Waldhausen lies on the Härtsfeld on the eastern edge of the Swabian Alb, at an elevation of 610 metres. A stay here combines scenic landscapes and local history with plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling and exploring. When looking for a holiday apartment, consider whether your trip will focus primarily on a hike, the Dellenhäule nature reserve, St. Nicholas Parish Church or an event.
Circular Hiking Trail and Routes for Every Season
Circular Route 2 leads from Neubau via Hohenberg and Waldhausen back to Neubau. The route is about 6.5 kilometres long and suitable for pushchairs. Along the way, it also passes a water tower, which offers views across the Härtsfeld. This circular route combines a clearly described sequence of trails with a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Cycling routes have also been developed in Waldhausen for leisure activities. In winter, groomed cross-country ski trails are available around the village. There are therefore various ways to enjoy the outdoors; if you are planning your trip around the trails, it is best to check conditions for your planned dates.
Dellenhäule and the Landscape near Beuren
The Dellenhäule nature reserve is located near Aalen-Waldhausen on the Härtsfeld and covers a good 24 hectares. It protects a variety of endangered animal species. Another special feature is the more than 10,000 anthills in the area, which grow up to 50 centimetres high.
A grass track leads from the hiking car park south of Beuren through the oak wood pasture and then across the juniper heath in the Dellenhäule nature reserve. The route through the wood pasture and heath offers a distinctive way to explore the area's landscape. The Schwäbischer Albverein's own hut is also located on the Gänsberg near Beuren. Its annual garden festival has become a tradition; if you are planning a trip for the occasion, it is worth checking the event dates.
St. Nicholas Church: Building History and Figures
St. Nicholas Parish Church was first mentioned in 1239. This is separate from the construction period of the Catholic parish church in the High Baroque style: it was built between 1699 and 1716. These two dates offer different insights into the history of the village and its distinctive church building.
The church's furnishings also offer a detail of their own: the gallery parapet is decorated with ten large statues of saints. They are ten of the so-called Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints from the first four centuries of Christianity. In this way, the building's history and the figures combine architectural history with a specific religious depiction.
Events and Local Hospitality
The Waldhausen Music Association holds an annual three-day Oktoberfest with a theatre evening at the community hall in Aalen-Waldhausen. Together with the traditional garden festival near Beuren, these events offer a glimpse of different occasions throughout the year. It is best to check the event dates before planning your trip.
Local restaurants are also part of getting your bearings: they offer visitors both traditional and upmarket hospitality. When planning your day, you can therefore include a meal out alongside outdoor activities and cultural attractions.
Aalen as a Separate Destination in the Region
The wider destination of Aalen offers additional attractions specifically located there. Aalen's Old Town combines traditional half-timbered houses and modern new buildings with winding lanes and inviting squares. The explorhino Science Center features a 1,200-square-metre exhibition with more than 120 interactive experiment stations for visitors to discover, touch and explore for themselves.
For an insight into mining history, Aalen offers the Tiefer Stollen visitor mine, where visitors travel into the mountain by mine train. A tour through the extensive tunnels and shafts, along with a multimedia show about ore mining and iron processing, illustrates the development of mining in the region. The mining trail on the Braunenberg features three themed routes that can be combined. If you would like to include these attractions, check the current visitor information for each one.
Discover more destinations: Heuchlingen, Jagstzell, Stödtlen, Hüttlingen, Lauchheim, Waldstetten, Eschach, Ruppertshofen
For the wider travel overview: Ostalbkreis.
