Donauberglandweg Trail and Albtraufgänger TrailBeautiful Hikes in the Swabian Alb

The day doesn't take its time. You trudge along the path to the viewpoint at the Memorial Temple in the dark, barely able to see your hand in front of your eyes. Suddenly you find yourself high above the Danube. It's just after 5 a.m., and the river is still shrouded in fog. But the play of light is already beginning: In the east, a bright red band appears on the horizon, getting brighter and wider by the minute. Soon, the magnificent Beuron Abbey appears in silhouette. The Danube Valley takes on depth and color. You remain silent, not because you are still tired from getting up so early. But because you are witnessing a magnificent spectacle on a beautiful late summer morning. In the light you enjoy the picnic you've brought: coffee, sandwiches, fruit, vegetables and yogurt. There's no better way to start the day.

Your viewpoint is not far from the Donauberglandweg Trail above the Danube. This four-day hike is one of the European Leading Quality Trails and, along with the Albtraufgänger Trail, the only trail in Baden-Württemberg with this distinction. The sunrise picnic is a new offer from the Berghaus Knopfmacher Hotel: a thermos flask of coffee and a breakfast backpack await you early in the morning. You can hike to the Eichfelsen Rock or the Knopfmacherfelsen Rock and enjoy your morning coffee, muesli and sandwiches in the great outdoors.

The hotel near Fridingen is a great place to stay before stage 4 of the Donauberglandweg Trial. This trail connects the highest mountains and deepest valleys of the region - and Mount Lemberg with Beuron Monastery - over a distance of about 60 kilometers. A good 2,000 meters of elevation must be overcome in impressive landscapes that change daily. Sometimes it's along the Swabian Alb Ridge, sometimes through a wild and romantic side valley of the Danube. Then from the top, from the rocky edge of the Seepage Canyon, down into the valley. The variety is the attraction here: nature, animals and plants as well as cultural beauties. You hike through small historic towns like Mühlheim and Fridingen, passing castles, chapels, a cave or a castle ruin. Eagle owls and lynx are native to the region. And alpine plants often grow in the rocks above the Danube.

The Swabian Alb is a perfect destination for hikers. It offers a wide variety of landscapes. On the Swabian Alb Ridge, which is up to 1000 meters high, you can enjoy breathtaking views. From there you can see as far as the Black Forest and the Alps. You will experience vast heaths with junipers. And orchards with peacefully grazing flocks of sheep. In the heart of the Swabian Alb, you can even hike in the UNESCO Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve, for example on the trails of the former military training area in Münsingen. There are a total of 90 certified trails in the Swabian Alb - including the two international Leading Quality Trails featured here.

On the route between stages 2 and 3, there is an unusual place to stay: a cozy shepherd's wagon on a meadow at the edge of the forest, in a place with a magnificent view. Would you like to spend the night here? This romantic place to sleep is operated by the Swabian Albtrauf Adventure Region at changing locations during the summer months. Hikers use it as a stopover. Locals and guests come here to enjoy a special evening with a view of the Drei Kaierberge Mountains between Göppingen and Lorch. The shepherd's wagon is made of wood, has small windows with shutters and a large bed. It has room for two - and an outside toilet.

In nearby Schlat, you can stock up on everything you need for a cozy evening: a snack and a bottle of Jörg Geiger's Fruit Prisecco for toasting. The plays of lights are in reverse order. The sky in the west turns yellow, then orange, then red. We watch in silence. The night takes its time.