The first stage is characterized by the Brenz floodplains, the Hürbetal valley, magnificent forests, and heathland. Crossing the Bruckersberg and passing the ruins of Güssenburg, you arrive at the Brenz renaturation site. This is a great place to linger and observe nature from the Brenzturm tower. The route continues towards Sontheim. The Panoramastein offers a magnificent view. Passing Niederstotzingen, you reach the stage destination of Stetten and thus also the Lone Valley, whose Vogelherd Cave, along with five other caves in the Ach and Lone Valleys, has been recognized as a World Heritage Site since July 2017.
Autorentipp
Rest stop at the Brenz renaturation site with the Brenz tower between Hermaringen and Bergenweiler
Wegbeschreibung
The Albschäferweg trail is marked with a white shepherd on a blue background. Yellow signposts indicate the stage destinations and distances. Green signposts indicate the direction of the Albschäfer-Zeitspuren, the circular hiking trails on the Albschäferweg.
The first stage of the Albschäferweg trail begins in Giengen at the Spitalkirche church (Spitalstraße/Wasserschapfgasse). Here, an overview board provides information about the hiking trails in the region. From the Spitalkirche, continue straight ahead in a southerly direction over the Brenz bridge, first through a railway underpass, then along an idyllic path up to the Bruckersberg and the first shepherd's stele, which tells the story of the felt factory. On the way to Hermaringen, you can enjoy wonderful views of the Brenz valley and the Benzenberg mountain opposite. After about 2.5 kilometers, cross the bridge over the federal highway and follow the signs to the right into the forest. The trail climbs between orchards and the edge of the forest to the Schlossberg. At the Güssenburg ruins, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Brenz Valley and the vast heathland. The next shepherd's stele awaits with its story about landscape conservation. We pass the sports fields. At the edge of an old quarry, we continue to the road connecting Hermaringen and Burgberg. We cross it and hike across the heath on the Hirschberg. Once we reach the bottom, we follow the railway embankment to Hürbe and then to Brenz. The renaturation of the Brenz has created a beautiful river landscape once again. We continue to the right over the small wooden bridge on a path with two paved lanes, always along the Brenz. You can enjoy a panoramic view from the Brenzturm, a wooden observation tower. At the end of the track, turn right and go under the railway underpass. Now you have to pay attention, because after a few meters, the Albschäferweg trail leads off to the left, below the edge of the slope on a meadow uphill towards Bergenweiler. At the entrance to Bergenweiler, turn right, past the cemetery, and then left again onto a meadow path. The route goes around the village on beautiful paths with wonderful views of the Danube Valley (unfortunately also with the cooling towers of the Gundremmingen nuclear power plant in view). In the village, it is worth making a detour to the Brenz learning center with a rest area in a pavilion. In Bergenweiler, the Albschäferweg trail turns left at the end of Kapellenfeldstraße and shortly thereafter turns right along the edge of town. It then continues along a meadow path at the edge of the forest toward Sontheim, with a constant view of the castle and Gallus Church in Brenz. At the end of the meadow path, turn right onto a gravel path that leads into the forest. Shortly after the edge of the forest, the Albschäferweg trail branches off to the left and leads along a path to the forest playground in Sontheim. There you can take a break. At the forest playground, a forest path continues to the riding hall and then along the sports fields on paved paths to the Panoramastein. On some days, the view there extends as far as the Alps. The Danube Valley and Günzburg are definitely visible. The next shepherd's stele tells another story about sheep farming. The next beautiful landscape destination is the so-called Dexelberg, a forest heath. You now walk through the forest for a few kilometers until you reach the Niederstotzingen forest playground with a rest area. Here you can go down to the town to spend the night. Soon you will leave the forest, passing an imposing oak tree with a bench (beware of processionary caterpillars). The view stretches far into the Danube valley again. Turn away from the forest and head south. After a few hundred meters, at the highest point, turn right again across the fields toward the forest and power lines. Here, the markings are somewhat sparser, as the wooden posts are constantly losing the battle against large agricultural machinery. Passing through the forest, you will soon reach the Stettener Keller, the residence of the Württemberg knights and thus the first stage destination of Stetten ob Lontal.
Access: From Giengen train station to the start of the stage at the Spitalkirche church + 0.5 km.
Ausrüstung
Good footwear (hiking boots) is recommended.
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.
