Lenningen combines well-marked hiking trails with karst formations, moorland and historic architecture. Highlights range from stalactite formations and moorland flora to Neoclassical and late medieval buildings; in winter, snow-dependent activities and winter hiking trails are also available.

Hiking and Winter Activities

Lenningen has a wide variety of well-marked hiking trails. The landscape is characterized by stalactite caves, climbing and scenic rocks, castle ruins and a raised bog. Those particularly interested in rocks and caves can focus on different natural features than visitors whose main interest is moorland flora.

In winter, Schopfloch offers groomed ski slopes, drag lifts and prepared cross-country ski trails. Availability and trail preparation depend on seasonal snow conditions. On the Schopflocher Alb, cleared winter hiking trails include routes from Pfulb to Bahnhöfle and from the parking area by the Gutenberger Höhlen towards Ochsenwang. In the event of persistent snowfall, trail clearance is not guaranteed. Before setting out, check whether your chosen trail has been cleared.

Karst Cave, Moor and Cycle Path

The Gutenberger Höhle is a karst cave with attractive stalactite formations. It is around 200 meters long and consists of six chambers. The length and number of chambers provide different points of reference: the length indicates its extent, while the number of chambers describes its internal layout.

The Schopflocher Torfmoor is a peat bog with moorland flora on the karstified, permeable Swabian Alb. The cave and the bog represent different natural features: karst and stalactite formations in one, moorland flora and the permeable geology of the Alb in the other.

The cycle path from Brucken to Gutenberg is considered suitable for wheelchairs and handcycles; it is possible to return by train from Oberlenningen. Alongside the hiking trails, this provides a cycling option with the possibility of returning by train.

Church, Schlössle and Gutenberg Castle

The church in Schopfloch is a Neoclassical hall church dating from 1782, with galleries on three sides. The Schlössle was built between 1593 and 1596 by the Schilling von Cannstatt family and is considered a characteristic late medieval local noble residence. The house museum in the Schlössle displays chance finds discovered during the renovation of the Renaissance building, which was then 400 years old.

Gutenberg Castle was first mentioned as property of the Dukes of Teck in 1285. The dates refer to different things for each building: for the castle, the date is its first mention; for the Schlössle, its construction period; and for the church, its year of construction.

In the wider Esslingen travel destination

The Esslingen district is one of the ten districts in the Swabian Alb Geopark. The Urwelt-Museum Hauff in Holzmaden displays fossils from the Posidonia Shale and is located in the heart of the Holzmaden fossil site. With around 1,000 square meters of exhibition space, it is one of Germany’s largest private natural history museums. The Römerpark Köngen is also part of the wider Esslingen travel destination; it consists of a museum building and an open-air site.

Discover more destinations: Neuffen, Filderstadt, Esslingen, Ohmden, Neuhausen Auf Den Fildern, Deizisau, Bissingen An Der Teck, Altbach

Back to the main travel overview: Esslingen.