First, enjoy the unique crater landscape around Steinheim. You will soon discover why the trail is rightly called the Albschäferweg (Alb Shepherd Trail) when you visit the sheep farm in Steinheim. Around 600 Merino ewes and 10 Merino rams live here. An old sheep track leads up to the Hitzinger Steige and on to the children's fairground at Zanger Berg. One of the most impressive examples of special natural landscapes is the Wental. Its special feature is the around thirty freestanding bizarre dolomite limestone rocks – such as the Felsenmeer, Wentalweible, Spitzbubenstadel, Bischofshut, Sphinx, and Hirschfelsen. Via the Bänklesweg in Zang, the trail passes the forest settlement on winding paths to the Herwartstein ruins. Here, it is worth making a detour to the Brenz spring. Below the Herwartstein rocks, you come to Lake Itzelberg. The lake was once created by monks because fish were sufficient as fasting food. Through extensive forests, we steadily climb back up to the Albuch.
Wegbeschreibung
Stage 1: Steinheim – Zang (17.5 kilometers)
In Steinheim, we start at the Schäfhalde hiking car park. First, we are treated to a magnificent view over the Steinheim crater. The trail leads us to the sheep farm at the Busentalhalde. We walk along an old sheep track through the Busental valley up to the Hitzinger Steige. The barbecue areas invite us to take our first break. Now we continue westward along the edge of the forest. We hike over the Zanger Berg to the Hohe Steige. Almost the entire way, we have an impressive view of Steinheim and the crater basin. At the Hohe Steige, we cross the L1165 and continue on field and meadow paths to the tranquil Doschental valley. Now we walk through the Wental nature reserve with its remarkable rock formations. Hikers can quench their thirst at the Landhotel Wental before we continue towards Zang. From here, we hike through the Felsenmeer and past the Hexenloch. After about 200 meters, we follow the forest path, passing the Gmeintalhütte. After leaving the forest, the view over Zang opens up. We continue along the edge of the forest to the forest parking lot.
Access: From the end of the stage at the Zang forest parking lot to Zang + 0.8 km.
Stage 2: Zang – Steinheim (14.9 kilometers)
We start at the forest car park in Zang and initially follow the Bänklesweg trail. We leave the circular trail and Zang behind us and hike through a short stretch of forest. Soon a forest clearing opens up and we continue along the edge of the forest. Back in the forest, we continue on beautiful forest paths, cross the main road and soon reach the forest settlement of Königsbronn. At the entrance to the village, follow the forest path, Steinheimer Weg, and Haselweg, and at the last houses, follow the footpath to the right. A beautiful meadow path takes us to the next junction. Here, it is worth making a short detour to the Herwartstein ruins. We are treated to an impressive view over the Brenz Valley. Back on the Albschäferweg, we descend into the Brenz Valley on beautiful forest paths. After a short stretch along the Brenz, we reach Lake Itzelberg. The idyllic lake invites us to take a break. We leave the lake trail and turn right onto Stürzelweg. This takes us up to the forestry school. At the forestry school, we now walk along the edge of the forest on the left. Large signs point us to the “Siebter Fuß” protected forest. First, we cross the protective forest and continue along the forest paths alongside the natural forest reserve. Please follow the signs and stay on the marked hiking trail. We follow our marker—a white shepherd on a blue background—steadily uphill. After about 3.7 kilometers, the forest opens up and we get a view of the Mittelrain residential area. We cross the K3035 at the Dickhölze hiking car park. After about 250 meters, we leave the Albschäferweg and now follow the Swabian Alb Association's yellow fork markings. We continue hiking on wide and comfortable forest paths towards Steinheim. Finally, it is worth stopping off at the Heiderose restaurant before we return to our starting point, the hiking car park
Access: From Zang to the start of the stage at the Zang forest parking lot + 0.8 km.
Variation: Follow the “Brenzquellrunde” trail (marked with a yellow ring) via the source of the Brenz and the historic center of Königsbronn to Lake Itzelberg.
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.
