It's a short stage, so you should use the morning to visit Hellenstein Castle in Heidenheim and its museums. Feel like relaxing? Then it's worth visiting the Hellensteinbad “Aquarena” with its panoramic sauna first. The route leads along juniper heaths on Moldenberg to Ramenstein Cave. After that, the Albschäferweg trail takes you to Schafhof Nattheim. For shepherdess Karin Wiedenmann-Riek, working with sheep is the best job ever.
Autorentipp
Sundays from April to October: Visit the enchanting Coral and Local History Museum in Nattheim
Wegbeschreibung
From Hahnenschnabel in Heidenheim, the trail first takes us down to the Brenz River. Here we encounter the enchanting Brenzpark, the site of the 2006 State Garden Show. On the banks of the Brenz, we walk upstream towards Schnaitheim. At the Zeller Bäderbau company, we leave the promenade, cross the road, and follow the footpath until we reach the Kugel building materials store on Badenbergstraße. We cross Nattheimer Straße and continue to follow Knupfertal. The footpath takes us over Spechtweg and Stieglietzweg to the heathland of Moldenberg. Here, we zigzag our way up to the sports facilities on Moldenberg. Opposite the car park is a hiking information board. From there, we enter the forest on beautiful forest paths. Here, the exercise equipment of the “fitness trail” accompanies us until we reach a gravel path. There, we continue to the right. After about 150 m, we turn left onto a grass path. After about 300 m, we follow the straight grass path to the right, past the Jakobshülbe, to the Gehrenhütte. Unfortunately, the path is repeatedly covered with puddles and requires a little skill and attention from hikers on the Albschäferweg trail. However, the natural state of the forest creates new habitats and is important for biodiversity. We therefore refrain from using gravel. At the Gehrenhütte, we return to a gravel path. Continuing to follow the hiking sign, we cross the A7 motorway and, after a short distance, turn right onto a natural forest path leading downhill. At the bottom of the gravel path, we turn left and climb quite a distance, then turn right at a large crossroads onto a grassy path towards Ramensteinhöhle. Be careful when descending to the cave: the path can be difficult to walk on in bad weather. If this is the case, simply walk back along the forest meadow path to the crossroads and follow the easier route. After descending from the Ramenstein Cave, continue along a beautiful meadow path through the Zimmertle Valley to the “Alten Sportplatz” (old sports field) and then on to the Wiedenmann sheep farm in Nattheim. From the old sports field, a hiking trail leads over the Halde into the village. From the sheep farm, you can also follow the paved bike paths into the village.
Access:
From Heidenheim city center to the start of the stage at Hahnenschnabel in Heidenheim + 1.5 km.
From the end of the stage at Schäferei Wiedenmann to Nattheim + 1.5 km.
Alternative route: In bad weather, the descent to Ramensteinhöhle cave is difficult. Please follow the marked, easier alternative route. The trail leads to Stephanstal valley and the old sports field. Here you will rejoin the Albschäferweg trail.
Sicherheitshinweise
The Albschäferweg trail has a high proportion of natural sections. You will be hiking on meadow paths and forest trails and paths. Forest paths may be in poor condition due to forestry work. Please therefore ensure you wear sturdy footwear.
Please bear in mind that there are not many places to stop for refreshments along the way. We therefore recommend that you take sufficient drinks and a backpack snack with you.
We offer more comfortable paths as an alternative to very difficult sections.
It is often necessary to cross busy roads. Please pay particular attention to traffic.
