Stage 1: Nattheim – Neresheim (14.2 kilometers)
The starting point is the sheep farm in Nattheim. There we encounter the symbol of the Albschäferweg, a shepherd on a blue background. We follow the asphalt road northward and eventually cross the federal highway – please watch out for traffic! We continue eastward along the edge of the forest, with a beautiful view back to Nattheim. After about 1 kilometer, we turn half-left and continue through the forest, past Bohnerzgruben towards Fleinheim. We always follow the white shepherd symbol on a blue background. After 2.5 kilometers, the signposts lead us to the right. At the end of the path is a Celtic fortification. A partially steep forest path leads us out of the forest to the Eschteich. On the left, a beautiful meadow path leads us further, while on the right, the view opens up to Fleinheim. There, you can stop for a bite to eat at the Ochsen. We cross the road and continue along the meadow path up to Höllteich. Below the Zettelhalde, an extensive juniper heath and gardens, we continue and at the end enter the forest again until we come to the clearing of the former Auernheim castle. At the forest festival grounds, the beautiful barbecue area on the forest fitness trail invites you to take a break. Continue along the beautiful meadow path above Auernheim. After 300 meters, follow Dischinger Straße to the right. Enjoy the fabulous view of Neresheim Abbey. At the next fork in the path, continue left on the Albschäferweg. At the edge of the forest, we descend to the left into Krautgartenhäule. Now we follow the Panoramaweg along the edge of the forest, through a short stretch of woodland into the Zwing nature reserve. The monastery is always in view. Zwing is one of the most beautiful juniper heaths in the Ostalb, a real gem with its striking juniper columns and rare plants. It is a protected nature reserve. Therefore, you should not leave the designated path here. From the higher point, we once again have a fantastic view of Neresheim Monastery. Now we descend on a tarred path and, via the Gallusmühle, we finally reach Neresheim railway station.
Access: From the parking lot at the old sports field to the start of the stage at Schafhof Nattheim + 0.35 km.
Stage 2: Neresheim – Ballmertshofen (14.3 kilometers)
The starting point for the second stage is the train station in Neresheim. First, we hike up Ulrichsberg to the Benedictine Abbey of Neresheim. Here, it is mandatory to linger, rest, and reflect, as everyday life recedes into the distance. We follow the markings of the Albschäferweg trail along beautiful paths through the Härtsfeld forests and past fields and meadows to Katzenstein. Even from a distance, we can see Katzenstein Castle high above us. Katzenstein Castle, one of the oldest preserved Staufer castles, is well worth a visit! After visiting the castle, we continue our hike via Oberer Weiler to the end of Katzenstein. Here we turn right off the tarred road and follow a gravel path and then a meadow path to the left. Beautiful views of the castle and Lake Härtsfeld await us up here. We walk through a wooded area down to the main road. We cross it at the bus stop. We walk up to the dam of the reservoir and follow the lake trail for a while. At the pumping station, we leave the lake trail to the left and continue on a meadow path to the right of the Egau to Dischingen. Via Rosensteinstraße and Fleinheimerstraße, we come to the Dischingen church of St. Johannes Baptist, also known as “Klein-Neresheim.” A gem that is definitely worth a visit. The footpath follows the Egau river to the sports facilities and the Egauhalle sports hall. Behind the hall is an information board where you can get your bearings again. The route now continues through the Egau valley, passing through typical reed beds. Sometimes beavers dam up the stream here and our meadow path can be a little wet. At the nursery, we turn right onto the gravel path towards the forest and then left once we reach it. The trail continues above the Egau and the state water supply facilities towards Ballmertshofen. The stage ends above the Rappenmühle mill. Oberdorfstraße leads us down into the village.
Access: Above the Rappenmühle mill to Ballmertshofen town center + 1 km.
Stage 3: Ballmertshofen – Nattheim (14.7 kilometers)
The final stage of the weekend tour on the Albschäferweg trail starts above the Rappenmühle mill, which we reach from the village via Obertorstraße. Ballmertshofen is also known as the “gateway to the Härtsfeld” due to its southern location on the edge of the region. We hike westward, always following the markings, across the Bavarian border toward Zöschingen. Behind the Rappenmühle mill, the trail first leads toward the forest and then immediately along the edge of the forest on the left and through it. We reach the edge of the forest again at the top and the Ballmersthofen water intake. Here, we are treated to beautiful views of a varied landscape. We stay at the edge of the forest and reach a gravel path downhill, which we follow to the right. Soon we enter the forest again and, shortly before Zöschingen, we reach a wild forest path, which is unfortunately difficult to walk on at times due to logging work. We leave the forest and continue along the edge of the forest. Zöschingen is now below us. We reach the Maria Steinbrunn chapel via well-maintained dirt roads, where we find a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary from the first half of the 15th century. A rest area with Kneipp facilities invites us to take a break. Passing the Zigeunerfelsen (Gypsy Rock), we descend to the so-called “Äußere Mühle” (Outer Mill). We cross the local road and reach a few ponds, natural biotopes with a wonderful rest area. Back in the forest, we hike along a varied forest trail with forest valleys to the Kreuzbuche and the wind turbines, which tower imposingly in front of us. This is the site of Bavaria's first community wind farm. At the Kreuzbuche, we now leave the Albschäferweg and continue straight ahead towards Wahlberg. We now follow the markings of the Swabian Alb Association – the red diamond. We continue our hike over the Wahlberg, once a single farmstead, now a well-known foal farm. After another short stretch through the forest, the view opens up to Nattheim. Passing meadows and fields, we descend to Nattheim. We continue to follow the red diamond. Via Kreuzweg, Gartenstraße, Fleinheimer Straße, Neresheimer Straße, and Pommergasse, we reach the footpath at the school and sports hall. We follow this to Dieselstraße, cross Daimlerstraße in the industrial park, and reach the sports facilities on the slag heap via Carl-Zeiss-Weg. We descend into the valley on a beautiful path to the parking lot at the old sports field.
Access: From Ballmertshofen to the start of the stage at the end of Oberdorfstraße above the Rappenmühle + 1 km.
The Albschäferweg has a high proportion of natural trail sections. You will hike on meadow trails and forest paths and trails. Trails in the forest may be in poor condition due to forestry work. Therefore, please wear sturdy shoes.
Please bear in mind that there are not always places to stop for refreshments. We therefore recommend that you take sufficient drinks and a backpack snack with you. For very difficult sections, we offer more comfortable alternative routes.
It is often necessary to cross busy roads. Please pay particular attention to traffic.
