Ugental and Schoss Hellenstein

As the gravel path descends to the valley road, we turn left and then immediately right. We pass a pond (2) and keep right at the next fork. Shortly afterwards we come to a T-junction. We turn first to the right, then to the left. Continue along the edge of the forest for a while before you reach the valley road, which leads you through the beautiful Ugen valley on the left. Climb up the embankment, down the other side and pass the Ugental hut (3) (507 m). Afterwards, walk a little further through the valley and turn off at the third junction on the left side of the road. Go through the forest again and follow the main path in the direction of the south. After a short while you cross a meadow and continue along the edge of the forest. A little later you come to another fork. We continue the tour here to the left, hike again across the meadow and dive back into the forest. After a while we come to a T-junction, where we keep left. The path bends to the right after a few metres and then divides. We now take the left variant, cross the road between Mergelstetten and Buchhof and then turn right. At the edge of Mergelstetten, keep left. As soon as the path curves to the left, we turn right. From Hallerweg, turn right into Heilbronner Stra&szlig and Mergelstetter Reute. Follow this road to the left until you reach the Albstadion (4). Here we turn left and come back to the Naturtheater Heidenheim. We now recommend a short detour to Hellenstein Castle (5, TopTipp). The origins of this fortress high above Heidenheim on the Brenz go back to the 11th century. In the 16th century, the castle burnt down and was rebuilt. Today, only ruins and a staircase tower rebuilt in the 19th century bear witness to the actual Hellenstein Castle. The carriage museum and the so-called Kindlesbrunnen fountain are worth seeing.