Hiking trails, cycling routes and unique natural phenomena shape the range of activities in Burladingen. When planning your trip, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: would you like to spend most of your time hiking, cycling, or exploring the landscape and local history? The different activities offer distinct experiences, so you can choose the ones that best match your interests.
Hiking between the Lauchert, caves and hilltops
Seven circular hiking trails in Burladingen cater to different kinds of hikers, from trekking and leisurely walks to themed explorations. Families and people with limited mobility are also among the intended groups. Along the way, the trails pass caves, ruins and viewpoints, and follow the Lauchert. For a longer route, there is Albsteig Stage 12, which runs from Willmandingen through Burladingen to Jungingen.
In Burladingen-Salmendingen, the 886-metre-high Kornbühl rises as a witness mountain in the Swabian Alb Geopark. The landscape around Kornbühl also includes the St. Anne’s Chapel in Salmendingen. If you are interested in a cycling tour, the Kornbühl Tour is a 20.5-kilometre family route rated as easy, with a short climb around the mountain. Its specific route character and length make it a different option from the routes intended for touring cyclists.
Seasonal natural attractions and traces of history
Below Kornbühl, the temporary Märzensee can form after heavy rain or snowmelt. It is impossible to predict when the lake will appear or how long it will remain. This makes it a natural attraction that cannot reliably be planned for a specific day. The Salmendingen Waterfalls are also a seasonal phenomenon: when snow melts or after heavy rain, water flows over the tufa.
Another special feature is the Lauchert spring in Burladingen-Melchingen. It is the Lauchert’s only tributary that carries water all year round. Those interested in nature and prehistory can also find a link to the past in the Höllenstein karst cave, where finds from the late Celtic period have been discovered. To protect the bats, the cave may only be viewed from the outside from mid-November to mid-April.
Burladingen Roman Fort also offers a way to learn about local history, though it is not a visible open-air site. Information boards in the car park on the B 32 explain its history and significance. Burladingen’s administrative history dates back to the establishment of the Burladingen district in 1544—another perspective on the past, distinct from the cave’s archaeological finds.
Cycling, mountain biking and winter sports
For longer cycling tours, the Swabian Alb Cycle Route and the Hohenzollern Cycle Route are both part of the visitor offer; both are aimed at touring cyclists. Mountain bikers can find freeride and downhill trails at the Burladingen Bike Park. The two options differ not only in the type of cycling, but also in their focus: a multi-stage tour or trails in a bike park.
Activities are also available during the colder months: Burladingen offers ski lifts and cross-country ski trails for winter sports. If you are travelling outside the winter season, you can instead explore the hiking routes and seasonal natural attractions. The waterfalls require snowmelt or heavy rain, while the appearance and duration of the Märzensee are both unpredictable.
Local life and activities for different interests
An evening guided night watchman’s tour through Burladingen introduces visitors to local history. If you would like to see a performance at the Lindenhof Theatre in Burladingen-Melchingen, it is a good idea to check the latest dates before your trip. The theatre has the status of a regional theatre. Alpakaglück Melchingen offers guided walks with alpacas through the Alb landscape; here, too, you should check dates and availability in advance.
The Weilerwiesen adventure playground is also in Burladingen-Melchingen. Its facilities include the Burg Hohenmelchingen climbing and play house and a dirt bike track for children. The playground adds a dedicated place to play to the nature-based activities, while the seven circular hiking trails cater to a range of hiking interests.
If you are planning an overnight stay in Burladingen, you can start by choosing accommodation based on the activities that interest you. For some, hiking is the main attraction; others may prefer a cycling tour, a seasonal natural attraction, or an evening of local history and theatre. Check the dates for time-specific activities before your trip, and bear in mind that the Märzensee and waterfalls depend on the weather and season.
Discover more destinations: Laufen, Jungingen, Zimmern Unter Der Burg, Weilen Unter Den Rinnen, Geislingen, Hechingen, Bisingen, Hausen Am Tann.
Go to the overview of the region: Zollernalbkreis.
