Beautiful LÄND: The Bad Urach Experience [14.08.22]
The Urach Waterfall is probably the best-known waterfall in the Swabian Alb and is one of the special sights of the "UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb" and the UNESCO-recognised "Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve". But the city of Bad Urach also has a lot to offer. Don't miss out on it!
Never heard of Bad Urach? Never mind! We'll tell you the most important things to make your mouth water - everything is even better when you're there!
The City of Bad Urach
Bad Urach is a sweet little town in the heart of the Swabian Alb. With just under 12,900 inhabitants, it can certainly be described as quaint. Nevertheless, there is a lot to discover here, for example the many beautiful half-timbered houses. Bad Urach has repeatedly been the scene of important historical events over the past centuries. From the late ancient power centre of the Alamanni, it developed into a late medieval residential town and a little later became an important centre for the linen trade.
The Residenzschloss (Residence Palace)
Urach became part of Württemberg around 1260. Almost 200 years later, during the time when Württemberg was divided, the southern half of the state was governed from Bad Urach.
The wide Gothic entrance hall and an elegant Renaissance banqueting hall of the Residence Palace show this to this day. Unique in the world is the collection of historic ceremonial carriages.
Admission for students is €2 (with Student ID, up to 28 years). The castle is open daily from 10 am - 5 pm (except Monday).
The Runde Berg (round hill)
Through occasional prehistoric, Roman and medieval finds, it was already known for a long time that the Runde Berg had been settled since the early Bronze Age by various tribes, such as the Celts or the Romans, who were gradually driven out by the Alemanni.
Hohenurach Castle
Built around 1025, never taken militarily, state prison in the late Middle Ages; politically dissenting persons were also imprisoned here, including the Italian master builder Frisoni, one of the builders of Ludwigsburg Castle. In the 18th century it became a quarry from which the population helped themselves when building houses. Today you can visit the ruins of the castle.
Bad Urach Waterfall
The Urach Waterfall is probably the best-known waterfall in the Swabian Alb and is one of the special sights of the "UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb" and the UNESCO-recognised "Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve". A visit to the waterfall is therefore an absolute "must" for every visitor to Bad Urach. The water falls almost 40 metres from the Hochwiese waterfall over the Albtruff edge into the depths. What makes the Urach waterfall so unique are the different perspectives from which you can observe the natural spectacle. From below, you can marvel at how the jet of water plunges into the depths. Not only the waterfall, but also the untouched nature around the waterfall makes the excursion or hike to the Urach waterfall a unique experience.
- Duration: This depends on whether you are walking from the station or coming by car. From the parking lot, it is a 2km walk to the waterfall, from the train station it takes a little longer. Find out in advance and plan your time accordingly. If you want, you can hike from the basin up to the edge or take one of the recommended hiking routes.
- Fitness Level: Even the most untrained and unfit person can make it from the parking lot to the waterfall. :) In general, however, most of the hiking tours around the Bad Urach waterfall are easy to manage. Just walk at a leisurely pace and enjoy nature. Those who are athletic can challenge themselves: Below you will find three recommended hiking routes.
- Equipment | Hiking Gear: Sturdy or firm shoes are certainly practical. Depending on the weather, a rain jacket and/or a warm jumper are recommended. On warm days, sun cream or sunscreen may be advisable. But you know best what you might need. If you plan to do a longer tour, or if it is warm, especially right now during this hot summer period: make sure you take enough to drink.
- Please Protecc!: A special phenomenon can be observed at the Urach waterfall: around the waterfall, lime precipitation from the lime-saturated spring waters occurs and thus leads to the formation of sinter coatings on moss cushions. New layers are formed all the time, and over thousands of years, meter-thick deposits can develop in this way. You can literally watch the porous rock limestone tuff (Quelltuff) grow. Help to protect this natural wonder of the Swabian Alb: Please avoid entering the area of the waterfall. The filigree structures are very vulnerable, when stepped on they are destroyed and must regenerate over a very long time.
How to get there?
From the Universität Hohenheim bus stop, take bus 74 to Nürtingen ZOB (approx. 45 min). There you change to the regional train RB 65 to Neuffen. After 10 minutes you reach Neuffen Bahnhof, where you change a second time, this time hop on the bus 179 Oberlenningen and ride for 15 minutes to the station Erkenbrechtsweiler Untere Straße. Here you change into bus 100 Bad Urach Busbahnhof. It will take you another 20 minutes to get to the terminal station. Use www.bahn.com/en/view/index.shtml or en.vvs.de/home/ to check for connections. Keep in mind that you can use the 9 € ticket until the end of August.
Today's Special: Top 3 Hiking Routes
1. Seeburg Trail/Seeburgsteig (medium*)
On the circular trail around Seeburg, we experience the scenic diversity of the Urach Ermstal valley. Secluded mixed forests, juniper areas and wildly romantic gorges make this hike a real insider's tip on the Urach Alb.
- Duration: 2:45h
- Length: 8,2km
- Ascent: 351m
- Descent: 351m
- Fitness: 3/5
- Technique: 4/5
- Scenery 5/5
- Experience 5/5
2. Waterfall Trail/Wasserfallsteig (medium**)
The Urach waterfall alone is an experience, but in combination with the magnificent views from the Rutschenfelsen and the Gütersteiner waterfall, this tour is a real highlight. The Wasserfallsteig was "Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2016". It is a circular route.
- Duration: 3:00h
- Length: 10km
- Ascent: 511m
- Descent: 510m
- Fitness: 4/5
- Technique: 3/5
- Scenery 5/5
- Experience 5/5
3. Hohenurach Trail/Hohenurachsteig (medium***)
The landmark of the town of Bad Urach - the ruins of Hohenurach Castle - is the highlight of the hike. The fantastic views from the Hanner rocks increase the anticipation. And the path through the lush green mixed forests rounds off the hiking experience. It is a circular route.
- Duration: 2:30h
- Length: 7,5km
- Ascent: 487m
- Descent: 487m
- Fitness: 4/5
- Technique: 4/5
- Scenery 4/5
- Experience 4/5
Check our podcast. A firsthand experience by Prasanth, who already visited the waterfall with friends, can be found here: www.uni-hohenheim.de/news4internationals
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