Three Emperors' Mountains Loop Hike

With its four major climbs and a total distance of over 25 km, this circular hiking trail offers a challenging hike that rewards hikers with unique views from the highest points. From the starting point in Hohenstaufen, the first section of the hike takes us downhill into the Ottenbach Valley.

After passing through the idyllic valley, we reach the plateau of the Rehgebirge. Via Wißgolding, the route continues to the highest point of the trail: the Stuifen. The Stuifen’s elevation offers a magnificent view over the other two Kaiserberge mountains, the Voralps region, and toward the Fildern.

From the highest point, the trail continues to the Rechberg with its Hohenrechberg Castle. Via the Aasrücken ridge, we reach the tour’s grand finale: the Hohenstaufen. By this point at the latest, it’s well worth taking a break to enjoy the picturesque view of the Rem and Filstal valleys.

Take the RE 5 or MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to the Göppingen train station. From there, take bus line 933 to Hohenstaufen and get off at the "Hohenstaufen Juhe" bus stop.

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

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 early 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

The Three Emperor Hills:

The Three Emperors’ Hills consist of Stuifen, Rechberg, and Hohenstaufen. Stuifen is the only hill that is undeveloped. A castle dating from the 11th century once stood on Hohenstaufen. Excavations have revealed that Hohenstaufen was already inhabited before that time. The ruins of the castle, which was burned down during the Peasants’ War, have been archaeologically restored and are open to visitors today. The Rechberg is also home to a castle. Built in the 13th century, it was spared during countless wars and is therefore in much better condition than the castle on the Hohenstaufen. The origin of the term “Three Imperial Hills” remains unclear to this day, as only the Hohenstaufen was ever used by an emperor.