Explore Asperg through two distinctive themes: Hohenasperg and the Celtic monuments linked by the Celtic Trail. Views, archaeological history, and a cycling and hiking trail offer different ways to shape your stay. You can divide your time according to your interests rather than trying to fit everything into a single itinerary.
Hohenasperg: Views and history
Hohenasperg lies north of Asperg, stands 356 m high, and rises about 90 m above the town. From the hill, you can enjoy panoramic views across the central Neckar region. Its history of use is also part of the story: Hohenasperg has been a protected nature reserve since 1938; gypsum mining there ended after a landslide on the northern slope.
The Hohenasperg Museum, housed in a former arsenal building within the fortress, presents the history of Hohenasperg and its prisoners. Original objects and documents feature in the exhibition. For an overview of the fortress, the Historical Circular Route passes accessible buildings and facilities. Information boards explain their history, significance, and use.
The Celtic Trail and archaeological sites
The Celtic Trail is about 30 km long. This cycling and hiking route passes through Asperg and other towns and connects nine Celtic monuments. The Lion Gate on Hohenasperg is its starting or ending point. As a cycling route, it can also be ridden as a circuit of about 55 km. The two distances help distinguish the shorter trail from the longer cycling option.
One archaeological highlight is Kleinaspergle, a Celtic burial mound in the Hohenasperg area. A richly furnished princely tomb, dated to around 420 BC, was found in a side chamber. The Celtic Trail AR app adds a digital journey into the world of the Celts, offering new perspectives on burial monuments and archaeological excavations. It also lets you take part together in Celtic burial rituals and experience the former princely seat on Hohenasperg.
Guided tours, wine, and the outdoor pool
If you would like to learn about the history of the hill in context, consider the classic guided tour. It covers the site's development from a Celtic princely seat to a castle of the high nobility, a state fortress, and a state prison, and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. If you plan to take the tour, arrange the date and booking with the guide.
“Vineyards, Delusion and Women’s Wine Feast” offers a different perspective: a wine and history experience tour on Hohenasperg. It combines a walk through the steep vineyard slopes with a winemaker’s snack platter. The date and booking are arranged with the guide. This tour lets you choose a shared focus on wine country and history.
Asperg’s outdoor pool at the foot of Hohenasperg has a non-swimmer pool with an 84 m slide, a wild-water channel, and a bubble pool, as well as a large swimming pool with diving facilities. As opening times may vary by season, check the latest hours before your visit.
The wider area: Ludwigsburg
The wider destination of Ludwigsburg offers additional cultural and landscape highlights. Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of Europe’s largest Baroque buildings preserved in its original form. The landscape of Ludwigsburg district is also shaped by terraced, steep vineyards along the Neckar and Enz rivers.
Discover more destinations: Tamm, Ludwigsburg, Erligheim, Ingersheim, Löchgau, Freudental, Gemmrigheim, Sachsenheim
Back to the main travel overview: Ludwigsburg.
