Bartholomä on the Swabian Alb

Bartholomä is located on the Swabian Alb. The landscape around the town is characterized by extensive forests, upland plateaus, juniper heaths, wooded steep slopes and distinctive edge mountains with numerous viewpoints. Despite its location away from major transport routes, Bartholomä is considered easy to reach and lies close to the A7 and A8 motorways. Several interests can be combined when planning a trip: nature, circular hikes, longer cycling excursions, seasonal winter sports and culture. Which of these takes center stage depends on your plans and travel dates.

The Alb landscape and botanical destinations

The protected areas Rauhe Wies and Weiherwiesen are botanical attractions around Bartholomä. Hikes around the Albuch offer views of Stuifen, Hohenrechberg and Hohenstaufen. This brings together botanical destinations, upland plateaus, juniper heaths and wooded slopes in the landscape. If you plan to visit the protected areas, check the latest access information, as access conditions may change.

Circular trails starting in Bartholomä

The Wanderblume project offers eight well-signposted circular trails that start and finish in Bartholomä. This is a good option if you would like to plan a route that returns to its starting point. The trail markers may be updated over time, so check the current signposting before setting out.

Winter and cycling

There is a ski lift on Wirtsberg. Around 100 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails are also available for classic and skating styles. The lift and trails depend on seasonal conditions. If winter sports are important to your stay, check operating status and trail grooming in advance.

Good trails around Bartholomä make longer cycling excursions through unspoiled nature possible. This means you can include longer bike rides in your travel plans alongside hikes. Trail conditions may change, so it is advisable to check the latest situation before a longer ride.

Amalienhof and culture

Amalienhof was built around 1850. Its old granary was rebuilt after the fire of 1929 and now houses the museum. The grounds of Amalienhof were developed into the Kulturhof and the Nostalgieort Braighausen. If you plan to visit the museum, check the current visitor information in advance.

Hikes in the Ostalbkreis

Two Wanderblume hikes in the Ostalbkreis start at the Dorfhaus Bartholomä. Route 4, “Im Felsenmeer,” is 17 kilometers long and leads through the Felsenmeer and Wental to the Hirschtal near Steinheim. Route 2, “An den Weiherwiesen,” covers 25 kilometers: it also starts at the Dorfhaus, leads across the Weiherwiesen to the Volkmarsberg and past the Kocher spring near Oberkochen, then through the Tiefental and back to Bartholomä via Tauchenweiler. The two routes therefore differ both in length and course: one leads to Hirschtal, while the other returns to its starting point.

A regional look at the Limes

The Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes is also part of the history of the Ostalbkreis and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. In the municipality of Rainau, the Limes runs for about six kilometers through the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen. The Limes Park in Rainau preserves notable sections and important individual monuments of the Limes. A reconstructed watchtower in the Limes Park in Rainau offers panoramic views across the Ostalb.

Discover more destinations: Rainau, Täferrot, Lauchheim, Gschwend, Wört, Abtsgmünd, Waldhausen, Spraitbach.

For the broader travel overview: Ostalbkreis.