Swabian Mountains

The Swabian Mountains is a low mountain range in Baden-Württemberg. == Understand == Much of the Swabian Mountains consists of gentle to moderate hills often covered with forest or cleared for small-scale agriculture. It occupies the region bounded by the Danube in the southeast and the upper Neckar in the northwest. In the southwest it rises to the higher mountains of the Black Forest. The Swabian Mountains (German: Schwäbische Alb) are also known as Swabian Jura or Swabian Alb. == Cities == 1 Bopfingen On the plateau 2 Münsingen - heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 3 Heidenheim - north-eastern border In the foreland 4 Bad Urach - a climatic health-resort with a thermal bath in impressive landscape 5 Hechingen - at the north-western escarpment close to the stunning Hohenzollern Castle 6 Reutlingen - called "the gate to the Swabian Mountains", the city is a traditional centre for trade and manufacturing. 7 Tuttlingen 8 Tübingen - a beautiful university town with crooked half-timbered houses in a charming historical city centre 9 Ulm - with the highest church spire in the world == Other destinations == 1 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Swabian Alb. Founded in 2009 out of a former area for military purposes with different geological conditions, different biogeographical regions and the activity of humans. 2 Schönbuch Nature Park. Ideal for hiking, walking and cycling and attracts people seeking rest and relaxation from far and near. With its dense forests, moorland areas and natural stream the Schönbuch became Baden-Württemberg's first nature reserve in 1972. 1 Laichinger Tiefenhöhle (Deep cave of Laichingen) (Höhleweg 220, 89150 Laichingen). March to November 10:00-18:00. Drip stone cave €6. (updated Jul 2025) Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura. A world heritage site comprising two caves near Ulm. Lone Valley or Hohlensteinhöhle is near Langenau about 15 km to northeast, and the Ach Valley about 10 km west near Blaubeuren. (updated Jul 2017) == Talk == Locals in the areas speak the distinct German dialect known as Swabian German (German: Schwäbisch), which varies even throughout the area. The dialect at the top of the plateau is stronger than the broadest Swabian of the lowland areas. Across the whole Swabian region, many phrases and grammar are highly localized, even down to the village level. == Get in == The main entry points to the area are Stuttgart and Ulm the former has an airport (STR IATA) while the latter is served by long distance trains and Intercity buses in Germany == Get around == == See == 1 Hohenzollern Castle (Burg Hohenzollern) (from Hechingen take the bus 300 at 11:25 or 13:25 (only in summer)). A fairytale castle dramatically set on top of a conical hill. Lichtenstein Castle is a historicist castle built in the 19th century at the edge of the Swabian Alps near Reutlingen . Kapfenburg Castle is a castle on a high location east of the town of Aalen, and west of Q1752559|Bopfingen, built in the 12th century. 2 Zwiefalten Abbey. The Zwiefalten Abbey is a spectacular Baroque monastery church founded in 1089 and rebuilt in the 18th century. Its richly decorated interior—featuring frescoes by Franz Joseph Spiegler—makes it one of the highlights of the Upper Swabian Baroque Route. (updated Apr 2026) == Do == === Caves === Near Reutlingen, you can explore Bärenhöhle, one of the most visited dripstone caves in Germany, named after the many bear skeletons inside. It was discovered in 1834 by the school teacher Fauth, while he was looking for herbs. A recreational park above the cave makes it a popular trip target on weekends. Nebelhöhle is another drip stone cave near Reutlingen. == Eat == == Drink == == Stay safe == == Go next ==