Mutlangen: Nature Trails and Contemporary History

Mutlangen combines exploring nature in Mutlanger Heide with a local history shaped by politics. In the 1980s, the town came to the attention of the world through peace movement protests against the deployment of Pershing II missiles. This brings together different themes for a stay: observing nature, following historical trails, and learning about the town’s history.

Discover Nature in Mutlanger Heide

The nature trail and nature discovery rally in the Mutlanger Heide wild plant park offer nine stations each where visitors can experience, observe, and understand nature. The nature trail is designed for children, young people, and families; a participation sheet invites visitors to join in. These activities make observing nature a shared theme for different age groups.

Another activity is the energy trail, with eight neuro-energetic exercises. They can be used during a walk or as a short break routine at home. The program therefore includes both exercises for when you are out and a way to incorporate them into everyday life at home.

History Along the Educational Trails

The Mutlanger Heide history trail explores how the heathland has been used over the past 2,000 years. Seven panels provide information about this long history. The trail begins on Rainhaldenweg, between Heideschule and Franziskusgymnasium, and ends at former ammunition bunkers. The historical use of the heathland and Mutlangen’s political history in the 1980s offer different perspectives on the town across time.

More Perspectives in the Ostalbkreis

The wider destination of Ostalbkreis includes other distinct cultural and nature-related themes. In the municipality of Rainau, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes runs through the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg, and Dalkingen for about six kilometers. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Particularly beautiful sections and significant individual monuments of the Limes have been preserved in a unique concentration at Limes Park Rainau. A reconstructed watchtower offers panoramic views across the Ostalb region.

Those interested in the Roman heritage and keen to explore on foot can follow a signposted circular Limes hiking trail near Rainau. It is about eleven kilometers long and takes approximately two and a half hours to walk. The route runs from the Limes wall and tower between Buch and Schwabsberg, through the Mahdholz forest, along the Limes to the southern edge of Schwabsberg.

Lorch Abbey offers another historical perspective. It was founded in 1102 by the first Hohenstaufen, Frederick I, and his wife Agnes of Waiblingen as a burial place. The complex includes a medieval church, the cloister, service buildings, and the Marsilius Tower, which offers views of the abbey complex, the herb garden, the sensory garden, and the surrounding area. The permanent exhibition explores 900 years of abbey history, including through the richly decorated Lorch choir books.

The circular Limes hiking trail near Rainau and Lorch Abbey represent distinct themes at other locations and can be considered as separate itinerary stops.

Discover More Destinations

Neresheim, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Heuchlingen, Kirchheim Am Ries, Bartholomä, Ellenberg, Gschwend, Ruppertshofen

Back to the main travel overview: Ostalbkreis.