Geislinger Steige Nature Trail

The hike begins at the Geislingen (Steige) train station. After crossing the railroad bridge, the trail turns right toward Alte Weiler Steige and leads up to the Helfenstein Castle ruins. From the castle ruins, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding area. The trail continues into the Weiler ob Helfenstein district, where it branches off to the right toward the Ödenturm. The Ödenturm offers a magnificent view of Geislingen, the “City of Five Valleys.”

At the fork near the Ödenturm, follow the trail toward Hofstett am Steig. At the edge of the forest before Hofstett, the route turns right onto a narrow path into the woods. This path leads south over the Mühltalfelsen to the Ziegelhütte. From the Mühltalfelsen, an impressive view opens up of the Geislinger Steige, a significant structure in Swabian railway history and once the steepest railway line in continental Europe.

After the Ziegelhütte, the trail runs a short distance along the B10 toward Geislingen. At the junction for Türkheim-Wittingen, a hiking trail branches off to the left, leading down into the idyllic Rohrachtal valley. Passing the Schimmelmühle and the Straubmühle, you follow an accessible path through the picturesque Rohrachtal Nature Reserve back to Geislingen. The trail runs along the Rohrach River, through the pedestrian zone and the city park, until you finally reach the starting point at the Geislingen (Steige) train station.

The detour along the narrow nature trail to the Knoll Monument should only be taken when the ground is dry, wearing sturdy hiking boots, and if you are absolutely sure-footed.

When wet, some trails can be slippery and dangerous. Watch your step and use hiking poles for stability if necessary.

By Car
You can reach Geislingen an der Steige via the B10 Stuttgart–Ulm and via the A8 Stuttgart–Munich, taking the Mühlhausen i. Täle or Merklingen exits.

Take the RE 5 or MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to Geislingen/Steige. The hiking tour begins right next to the train station.                     

You can find the regional schedule at: www.vvs.de/fahrplan

Parking options at the start/end point, Geislingen (Steige) Train Station

Additional parking options
, Helfenstein parking lot
, parking lot in Hofstett am Steig
, Ziegelhütte parking lot

Respectful Coexistence in the Göppingen District.

Code of Conduct:

Respect trail closures and the quiet zones established in the recreational trail plan. Leave no trace—such as trash or animal waste—and treat the trails with care. Be proactive and considerate. Adapt your behavior to the situation at hand. Safety comes first. Respect other users of the woods and open fields. Be considerate of animals and plants. Plan ahead and make the most of daylight. Try to avoid the morning and evening twilight hours. Observe the ban on entering agricultural land during the growing season. Stay on marked trails and avoid forest edges; this helps wildlife get used to people.

For more information, visit ruecksicht-macht-wege-breiter.de

For even more background information, a guided tour is well worth it (reservations: 07331 / 9463204).

Alternatively, on clear days, plan extra time at the lookout points—the views are especially impressive at the Ödenturm and Mühltalfelsen.