Discover Amstetten

Amstetten combines a distinctive local history with a special railway heritage: the Evangelical St. Lawrence Church is a landmark visible from afar, and two branch lines diverge from the station. There is also a museum in the district of Schalkstetten and a hiking route through the Lontal valley. If you are considering a stay in Amstetten, you can first decide whether local history, hiking, or historic train rides should be your main focus.

A fortified church, village history, and a route through the Lontal valley

The Evangelical St. Lawrence Church is a landmark of Amstetten visible from afar. It was a fortified church; the oldest parts of its tower date to around the year 1000. This dating refers to the oldest parts of the tower, not to the entire building. At the same time, the church’s former defensive function and its Evangelical character represent different aspects of its history.

In the district of Schalkstetten, a museum displays machines and tools from the early mechanization of agriculture. It was established by the Association for the Preservation of Rural Customs and also offers a glimpse of rural life at the time. Its focus is thus on a period of change in everyday farming life. The museum offers a different perspective on local history from the St. Lawrence Church: here, agricultural equipment and changes in how it was used take center stage.

A hiking route runs through the Lontal, the valley of the Urlone, to Türkheim and back to Amstetten via Amstetten-Dorf. There is a place to stop for refreshments in Amstetten-Dorf. You can use the places mentioned to orient yourself along the route; the stop also provides an opportunity to take a break.

Railway lines with a past and a present

Two branch lines diverge from Amstetten station: one goes to Gerstetten, while the other runs to Oppingen as a narrow-gauge railway. This line used to continue to Laichingen. Regular rides on historic diesel railcars operate on the branch lines from Amstetten. When planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between the former route and the historic train rides: Laichingen was part of the former route, while the diesel railcar rides take place on the branch lines. Check the operator’s current timetable before travelling.

More cultural and natural highlights in the Alb-Donau district

The wider destination of the Alb-Donau district offers everything from archaeological sites to monastic complexes. The Hohle Fels cave near Schelklingen is a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the discovery site of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Vulture Bone Flute”; both finds are around 42,500 years old. The Stone Age village of Ehrenstein in Blaustein is a Neolithic settlement in the Blau valley and forms part of the transnational serial UNESCO World Heritage site “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.”

The history of monasteries can also be explored at various sites in the Alb-Donau district. The former Premonstratensian Abbey of Obermarchtal is located in the Alb-Donau district. Its monastic complex stands directly above the Danube and took on its present form between 1686 and 1795. Blaubeuren Monastery was founded as a Benedictine monastery in 1085; today, it consists mainly of Gothic buildings dating from 1466 to 1510. The Alb-Donau district is also part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve.

Hiking and cycling in the region

The 20 “Ice Age Trails” circular routes are 6 to 14 kilometres long and suitable for day hikes. There are also family-friendly “Ice Age Tracks” ranging from 1 to 6 kilometres, as well as the Contemplation Trail for multi-day hikes. These options differ in both length and character. Cycling options include the 75-kilometre “Ice Age Valleys” route, the 115-kilometre “Berg Bier Tour,” and the 186-kilometre “Albtäler” cycle route, which has a four-star rating. This means you can choose from day hikes, family-friendly trails, multi-day hikes, and cycling routes of varying lengths in the Alb-Donau district.

Discover more destinations

Lonsee, Blaustein, Ehingen, Nellingen, Rammingen, Breitingen, Neenstetten, Öpfingen

Back to the main travel overview: Alb-Donau district.