Tuttlingen between the Danube, the Swabian Alb and culture

The Danube Valley, cliffs and heights of the Swabian Alb

In the northern part of the district are juniper heaths and the region of the 10-Tausender: ten mountains there rise above 1,000 metres. White limestone cliffs tower over the Danube Valley; the Danube Gorge is one of the district’s scenic highlights. The Höwenegg volcanic crater adds a different geological feature and is also among these highlights. Within the destination, open upland landscapes, striking cliffs and a volcanic crater offer distinct sights side by side.

The Mühlheim Rock Cave is another notable geological landmark: in October 2022, it became the first cave in the Swabian Alb to be designated a Geopoint by UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb. This distinction adds a specific point of interest to the landscape, without limiting the district’s nature experiences to a single place.

Hiking trails and a river that changes its appearance

The Danube Sinkhole between Immendingen, Möhringen, Tuttlingen and Fridingen can look different from one day to the next. Depending on water conditions, the Danube may carry plenty of water there, be completely dry in various places, or carry only a little water. When planning a visit, bear in mind that this natural phenomenon does not look the same every day.

Two similar-sounding names refer to different things: the Danube Sinkhole is the changing natural phenomenon; the “Donauversinkung” premium hiking trail, part of the DonauWellen network, runs between Tuttlingen-Möhringen and Immendingen. Another section of trail follows the final part of the Albsteig over Rußberg, Bettelmannskeller and Nonnenhöhle near Wurmlingen, leading directly to Tuttlingen. In the wider regional area, the DonauWellen network comprises six exceptional premium hiking trails in the Donaubergland.

For a stroll, the “Rock & Roll Tour” in Tuttlingen-Nendingen is one option: the route is two kilometres long, largely barrier-free and fully wheelchair-accessible. At Rabenfels in the Bäratal valley, the climbing areas between the “Mister Wendl” and “Gebrüderweg” routes are open from 1 August to 31 December. Check the current regulations before visiting. If you would like to include other kinds of activities, Arena Geisingen offers a 30,000-square-metre outdoor area with a road course, beer garden, slacklining, a beach volleyball court and other options; access may vary, so it is worth checking before making specific plans.

Museums and events as a cultural focus

The Neuhausen ob Eck Open-Air Museum features 25 historic buildings. They were dismantled at their original locations, moved to the museum and restored there to their original condition. The upper floors of the Künstlerhaus Scharf Eck in Fridingen house a museum dedicated to Hans Bucher, the painter of the Danube Valley; three floors showcase his life and work. The Museum Oberes Donautal in Ifflinger Castle has a different focus: alongside changing special exhibitions, it features permanent exhibitions on the town’s history and rule, archaeology, carnival traditions and more recent history.

In Tuttlingen, the annual Honberg Summer festival brings together the Honberg castle ruins and a festival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. The museum, festival and open-air museum offer different ways to experience history and culture.

Cycling and regional character

Mühlheim an der Donau lies directly on the International Danube Cycle Path. It runs all the way to the Danube’s mouth at the Black Sea and can also be ridden in short stages. This gives a trip a different structure from a stay focused mainly on individual hiking trails, cliffs or museums. Mühlheim an der Donau is also part of the Upper Danube Nature Park.

When choosing a destination and accommodation, it is therefore worth deciding first what pace you want for your trip: should it focus on individual natural sights, a cycling stage, a hiking trail or several cultural stops? Then base your search on the places that matter to your plans. This keeps your choices focused on specific experiences, rather than reducing the district to a single landscape or cultural theme.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Durchhausen, Böttingen, Geisingen, Spaichingen, Rietheim-Weilheim, Wehingen, Tuttlingen, Fridingen an der Donau, Hausen, Emmingen, Möhringen, Nendingen, Mahlstetten, Talheim, Mühlheim an der Donau, Schura, Aldingen, Trossingen, Dürbheim, Denkingen, Bärenthal, Buchheim, Seitingen-Oberflacht, Renquishausen, Reichenbach am Heuberg, Kolbingen, Königsheim, Irndorf, Immendingen, Gunningen, Gosheim, Balgheim, Egesheim, Frittlingen, Wurmlingen, Bubsheim, Neuhausen ob Eck and Deilingen.

Go to the main travel overview: Baden-Württemberg.