Westhausen lies in the valley of the young Jagst River on the edge of the Swabian Alb escarpment. For your plans, you can choose from the well-signposted Agnesburg–Wöllerstein–Schlössle loop, a challenging forest hike and direct access to the Kocher-Jagst Cycle Path. There are also traces of former castles, a bird habitat and an annual tradition. This gives you the chance to weigh up nature, activity and culture as different focuses for your stay.

Hiking and Historical Traces

The well-signposted Agnesburg–Wöllerstein–Schlössle loop takes about two to three hours. If you are looking for a more challenging hike, consider the route to Wöllerstein: it runs through the forest and is demanding; the ground at the summit is mostly rocky. At 723 metres, Wöllerstein is the highest point in the municipality of Westhausen. There is also a summit cross.

There are benches and a table on the Agnesburg plateau where you can take a break. Eselssteige is an old hollow way leading towards Agnesburg. The surrounding rampart and moat are clearly visible at the former Agnesburg castle site. The former Schlössle castle site was first mentioned in a document in 1240. These places offer different points of interest for anyone who would also like to explore historical traces on a hike.

Cycling and Landscapes

Westhausen is directly on the Kocher-Jagst Cycle Path. At the Westhausen sports and event hall, there is a ChargerCube with up to ten covered bicycle parking spaces and eight charging points for standard pedelec and e-bike batteries. If you rely on charging facilities, check the latest infrastructure information in advance.

There is a pump track for bicycles, skateboards, scooters and inline skates near Wöllerstein Hall. The adjacent Bucher Stausee recreation area offers a variety of leisure activities and places to relax. The Stockmühle reservoir near Westhausen-Lippach is designated as a nature reserve and serves as a bird habitat. The landscape can therefore be experienced from different perspectives: by bike, on a hike or with an interest in protected natural areas.

Tradition and Culture

The traditional New Year’s Eve ride takes place every year on 31 December; the tradition dates back to 1626. The specific event schedule may vary. If you are planning your trip specifically around this date, check the latest details in advance.

Kapfenburg Castle is a nearby cultural centre with an international music academy. It adds a distinct cultural point of interest to the historical sites and hiking destinations.

A Regional Perspective on the Ostalbkreis

In the wider destination of the Ostalbkreis, the Limes offers a distinct regional focus. The Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes runs through the municipality of Rainau, in the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen, for about six kilometres. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The Ostalbkreis is also associated with the UNESCO Global Geopark.

The signposted Limes circular hiking trail near Rainau is about eleven kilometres long and takes approximately two and a half hours on foot. It runs from the Limes wall and Limes tower between Buch and Schwabsberg through the Mahdholz forest along the Limes to the southern edge of Schwabsberg. The estimated walking times are similar: about two and a half hours for the Rainau trail and around two to three hours for the Westhausen Agnesburg–Wöllerstein–Schlössle loop. The Rainau trail also covers about eleven kilometres. Ostalbkreis cuisine includes Maultaschen, Käsespätzle and regional beers.

Discover more destinations: Lauchheim, Böbingen An Der Rems, Rosenberg, Heuchlingen, Ruppertshofen, Hüttlingen, Oberkochen, Göggingen

For the broader travel overview: Ostalbkreis.