Hayingen offers three distinct highlights for your trip: a boat ride in Wimsener Cave, hiking trails featuring varied landscapes, and history in the old town. The contrast is useful when planning: the focus in the cave is on the boat ride, the trails offer their own landscape highlights, and the Old Hospital draws attention to a specific chapter in the town’s history. This lets you plan your stay around your interests in nature, outdoor activities or culture.
Boat rides and hiking trails
Wimsener Cave is Germany’s only water cave that can be explored by boat. During the boat ride, the ferryman tells stories. This clearly distinguishes a visit to the cave from the hiking trails: here, the boat ride is the main attraction, while the routes can be chosen according to their respective paths.
The 9.2 km Premium Hiking Trail “hochgehschätzt” is the Hayingen–Glastal route. The trails authority may revise the published route length. Two published circular hiking routes also start in Hayingen: one goes via Maisenburg and offers the option of a detour to the castle ruins; the other passes through the “Digelfeld” juniper heath. “hochgehschätzt” lets you factor a stated distance into your choice; for the circular routes, the different landscapes and the possible detour to the ruins may be deciding factors. Check the current length of the premium trail before setting out, and check the conditions on the circular routes before your trip.
Old town and culture
The Old Hospital is one of the notable buildings in Hayingen’s old town. Schweikhard von Gundelfingen endowed the building in 1536.
From July 5 to August 30, 2026, the Hayingen Natural Theatre presented the family musical “Herz aus Stoi.” In 2026, the town festival was held in the town center for the 41st time.
More to explore in the wider Reutlingen destination
The wider Reutlingen destination offers a broader look at distinct cultural and natural attractions. In Zwiefalten, the Minster of Our Lady is the centerpiece of the historic monastery and pilgrimage town; it is one of the most significant examples of the late Baroque style as expressed in Germany. Concerts are held in the minster every year, with dates that vary.
Lichtenstein Castle was built from 1840 to 1842 on the foundations of an older knight’s castle. The Hochgehträumt circular hiking trail leads from the castle along impressive scenic cliffs directly to Nebel Cave. As of September 8, 2026, public transport does not run directly to Lichtenstein Castle. The nearest bus stops are in Unterhausen (Oberhausener Steige), Honau and Traifelberg; from there, you can hike to the castle. Check your connection before traveling, as public transport routes may change.
The Swabian Alb Biosphere Centre in MĂĽnsingen uses interactive displays and audio and video features to share information about the nature, landscape and people of the biosphere area. Fifteen routes in the hochgehberge hiking trail network run through the district of Reutlingen. The Old Castle in MĂĽnsingen houses the Town Museum in the Castle, which presents the history and culture of the MĂĽnsinger Alb.
Discover more destinations: Hohenstein, Zwiefalten, Grafenberg, Pfullingen, MĂĽnsingen, Dettingen an der Erms, Reutlingen, Eningen unter Achalm.
Back to the main travel overview: Reutlingen.
