Albsteig Stage 1

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The Albsteig is a 350 km hiking route through the Schwabische Alps. Stage 1 heads from Donauwörth to Harburg, both delightful towns. You can return via a 12-minute train journey.

Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.

Location

The Albsteig Walk starts at the tourist information in Donauwörth. If you come via train, it’s an additional 900 metres, or 10 minutes walk from the train station to the start of the hike.

Donauwörth

To first explore the cute historic town, check out our Donauwörth Walking Tour, which will add up to an additional 5 km to your hike. There are many cafes and restaurants to have a break before you start the first stage of the Albsteig Hike.

When you’re ready to leave, head to the tourist information and you’ll see a signpost with many hiking and biking routes marked. The Albsteig Nordrandweg, HW1, (this hike) is marked with red triangles on a white background. You first walk through a little tunnel before heading left along the town promenade, a park area with remains of the old city walls to your left.

At the far side of the town you’ll walk through a dark old tunnel, originally a railway (from 1849 to 1877) and now only for pedestrians. The first part of this hike follows the old railway line as it contours smoothly alongside the Wörnitz River. There are lovely views over the river and the surrounding countryside.

Roughly 4.5km from the start, you’ll leave the old railway line and head right up a track. You’ll soon come into the town of Wörnitzstein where you head left down towards the Wörnitz River.

Geotop Kalvarienberg Wörnitzstein

Shortly before the river, you’ll see a sign on the right of the road to the Geotop Kalvarienberg Wörnitzstein. Head right up this road and up the steps through the pink archway to reach the small chapel at the top of this small rocky hill. These rocks are ejecta from the formation of a meteorite crater to the north of here, 14.5 million years ago. The rocks were hurled several kilometres through the air due to the powerful impact of the meteor.

You can walk all the way around the chapel where there are several signs (in German) explaining the geology of the rocks. The small chapel is open to have a peak inside, and there are several benches surrounding it that make a great spot for lunch. There are excellent views from here over the river, countryside, and town below. When you’re ready, head back down towards the river.

Cross the river then take the first left and immediate right to walk through the fields. You soon head right again, then left across the railway and right on the other side of the tracks. In a short distance the path heads left up into the forest.

Bavarian Forest

The next part of the route passes into an undulating forest. There are both pine trees and deciduous trees, with views across grassy areas to the surrounding towns.

You’ll also pass through some lovely wheat fields, and in late spring or summer many wildflowers are blooming by the edge of the path. At every junction, check fo the red triangles on white background, as the route takes many forks through the forest. Eventually you’ll leave the forest behind and continue through fields.

Soon you’ll see the castle of Harburg on the horizon up ahead. Instead of heading straight there, the route winds around a promontory that has great views over Harburg town and the castle itself. Make sure you take the path on the edge of the hill so that you see the views. You’ll find some fairytales in the woods here and signs pointing you towards the castle. The official Albsteig Stage 1 route ends at the castle. The train station is 2 km from the castle, through Harburg Town (see below).

Harburg Castle

Harburg Castle is a very well-preserved castle that stands high on the hill over Harbug Town. It’s one of the large and oldest castles in Southern Germany and can be busy on the weekends.

The castle is open from Mid-March to early November, every day from 10am until 5pm. You must buy a ticket at the entrance, which is €3/2 per adult/child. Make sure to take a leaflet (available in English) which contains a little map of the castle. A guided tour, which allows you to see more of the inside, is an extra €4/2. There’s a cafe/restaurant within the castle grounds for a refreshing drink, snack or full meal.

Harburg Town

You can leave the castle via the Lower Bailey to head directly down some steps into the main town of Harburg – look out for the small door in the wall. The rest of the town is very cute, with an old bridge, cafes, nice buildings, and a riverside park area.

You’ll come out in town by the Rathaus (town hall), situated in a lovely old building. Head right towards the old stone bridge, on which are some delightful cafes and great views. Once over the river turn right. On sunny summer days you’ll see people paddling in the river here, or sunbathing on the grassy riverbanks.

Returning to Donauwörth

The train station is by the cement factory at the other end of town. To get there walk left along Grasstraße. The road ends and a path begins, signposted to the railway station. You’ll use the railway bridge to cross over the river (check the views back up to the castle) and then walk alongside a car park. Head left at the road, seemingly into the cement factory, and soon you’ll see a DB (Deutsche Bahn) sign on the left by the train station.

Trains run only roughly every 2 hours to Donauwörth, though the journey only takes slightly longer than 10 minutes. There’s a ticket machine at the station.

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If you enjoyed this walk, check out our other hikes in Germany.

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