Bad Urach - Gutersteiner wasserfall - Rutschenfelsen - Uracher wasserfall - Burg Hohenurach

The hike starts from Bad Urach's Parkplatz Maisenthal. At this location, but also at the other parking spaces in this neighbourhood, a daily rate of five euros applies (July 2023).
We first walk for more than a kilometre on an easy dirt road through a stretch with mainly meadows to Güterstein. Once there we go into the forest and quite steeply up nature trails. We soon arrive at the first attraction of this route: the Gütersteiner waterfall.

Gütersteiner waterfall
At the Gütersteiner waterfall, the water falls in many small cascades into a pool. As a result, this waterfall has its very own character. This one is more hidden and romantic but no less impressive than the Urach Waterfall.
A special phenomenon can be observed at the Gütersteiner waterfall: In the area of the waterfall, limescale is separated from the lime-saturated spring water and thus the formation of sinter coatings on moss cushions. New layers are constantly being formed and meter-thick deposits can form over thousands of years. You can literally watch the porous rock tufa (swelling tuff) grow. Help protect this natural wonder of the Swabian Jura: Please avoid entering the area of the waterfall. The filigree structures are very vulnerable, they are destroyed when stepped on and have to regenerate over a very long period of time.
There is a small chapel above the waterfall, reminiscent of the Güterstein monastery that stood on this site until 1560.

Not far past the waterfall we are going to follow a path that alternates along meadows and through forests along a kind of plateau. There is little height difference on this stretch and at a certain point we walk over the rocks that make up the impressive Rutschenfelsen. So sometimes we don't walk far from rather deep abysses.

Rutschenfelsen:
From the vantage point you have a great view of the Runder Berg, the Hohenneuffen and Hohenurach ruins, Teck Castle in the distance, the Maisen Valley and Bad Urach.
Rock: limestone, maximum rock height: 90 m, average rock height: 60 m
Climbing is prohibited from October 1st to July 14th for reasons of nature conservation.

We walk a little further along these abysses where it is not dangerous anywhere as long as we do not climb over the fences that have been placed here and there as a precaution.

We head down not long after on a somewhat more challenging descent towards the second waterfall in this route: The Urach Waterfall.

The Urach Waterfall.
The Urach Waterfall is probably the most famous in the Swabian Alb and is one of the special sights of the "UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb" and the UNESCO-recognized "Biosphere Area Swabian Alb". A visit to the waterfall is therefore an absolute "must" for every visitor to Bad Urach.
The water falls almost 40 meters from the Hochweise waterfall over the Albtuff ridge into the depths. What makes the Urach Waterfall so unique are the different perspectives from which you can observe the natural spectacle. From below you can marvel at how the jet of water plunges into the depths and then meanders further down into the valley over moss-covered stones in many small rivulets. If you climb the steep steps on the side of the fall, you will always get new impressions of this natural spectacle. Arriving at the top of the high meadow, you can finally watch from the bridge over the waterfall how the water falls over the tuff edge.
The Gütersteiner waterfall and the Uracher waterfall were created in a similar way by lime deposits.

This route goes above the waterfall. At this point there is also a picnic area and a restaurant.

The part that follows is on very easy paths through the forest. On this stretch we pass one last point of interest: Burgruine Hohenurach

The ruins of the Hohenurach Castle
Hohenurach Castle is enthroned on a high mountain above Bad Urach. The complex from the 11th century was later expanded into an impressive fortress and is one of the largest in southern Germany.
Numerous remains of Hohenurach Castle have survived to this day. Archways, ornaments, decorations, columns, circular towers, fortifications and fountains have been preserved and invite you to explore and linger. The castle offers a magnificent view of the surrounding valleys, some of which are uninhabited. The nearby Urach Waterfall and the sparse forests in the area invite you to go hiking. It is worth it!

Some additional information:
The route is designed in a counter clockwise direction.
Time spent: total = 7 hours and 12 minutes of which moving = 3 hours and 34 minutes
There are picnic tables after 4,8 and 5,9 kilometres

The track is moderate from a technical point of view.

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