Swabian Alb
Sometimes, true adventure lies right on your doorstep, on a high plateau that is as diverse and surprising as almost any other German low mountain range. The Swabian Jura is an authentic, pristine landscape full of character that captivates explorers, connoisseurs, and families alike.
The Swabian Jura crosses the region of Swabia from southwest to northeast, forming the unique landscape of a Jura mountain range. The low mountain range is part of a chain that extends from Switzerland to the Franconian Jura. The Swabian Jura section has a length of about 180 km and a width of up to 40 km.
The Jura is a high plateau that rises gently from the Danube in the southeast and has a sharp, often rocky escarpment to the northwest. It is distinctly rural in character. Albstadt is the only somewhat larger city and serves as a service center for the region.
As a UNESCO Global Geopark and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the region is a giant adventure playground for everyone who loves being in the fresh air. Over 13,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails lead through fragrant juniper heaths, past silvery beech forests, and time and again to spectacular viewpoints on the steep escarpment known as the “Albtrauf.”
Those who travel to the Swabian Jura are walking on historic ground. Visit the majestic Hohenzollern Castle, the ancestral seat of Prussian kings, or feel like a knight yourself in Lichtenstein Castle, Württemberg’s fairytale castle, boldly built upon a rock.
But the history reaches back much further. Deep inside the Jura, a mysterious underworld of over 2,500 caves is hidden. Some of them, like the Bear’s Cave (Bärenhöhle) or the Fog Cave (Nebelhöhle), are open to visitors.
Between all the wild nature and historic monuments, the visitor will find charming small towns with picturesque half-timbered scenery.
Swabian Alb – what can you do?
High on the Zollerberg mountain in the Swabian Alb lies Hohenzollern Castle. It is visible far across the country and is one of the most famous sights in the region.
Albstadt is located in the Swabian Alb in Baden-Württemberg. A city tour of Albstadt is not so easy, because the city area consists of various districts, some of which are quite far apart.
A vantage point on the Hohenzollernburg led us to the Zollernburg-Panorama ridge walk. Here, on the Zeller Horn, there is the most unique view of the impressive building.
Albstadt is a textile town. As early as the middle of the 19th century, factories produced clothes here and this has remained the case until today. The Mey company is also based in Albstadt and in addition to production and a large factory outlet, you can also visit the Mey sewing machine museum with the…
Travel information about the Swabian Alb
Arrival
By plane
The nearest national airports are Stuttgart Airport, Nuremberg Airport, Munich Airport and Zurich Airport.
By train
ICE train stations are located in Stuttgart and Ulm. The IC stops in Aalen, Horb, Rottweil and Tuttlingen. On the Alb plateau there are usually hourly stops of RE and RB trains.
By car
The federal highways A 7 and A 8 cross the Swabian Alb. In addition, numerous federal and country roads lead through the low mountain range.
On the way in..
By train
The Swabian Alb is served by several regional and national railroad lines, but on some routes there is only sporadic or no passenger traffic at all. On some lines there is occasionally (especially on weekends) tourist traffic with historic steam trains or railcars.
By bus
The bus line network is very wide-meshed and many lines run very infrequently. In addition, some areas are not served at all.
By car
When traveling with your own vehicle, sudden ice slippery conditions can be expected in the spring and fall when driving up the Alb. The car is the most frequently used means of transport in the region.
Tourist Tax
However, the regulations and the amount of the visitor’s tax (German: Kurtaxe) are not uniform for the entire Swabian Jura region but are instead determined individually by the respective municipalities. Therefore, the costs and the associated services can vary from place to place.
Amount of the Visitor’s Tax:
The amount of the tax is typically between €0.50 and €2.50 per person per night. Children and adolescents are often exempt from payment or pay a reduced rate. There are also frequently special regulations for business travelers.
Here are a few examples of the visitor’s tax in different towns in the Swabian Jura:
- Bad Urach: Depending on the spa district, the visitor’s tax is between €2.00 and €2.50 per person per night.
- Gomadingen: Here, the tax is €0.50 per person (aged 16 and over) per night.
- Other towns: A visitor’s tax is also levied in other tourist-focused towns such as Hayingen or Sonnenbühl. The exact amount is laid down in the respective local ordinances.
AlbCard
A significant benefit for overnight guests who pay the visitor’s tax is the AlbCard, which is available in many municipalities. The AlbCard is issued to overnight guests free of charge at check-in by over 100 participating accommodation providers. With this card, you can, for example, use the region’s public transportation for free during your stay. Additionally, around 130 sights and attractions offer free one-time admission when you present the card.
The card is valid from the day of arrival up to and including the day of departure.
