Discover Trochtelfingen: History and Hiking Trails

Trochtelfingen combines historic buildings with hikes on the Swabian Alb: St. Martin’s Church, towers and chapels tell the story of different construction periods, while circular hikes range from an easy 4.1-kilometre route to just under 16 kilometres. There is also a tour about making pasta and spaetzle at ALB-GOLD, as well as Lauchertsee lake with its barbecue area and playground. When choosing your accommodation, you can consider whether you are mainly looking for culture, outdoor activities or a mix of both.

Architectural history and distinctive towers

Different construction phases can be seen in individual parts of the Catholic parish church of St. Martin: the tower includes sections from the 12th and 15th centuries, the rectangular choir dates from after 1322, and the nave was built around 1450. The choir is the area around the altar; the nave is the main part of the church. Together, these features create a layered picture rather than pointing to a single construction date for the church.

Historic towers also shape the townscape beyond the church. The Powder Tower is a small, preserved round tower on the western side of Trochtelfingen. The High Tower is one of the buildings that define the townscape and can be seen behind the town wall. The permanent exhibition at the Museum in the High Tower features original documents, objects, images and photographs. The museum is generally open twice a month, from 2 to 5 p.m.; admission is free. Check the current opening hours before your visit.

The castle of the Counts of Werdenberg was probably built between 1488 and 1497. Another stop for culture enthusiasts is Hennenstein Chapel, also known as Hünenstein Chapel. Some of its frescoes survive only in fragments; a preserved hermitage is also part of the chapel. It is located near the Trochtelfingen ski lift.

Choose hiking routes by length and landscape

If you are looking for a short hike explicitly rated as easy, the Augstberg Circular Trail is a good choice: it is 4.1 kilometres long and takes around 1.5 hours. The longer routes offer different highlights. The Lauchertsee–Hausen Circular Trail is just over 8 kilometres long; in good weather, the view extends as far as the Swiss Alps. The Lauchertsee–Neuban Circular Trail is just under 8 kilometres long. It crosses the plateau of Mägerkingen’s local mountain, bordered by juniper heaths protected under nature conservation regulations.

At just under 16 kilometres, the Kuppenalb Circular Trail is considerably longer. It combines Trochtelfingen’s half-timbered charm with views from Augstberg and nature at Neuban. The Städtles Circular Trail offers a different landscape: outside the historic town centre, it passes meadows and fields and goes through the forest. The routes therefore differ not only in length but also in the landscapes highlighted in their descriptions.

Discovery, outdoor activities and time at Lauchertsee

At the ALB-GOLD Visitor Centre, an informative guided tour explains how pasta and spaetzle are made. Visitors can sample pasta and spaetzle and buy selected products on site. The Visitor Centre is also a starting point for hiking and cycling tours. Trochtelfingen is also on the Albtrauf mountain bike trail.

Lauchertsee lake has a barbecue area and a playground. Swimming in the lake is not permitted. This means there is both a place to enjoy the outdoors and a clear restriction on how the lake can be used: the playground and barbecue area are part of what is available at the lake, but swimming is not.

Planning information

Hohenzollerische Landesbahn line 400 runs in the direction of Gammertingen and Reutlingen. Check the specific route and timetable before travelling. It is also a good idea to check the current opening hours when planning a visit to the museum.

Discover more destinations: Römerstein, Bad Urach, Eningen Unter Achalm, Sankt Johann, Zwiefalten, Hayingen, Lichtenstein, Dettingen An Der Erms.

For the broader travel overview: Reutlingen.