Wernau (Neckar): Nature, Trails and Culture

Wernau (Neckar) can be explored through a range of themes: local history, art in public spaces, protected natural areas, and trails for hiking or cycling. There are also facilities at the Quadrium and a museum whose exhibits are shown on a guided tour. When planning your stay, consider which of these themes matters most to you. This will help you shape your time in Wernau around your interests.

History, art and the museum

Palm'sche Schloss in Wernau dates back to the 18th century. It offers a tangible historical point of reference if you are interested in the town’s architecture and history. At Wernau’s town square, two figures several metres tall stand at the entrances. They are works by Wernau artist Robert Cmarik and add a distinctive artistic touch to the townscape.

The Junkers Museum offers a different perspective on the town’s history. A calorimeter, the shower ring and a bathtub with a freestanding hot-water heater are shown on a guided tour. A visit therefore requires taking part in a guided tour. If you would like to include the museum in your plans, check in advance whether you can join one.

Natural areas in Wernau

The “Wernauer Baggerseen” nature reserve is located in the Neckar Valley. Wernauer Lehmgrube nature reserve is a 5.5-hectare biotope above the Ziegelei residential area. Both places offer a distinct connection to Wernau’s landscape: one to the Neckar Valley, the other to a biotope above the residential area.

The small Bodenbach River is also part of the landscape: it winds through the town and has been renaturalised along much of its course. The gravel pits, biotope and stream represent different elements of the landscape. If you are interested in nature, you can take these local features into account when choosing places to visit.

Hiking trails, cycling routes and the Quadrium

Wernau has eight circular hiking trails. The stated walking times range from one to three and a half hours. These different time frames help you distinguish a shorter walk from a longer hike and plan accordingly. Wernau and its surroundings also have an extensive, well-developed network of cycling and hiking trails stretching for many kilometres. Before setting off, check local route information to make sure your plans match the trails you intend to use.

For another kind of stay, the Quadrium in Wernau offers a sauna area, a hammam, massages, a day spa and an indoor swimming pool. If you would like to include any of these facilities in your plans, check the operator’s latest information about services and access. This gives you different options for planning your trip: you can focus on an outdoor excursion, a cultural visit or the facilities at the Quadrium without treating these activities as interchangeable.

A regional perspective on Esslingen

The Esslingen district offers another regional perspective. It is one of ten districts in the Swabian Alb UNESCO Global Geopark. Six landscape areas define the district: Schurwald, Schönbuch, Fildern, Neckar Valley, the Alb foothills and the Alb escarpment. The district’s landscape is also shaped by its traditional orchard meadows, with 1.5 million fruit trees.

Since 2020, around 1,200 kilometres of district cycling routes have been available to cyclists in the Esslingen district; continuous cycle-route signage is in place throughout the district. When there is enough snow, three cross-country ski trails are also available. The trails are explicitly dependent on snow conditions. These district-wide details add a regional perspective to Wernau’s specific attractions.

Discover more destinations: Holzmaden, Neuffen, Neuenhaus, Wendlingen, Beuren, Großbettlingen, Wolfschlugen, Dettingen unter Teck

For the general travel overview: Esslingen.