Hohenurach Castle Ruins

Perched high above the town of Bad Urach, the ruins of Hohenurach Castle dominate the landscape as a visible symbol of the city and a fascinating relic of medieval architecture. Today, the site is not only a scenic hiking destination with sweeping views but also a place rich in history.

Impressive Ruins with a View

The remains of the once-mighty hilltop fortress sprawl across a rocky plateau atop Schlossberg, roughly 250 meters above the valley floor. From here, visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views across the Erms Valley and toward the escarpments of the Swabian Jura. The expansive ruins are freely accessible all year round and invite you to explore old bastions, crumbling walls, and informational displays that tell the story of the castle's past.

Hiking Up to the Castle

The best way to reach the ruins is on foot. A well-marked hiking trail begins at the spa gardens (Kurpark) in Bad Urach and leads up to Schlossberg. The route is steep but scenic, passing several viewpoints with vistas of the Urach Waterfall and the Alb plateau. Allow around 45 minutes for the ascent.

Hohenurach Castle was likely founded in the late 11th century and originally served as the ancestral seat of the Counts of Urach. From the 13th century onward, the castle changed hands several times before being acquired by the Counts of Württemberg, who transformed it into a state fortress. Over the centuries, it was besieged, destroyed, rebuilt, and even used as a state prison.

Notable figures such as the poet Nicodemus Frischlin and jurist Matthäus Enzlin were imprisoned here. In the 18th century, the fortress lost its strategic importance, was abandoned, and later used as a stone quarry. Efforts to preserve the site began around 1900, turning it into the popular hiking and heritage destination it is today.

Hohenurach Castle lies atop the 692-meter Schlossberg just west of Bad Urach, in the UNESCO-designated Swabian Jura Biosphere Reserve. It's located about 25 kilometers east of Reutlingen and is easy to reach by car or public transport.

By car, take the B28 between Reutlingen and Ulm to reach Bad Urach. Parking is available at several locations, including the P23 hiking lot near the Haus am Gatter and around the Ermstal Clinic. If you're traveling by train, take the Ermstalbahn (RB 63) regional line from Reutlingen to Bad Urach. From the station, a signposted hiking trail leads to the castle in about 45 to 60 minutes.