Weilen unter den Rinnen: Chapel, Fasnet and Circular Route

Weilen unter den Rinnen offers several different starting points for a trip: what is believed to be the municipality’s oldest chapel, Weilen’s Fasnet carnival and a circular route that leads into the town center. You can get to know the place through its history and traditions, or focus on a specific hiking route.

A chapel, Fasnet and a route into the town center

The Ottilien Chapel near Weilen unter den Rinnen is believed to be the municipality’s oldest building. Even this cautious assessment makes it a special historical point of reference: its age is recorded not as a certainty, but as a well-founded supposition. Anyone interested in local history will find a concrete reason here to explore the town’s character, shaped over time.

Weilen’s Fasnet carnival provides a different focus. The Elferrat (council of eleven) of the Narrenzunft (fools’ guild) has officially organized it since 1947. Alongside the historic building, this is a locally rooted custom whose organization is associated with a specific date. The chapel and Fasnet offer two different perspectives on Weilen unter den Rinnen—one through its architectural heritage, the other through local tradition.

The Honau Circular Route 11 leads into the town center of Weilen unter den Rinnen. One section, about 100 meters long, has a gradient of 3 percent. These details provide a specific reference point for planning the hike without reducing the entire route to a single section. As route conditions can change, it is advisable to check them again before setting out.

The area also has a clear connection to the surrounding landscape: Weilen unter den Rinnen is part of the Upper Danube Nature Park. The nature park adds a protected-area dimension to the chapel, Fasnet and town center, without requiring an additional local excursion destination.

Culture and nature in the wider Zollernalbkreis destination

The wider Zollernalbkreis destination offers a range of cultural attractions, including Hohenzollern Castle. The present-day castle is the third fortress on Mount Zoller, belongs to the municipality of Bisingen and is located within the boundaries of the district of Zimmern. After its two predecessors were destroyed and fell into ruin, the present castle was rebuilt between 1850 and 1867. Today, it welcomes visitors daily and offers a glimpse into its historic rooms. Its cultural program includes numerous concerts, family days, open-air cinema and exhibitions. Check current opening times before your visit.

The Zollernalb region lies in the western part of the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark, where the mountains reach their greatest heights. The region’s notable geological natural features include the Zillhausen Waterfall and the sea of rocks below the Hörnle. Another natural and geological attraction with a different focus is the geological nature trail on Westerberg above Nusplingen, which ends at a rock-chipping site.

Hiking options also vary in scale and theme. The 33-kilometer Schlichem Hiking Trail runs from Meßstetten-Tieringen to Epfendorf through a landscape of small waterfalls, wet meadows and a steep-sided gorge. The Zollernalb’s fourteen premium trails are spread across eleven routes in Albstadt and three in Meßstetten; there are also more than 100 signposted circular hiking trails. These figures may change as the trail network develops. For shorter or differently themed excursions, Albguide tours offer insights into wildlife and plant life, history, prehistory, archaeology and geology. Booking an Albguide tour is recommended.

For families, the Zollernalb region offers leisurely cycling tours in the Alb foothills, for example at the Schömberg Reservoir. The “Hiking Like Everyone Else” program presents a variety of tours that are also suitable for people with disabilities. At Lochen, you can hike with a donkey. These examples cater to different interests; they do not replace checking whether a particular tour suits your own needs.

Accommodation and regional planning

When looking for accommodation in Weilen unter den Rinnen, you can first consider whether you want the town itself—with its chapel, Fasnet and circular route—to be the focus of your trip, or whether you also plan to visit destinations elsewhere in the wider Zollernalbkreis. In the latter case, the locations mentioned and your specific itinerary can help you choose a suitable base. During the 2026 leisure travel season, the Schieferbahn runs directly from Balingen to Dotternhausen and Schömberg, with no changes; the season lasts until October 18. Also during the 2026 leisure travel season, the Nauf-Nab-Trauf bus connects Hechingen with Nägelehaus in Albstadt-Onstmettingen. If these connections are important to your plans, check the timetables before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Obernheim, Winterlingen, Geislingen, Zimmern unter der Burg, Laufen, Jungingen, Haigerloch, Nusplingen.

Go to the wider travel overview: Zollernalbkreis.