In Thiergarten, you can plan your stay around two circular routes of different lengths, the Basilica of St. George and a nearby archaeological site. The route details help you estimate how much time to set aside for hiking, while the historical and regional themes offer distinct highlights. This makes it possible to consider in advance whether a longer circuit, a shorter tour or a combination of culture and regional cuisine would best suit your planned stay.

Hiking circuits with different time requirements

The 13.7-kilometre circular route passes Ruine Falkenstein, Schaufelsen, Neidingen, Lenzenfelsen and Neumühle. The estimated walking time is around three to four hours. The shorter route is 4.2 kilometres long and passes St. Georgsbrücke, Gutshof Käppeler and Rabenfelsen; its walking time is approximately one and a half hours. This gives you two clearly distinct route lengths and timeframes to choose from. The time estimates are approximate. Signposting and trail conditions may change seasonally; check local information before setting out.

Basilica and archaeological finds

Thiergarten’s Basilica of St. George was first documented in 1275. It is considered the smallest three-aisled basilica north of the Alps and is believed to have been built around the year 1000. The two dates refer to different things: around 1000 is the presumed construction date, while 1275 is the first documented mention. For historical context, it is worth distinguishing this tentative dating from the documented reference.

The Falkenstein Cave lies about two kilometres from Thiergarten. Archaeological finds there include around 9,000 Mesolithic tools, implements and pieces of jewellery, as well as human skeletal remains. These finds offer a much older archaeological perspective on the area alongside the basilica’s architectural history. Check local access conditions before visiting the cave.

Regional cuisine in Beuron-Thiergarten

Gutshof Käppeler in Beuron-Thiergarten is certified as a Naturpark-Wirt and serves regional cuisine as part of the Upper Danube Nature Park network. If you would like to include it in your plans, check the restaurant’s availability and opening hours in advance.

More circular routes in Beuron

Beuron also has its own circular routes. The 7.0-kilometre Beuron 1 circuit starts at the train station and passes the railway bridge, Liebfrauental, Gallushof, Jägerhaus and Talweg before reaching the monastery car park and the monastery, then returning to the station. Beuron 2 is 8.4 kilometres long: from the monastery car park, it passes the historic covered wooden bridge, the barbecue area, Knopfmacherfelsen, Jägerhaus and Liebfrauental before returning to the monastery car park.

The two 6.7-kilometre Beuron circuits follow different points along the way. Beuron 3 passes Maria Trost, the Rauher Stein hiking lodge, the alpine garden and the Eichfelsen viewpoint; Beuron 5 passes Maurusfelsen and St. Maurus Chapel. The 9.8-kilometre Beuron 4 circuit passes Alpenblick, Wildenstein Castle and St. Maurus Chapel. These landmarks provide a practical guide when choosing between the Beuron routes.

Culture in Beuron

The permanent exhibition “Abenteuer Vielfalt” is housed at the House of Nature in Beuron. Admission is free. Check the admission conditions before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Herdwangen-Schönach, Schwäblishausen, Hettingen, Bingen, Veringenstadt, Sigmaringendorf, Gammertingen, Leibertingen.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sigmaringen.