The cool Brenz water is a real refreshment for your legs.
A short detour towards Bergenweiler takes you to the Brenz tower. From up there, you can marvel at the extensive renaturation measures that were implemented with funding from the European Union and the state of Baden-Württemberg. The small forest is a nature reserve. Herons, which otherwise frolic in the Wiesental valley and on the Brenz river, breed here. With a little luck, you may also spot the Brenzer stork family.
On the other side of the Brenz, you reach Hermaringen. At the train station in Hermaringen, you have to decide whether to take the train back or walk. The way back is beautiful, leading along the Brenz, over small bridges, past weirs, and below the Benzenberg to Giengen.
Whether at the beginning or end of the tour, don't miss the Steiff Museum and a walk through the old town of Giengen.
Wegbeschreibung
We begin the hike at the train station in Giengen an der Brenz. From there, we walk along Bahnhofstraße, Margarete-Steiff-Straße, and Turmstraße along the Brenz River to the Spitalkirche church. There we find a steel shepherd statue and an information board about the hiking trails in the area. We now follow the Albschäferweg sign and the yellow ring. Passing under the railway, we take a romantic path up to Bruckersberg in the direction of Hermaringen. At the top, the steel shepherd tells us her story about the felt factory. After about 2.5 kilometers, we cross the federal highway via the bridge. For now, we leave Hermaringen on our left, leave the paved road at the edge of the forest, and hike uphill to the left, partly in the forest, partly at the edge of the forest, and then via a natural path to the Schlossberg. We reach the ruins at the end of the path via a staircase. In front of the ruins, the path leads out again and we leave the wooded area via a gravel path. Here we find a wooden sign from the shepherd and shortly afterwards we meet the shepherdess again. She tells us about the landscape conservation area and the wide areas of dry grassland and juniper heath. Across the parking lot and sports facilities, past the clubhouse, where you can stop for a bite to eat, we reach the old quarry again via a heathland landscape and walk along the fence down to the small tarred road. In the distance lies the village of Burgberg with its castle on the hill. We cross the road to Burgberg and arrive at the so-called Hirschberg. Another valuable landscape conservation area with juniper heathland. We follow the middle path, pass benches and stay on this path, which is also well marked. Below the residential area and a playground, we now descend and follow the railway embankment to the mouth of the Hürbe. Here, the renaturation of the Brenz has created another beautiful river landscape. Here we leave the Albschäferweg and cross the Brenz on a footbridge. We now follow the yellow ring through Hermaringen and encounter the Brenz again and again in the village. Shortly before the town hall, we turn left onto a small footpath into the historic district of Hermaringen with its charming old village buildings. On Kronenstraße, we come to a small dammed lake called Brenzsee. At the Brenz weir near the former Voith research facility, you can marvel at the fish ladder. Follow the yellow ring, this time through the underpass of the federal highway, below Benzenberg, always along the Brenz. The rear of the felt factory premises is located opposite on the other bank of the Brenz. Here, the landscape becomes wildly romantic and the meadow path continues to the Aischbachsteg bridge. Across a meadow, which can sometimes be wet, we reach the sewage treatment plant and the Obi premises in Giengen. On the banks of the Brenz, the last section of our route takes us back to the Spitalkirche church.
Sicherheitshinweise
Please bear in mind that you will be walking on mostly natural paths. Paths in the forest may be in poor condition due to forestry work. Therefore, make sure you wear sturdy shoes.
Please note that there are not many places to stop for refreshments along the way. We therefore recommend that you bring plenty of drinks and possibly a backpack snack with you.
Whether at the beginning or end of the tour, the Steiff Museum and a stroll through the old town of Giengen are not to be missed.
