Wettenberger Ried gives a stay in Hochdorf a clear focus on nature: a 2.5-kilometre Moor Trail leads through a 66-hectare raised bog. There is also a woodland walk with views across the Riß Valley, the Lindenweiher Nature Reserve and historical connections at various locations. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, consider what you would most like to focus on: a bog landscape and information boards, views and activity, or local history.
Wettenberger Ried: bog landscape and conservation
Wettenberger Ried lies on the upland between the Riß and Umlach valleys. The 66-hectare area is a raised bog that formed during the Riß glaciation: as the ice retreated, it left behind a hollow that retained water. The Ried contains the two nutrient-poor raised bog areas of Wettensee and Wasenmoos. The area is designated as a nature reserve and protected forest; it received nature reserve status in 1982. Measures to restore the raised bog through rewetting and water retention have been underway since 1997. If you are interested not only in the trail but also in the landscape, you can learn here both about its geological origins and the measures being taken to restore it.
Hiking and inline skating: routes with different highlights
The Moor Trail runs through Wettenberger Ried. It is 2.5 km long and includes information boards, a place to rest and a viewing platform beside a newly formed lake. For views across the Riß Valley, take the woodland walk to Michel-Stoi; there are several viewpoints along the way. You can also explore the Lindenweiher Nature Reserve on foot. The Riß Valley Cycle Route alongside the Ulm–Friedrichshafen railway and the paths to Lindenweiher are suitable for inline skating: they have few inclines and very little car traffic. As surface conditions can change, it is advisable to check the state of the paths before setting out. The routes have different highlights: the Moor Trail offers information boards and lake views, the path to Michel-Stoi offers valley views, and the area around Lindenweiher is best explored on foot.
Local history and church
The name Hochdorf was first documented in 805. In Unteressendorf, St. Martin’s has a Romanesque façade and was remodelled in the Baroque style in 1733/34. Visiting arrangements may vary; check the current options before your visit. Another biographical connection leads to Schweinhausen: Joannes Baptista Sproll, the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, was born and grew up there.
Getting there and finding your way
Hochdorf is part of the DING public transport network, which coordinates regional transport. Check timetables and tickets before travelling. Hochdorf lies in the Riß Valley alongside the Ulm–Friedrichshafen railway and the B 30; the nearest A7 is about 30 km away. These are useful landmarks for planning your journey by public transport or road.
Culture in the Biberach region
Biberach offers a complementary cultural experience: Biberach an der Riß is known as a well-preserved former Free Imperial City, shaped by its markets, towers and historic merchants’ houses. In the Biberach region, the Upper Swabian Museum Village of Kürnbach brings six centuries of history to life through more than 30 historic buildings, offering insights into everyday life in times gone by. These cultural attractions offer a different focus from Hochdorf’s natural surroundings and network of paths.
Discover more destinations: Maselheim, Kirchdorf An Der Iller, Dettingen An Der Iller, Uttenweiler, Ochsenhausen, Schemmerhofen, Moosburg, Kirchberg An Der Iller
For the main travel overview: Biberach.
