A town hall built in 1744 as a farm and inn, and a stud farm that gave St. Johann its name, tell different sides of the municipality’s story. Also on offer are views across the St. Johann area, routes for cycling and hiking, village stories and seasonal winter sports in Upfingen. St. Johann is in the district of Reutlingen in Baden-Württemberg.
Landscape and routes
The wide dry valleys, karst rock and springs along the Albtrauf escarpment shape the landscape. Rainwater seeps into the karst; numerous springs lie along the Albtrauf. Horse pastures and valleys are also part of the landscape, including meadows associated with Marbach State Stud and the Fohlenhof stud farm.
From the Hohe Warte observation tower, the view stretches across the St. Johann area; on clear days, it reaches past Reutlingen to the Black Forest. St. Johann is one of the stud farm locations on the Stud Farm Cycle Route, which can be ridden in full or in individual sections. Information boards and themed panels along the route provide information about stud farms and other features. Gächingen is a starting point for cycling tours. For hiking, St. Johann has prepared three routes together with the GPS service SPHÄRE. Before setting out, check the latest route information, GPS data and signage.
Villages and cultural heritage
The town hall in Würtingen is a half-timbered building constructed in 1744 as a farm and inn. St. Andrew’s Church in the same village houses valuable ceiling and wall paintings.
The St. Johann stud farm is an estate and an outpost of Marbach State Stud; it gave St. Johann its name. The stud farm complex includes a horse fountain, the forester’s house and a forest nature trail. Access to individual facilities may change; check before visiting.
Village bakehouses are a distinctive feature of the streetscapes. Lonsingen has a restored bakehouse and the historic Roßbrunnen draw well. In Bleichstetten, the local history room and historic bakehouse offer insights into Swabian Jura culture and local customs. The late Gothic fortified church of St. George is Gächingen’s landmark. Upfingen’s St. Mary’s Church houses the Hagemann organ, installed in 1777 and largely preserved in its original condition.
Winter in Upfingen
Upfingen has a floodlit ski lift and a cross-country ski trail. Check in advance whether seasonal operations match your travel dates.
In the wider Reutlingen destination
The Minster of Our Lady stands at the heart of the former monastery and pilgrimage town of Zwiefalten and is one of the most significant examples of German late Baroque architecture. Minster concerts are held there every year; dates vary. Lichtenstein Castle was built from 1840 to 1842 on the foundations of an older knight’s castle. From the castle, the Hochgehträumt circular hiking trail follows the scenic cliffs straight to Nebelhöhle cave.
Discover more destinations: Lichtenstein, Riederich, Römerstein, Hohenstein, Grafenberg, Metzingen, Pfronstetten, Mehrstetten.
View the wider travel overview: Reutlingen.
