Hattenhofen: Trails, Views and Local History

Hattenhofen can be explored through a range of themes: the Romanesque origins of St. Giles’ Church, the Sauerbrunnen as the community’s healing spring, and trails that take in historic buildings, meadows and views. This gives you different starting points for planning your trip—from local history and landscapes to birds and traditional orchards. The specific places and trail descriptions can help you choose the focus that interests you most.

Church history and the Sauerbrunnen

St. Giles’ Church in Hattenhofen has Romanesque origins dating from around 1100 to 1150 AD. Its history therefore goes back to the High Middle Ages. The Sauerbrunnen offers a different focus: it is the community’s healing spring. It includes a Kneipp pool and a barefoot path.

If you are interested in the character of the town, you can consider these two features side by side: the long history of a church building and the importance of the Sauerbrunnen to the community. The themes are quite different, but both are concrete ways to get to know Hattenhofen better.

Trails with different perspectives

The Eichhörnchen (Squirrel) Trail passes historic buildings and offers panoramic views of the Albtrauf, the Three Kaiser Mountains and the Schurwald. The Steinkauz (Little Owl) Trail focuses on meadows and views across the Albtrauf. Comparing the two can help if you would rather choose a trail based on historic buildings or on meadows and scenic views.

The “Albtraufgucker” hiking trail offers another theme: it features the Bird Protection Information Trail, an educational trail about the distinctive birds of the traditional orchards in the foothills of the Swabian Alb. Landscape, traditional orchards and birdlife are all central here. From the Lindele, you can see all of Hattenhofen—a distinct perspective on the town, whatever trail theme you choose.

More options in the wider Göppingen destination

The wider Göppingen destination offers additional, independent options for hiking and cycling. The Löwenpfade (Lion Trails) in Göppingen district are appealing circular hiking routes between 3 and 24 kilometres long. They can be walked in either direction and are signposted and marked both ways. At every starting point, an information board provides details about the route, an elevation profile and sights along the way. This lets you factor the route lengths and the information for each trail into your planning.

For a different kind of tour, there are the Löwentrails: in Göppingen district, these comprise four circular mountain-bike routes between 16 and 30 kilometres long. They are particularly suitable for beginners and e-mountain bikers. The “Albtäler” cycle route offers yet another option: it is 186 kilometres long and runs through Göppingen district as well as the neighbouring districts of Heidenheim and Alb-Donau. As a quality cycling route through the most beautiful valleys of the Swabian Alb, it has been awarded four stars by the German Cyclists’ Federation.

Culture can also be part of a visit to the wider area. The Märklineum presents Märklin’s more than 165-year company history and its products. Wäscher Castle in Wäschenbeuren dates back to the early 13th century. These destinations complement Hattenhofen’s local attractions with further themes in the wider Göppingen destination; they are independent regional suggestions.

Choose the right focus for your trip

The local trail descriptions offer different highlights, while the regional hiking and cycling routes add specific distances and their own themes.

Discover more destinations: Schlat, Rechberghausen, Wäschenbeuren, Süßen, Börtlingen, Gruibingen, Adelberg, Geislingen an der Steige.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Göppingen.