Ellwangen (Jagst) combines historic sites with trails leading into the surrounding countryside. Ellwangen Castle, museums, the Kalter Markt festival and the Ellwanger Schlossweiher nature reserve each offer something different. When planning your stay, it helps to decide what you’re looking for: a guided tour and exhibitions, a hike to notable destinations, or a longer route through the lake district. Travelling by train or car may also influence your choice of location.
Castle, Churches and the Kalter Markt
Ellwangen Castle and Schönenberg Church together form a landmark that can be seen from far away. The castle’s courtyard stands out for its elegant Renaissance arcades. Schönenberg Church is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. The 90-minute “In the Footsteps of the Prince-Provosts” tour offers a guided perspective on the town centre: it takes in St. Vitus Basilica, the Protestant town church and the market square with its Baroque residences of the canons. If you’d like to plan your stay around this tour, check the dates in advance.
The Kalter Markt is one of southern Germany’s oldest traditional horse markets and Ellwangen’s oldest festival. It includes a procession through the historic town centre, featuring more than 300 horses and carriages. This makes for a different kind of trip than a museum or hiking day. If you’re planning to visit for the Kalter Markt, check the event dates before making your plans.
Two Museums, Different Focuses
Using significant archaeological finds, the Alamannen Museum provides an overview of five centuries of Alemannic settlement, from the 3rd to the 8th century AD. Life-size displays, interactive media with screens and moving images, and numerous hands-on exhibits complement the overview. The Castle Museum focuses on more than 1,250 years of Ellwangen’s culture and history and that of its surroundings. It presents permanent and special exhibitions, including faience and porcelain from the Schrezheim manufactory, founded in 1752 by Prince-Provost Franz Georg von Schönborn. The archaeological finds and Alemannic settlement are thus set against a broad cultural and historical perspective and selected examples of craftsmanship.
Hiking and Cycling Around Ellwangen
You can choose a hiking trail based on its length and the destinations described. Hiking Route 3 is 8 kilometres long and leads to the heights above Ellwangen, Schönenberg pilgrimage church and the “Schlossweiher” natural monument. Route 2 covers 12 kilometres and passes natural beauty spots and cultural monuments in and around Ellwangen. In terms of distance, Route 3 is shorter; the descriptions also highlight different destinations. The Ellwangen lake district has seven selected circular hikes through wooded valleys, with views from the heights and lakes.
For a longer cycling route, the 42-kilometre Ellwangen Limes circular cycle route starts at Ellwanger SchieĂźwasen. It runs through the Jagst Valley and across the Limes and the hilly lake district before returning to Ellwangen. The Upper German-Raetian Limes also crosses the Ellwangen municipal area for a length of 11 kilometres. Check local conditions before setting out on a hike or cycle ride.
Nature Reserve and Getting There
The Ellwanger Schlossweiher nature reserve covers 63 hectares and provides a habitat for many animal and plant species. It includes the Schlossweiher ponds and the surrounding orchards; the rare shining water lily can also be found there. The “Out and About in the Nature Reserve” app offers two interactive tours: an audio tour with information and sounds, and a quiz tour about the plant and animal inhabitants. Check whether the app is available before your trip.
Ellwangen is an InterCity station on the Karlsruhe–Stuttgart–Nuremberg route and a stop on the Ulm–Frankfurt route. The town centre is a few minutes’ walk from the main station; check current connections before travelling. By car, Ellwangen is right on the A 7 and has its own junction. From there, the town centre is 10 minutes away. Road conditions and signage may change, so it’s worth checking the current route before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Abtsgmünd, Aalen, Schechingen, Göggingen, Neresheim, Westhausen, Tannhausen, Waldhausen.
For the broader travel overview: Ostalbkreis.
