recommended route
Löwenpfad "Messelberg-Tour" - Hiking with impressive views
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Photo: Tobias Fröhner, Landkreis Göppingen
Donzdorf ‘s Löwenpfad trail "Messelberg-Tour“ is one of the shorter Löwenpfad trails with just under eight kilometres and leads almost entirely on narrow paths along the Albtrauf. Fabulous views of the valley open up over and over again - especially from the two impressive rock formations on the Messelstein and Rötelstein. At the end of the tour, a trip to the picturesque castle in Donzdorf is worthwhile.
Our certified quality Löwenpfad hiking trails take you through our beautiful Swabian landscapes with delightful panoramic views, fascinating nature, and mysterious places. With its sixteen loop trails with distances varying between 3 and 24 kilometres it provides routes for everyone.
The Löwenpfad trail "Messelberg-Tour" in Donzdorf is a hiking loop trail certified by the German Hiking Association. The 7.7-kilometre hike begins at the Messelberg hiking car park and leads through natural forests, past colourful flower meadows with fascinating panoramic views. Characteristic of the Swabian Alb is the deposition of the White Jura as a remnant of the Jurassic Sea. With a bit of luck you can find fossils of ammonites along the way. A long pathway leads along the edge of the eaves through a primeval forest landscape that has hardly been influenced by forestry.
This part of the trail is made special by fallen trees and a diverse soil flora. The trail contains ascents and descents who require fitness and stamina, but your efforts will be rewarded with an amazing view. The white jura rock of Messelstein is the most central observation point of the trail which can be seen from afar. Hikers will be at a height of 748 metres above sea level and can let their gaze wander far into the region. The Rötelstein offers a similarly fascinating view. The tour ends back at the Messelberg car park. There are places to stop for refreshments in the Fliegerheim on the Messelberg or in the clubhouse of the Schützengesellschaft (marksmen’s club).
For further information please follow the link: www.loewenpfade.de
Author’s recommendation
Messelstein
The Messelstein on the edge of the Albtrauf is a bare rock that protrudes from the wooded Messelberg and is visible from afar. From there you have a magnificent view far beyond the Lauter and Filstal valleys and the three emperor mountains Hohenstaufen, Rechberg and Stuifen. When visibility is good, the Stuttgart TV tower can be seen in the distance. If you hike further south-east in the direction of Messelhof, you can see as far as the Alps in good weather.
Rötelstein
The Rötelstein is a few hundred meters away from the Messelstein. A second wonderful vantage point with a panoramic view of the Fils valley to the Hohenstein, the Maierhalde and the castle ruins of Scharfenberg in Donzdorf. The launch ramp of the Staufen e.V. hang-gliding and paragliding club is in the immediate vicinity.
Track types
Rest stops
Fliegerhütte DonzdorfNaturfreundehaus Immenreute
Waldschenke
Schützenhaus Donzdorf
Lindenhof
Delizie
Hotel und Restaurant Becher
Schloss Donzdorf
Ristorante Da Raffaele
Eiscafé im alten Bahnhof
Piccola
Gumpen da Toni
Villadoro Da Nico
Tips and hints
Respectful cooperation in the district of Göppingen
Code of Conduct:
- Please respect path-blockings and quiet zones.
- Please do not leave any rubbish, animal excrements, … e.g.
- Please act foresightful and considerate. Adapt your behaviour to the current situation. Safety comes first.
- Please respect other hikers.
- Please be considerate of animals and nature
- Please plan your trips ahead. Plan your trips during daytime and try to avoid dawn and dusk.
- Please consider entry bans of agricultural areas during vegetation period.
- Please stay on marked paths and avoid forest borders so wildlife can get used to humans.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The 7.7-kilometre hike begins at the Messelberg hiking car park and leads through natural forests, past colourful flower meadows with fascinating panoramic views. Characteristic of the Swabian Alb is the deposition of the White Jura as a remnant of the Jurassic Sea. With a bit of luck you can find fossils of ammonites along the way. A long pathway leads along the edge of the eaves through a primeval forest landscape that has hardly been influenced by forestry.
This part of the trail is made special by fallen trees and a diverse soil flora. The trail contains ascents and descents who require fitness and stamina, but your efforts will be rewarded with an amazing view. The white jura rock of Messelstein is the most central observation point of the trail which can be seen from afar. Hikers will be at a height of 748 metres above sea level and can let their gaze wander far into the region. The Rötelstein offers a similarly fascinating view. The tour ends back at the Messelberg car park. There are places to stop for refreshments in the Fliegerheim on the Messelberg or in the clubhouse of the Schützengesellschaft (Schützenhaus).
Note
Public transport
Take the RE 5 or MEX 16 from Stuttgart or Ulm to Göppingen station. From there you can take line 972 to Donzdorf and get off at the "Stadthalle" stop. Coming from Stuttgart or Ulm, you can also take the MEX 16 to Süßen. From there you can take lines 970, 971 or 972 to Donzdorf and get off at the "Stadthalle" stop. It takes about 15-30 minutes to get to the starting point of the tour.You can find the district timetable at: www.vvs.de/fahrplan
Getting there
Coming from Stuttgart or Ulm on the B10 to Süßen, from there on the B466 to Donzdorf.From the A8 exit Mühlhausen im Täle, then B466 to Donzdorf.
Navigation to the starting point with Google Maps
Parking
Parking is available at the hiking car park "Messelstein" on the Alb plateau.Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Non-slip footwear is recommended.
Statistics
- 24 Waypoints
- 24 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Rating
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