Discover Westhausen: Jagst Valley, hiking and cycling

Westhausen lies in the valley of the young Jagst, on the edge of the Albtrauf. If you are looking for a hotel in Westhausen, you can plan your trip around hiking, cycling or local history. The Agnesburg–Wöllerstein–Schlössle circuit takes around two to three hours and is well signposted. The Wöllerstein route, by contrast, is a challenging forest hike with a summit that is mostly rocky. These different trail profiles give you a concrete starting point for deciding what to focus on during your stay.

Hiking between Agnesburg and Wöllerstein

At 723 metres, Wöllerstein is the highest point in the municipality of Westhausen; a summit cross stands at the top. The route to Wöllerstein passes through the forest, and the summit area is mostly rocky. The Agnesburg–Wöllerstein–Schlössle circuit, on the other hand, is listed as taking around two to three hours on foot. The comparison highlights two different planning considerations: an approximate duration for the signposted circular trail and the challenging nature of the Wöllerstein route.

The historical sites also give the circuit its name. At the former Agnesburg castle site, the surrounding moat is clearly visible. Benches and a table on the Agnesburg plateau provide a place to rest. Eselssteige is an old sunken lane leading towards Agnesburg. The former Schlössle castle site was first mentioned in a document in 1240. These routes bring together high points, places to rest and traces of former castles.

Cycling and enjoying nature

Westhausen lies directly on the Kocher-Jagst Cycle Route. At the Westhausen sports and festival hall, there is a ChargerCube with up to ten covered bicycle spaces and eight charging points for standard pedelec and e-bike batteries. The combination of a cycle route, sheltered parking spaces and charging points provides practical information for planning a cycling tour.

Near Wöllerstein Hall, there is a pump track for bicycles, skateboards, scooters and inline skates. So, in addition to the cycle route, Westhausen also has a facility for various wheeled sports. The Stockmühle reservoir near Westhausen-Lippach is a designated nature reserve and a habitat for birds. The adjacent Bucher Stausee recreation area offers a variety of leisure activities and places to relax. These nature and leisure attractions differ considerably, from a designated protected area to a recreation area with leisure facilities.

Local history and culture

The traditional New Year's Eve ride takes place in Westhausen every year on 31 December; the tradition dates back to 1626. The specific arrangements may vary. If you are planning your trip around the event, check the details for that year. Nearby Kapfenburg Castle is a cultural centre with an international music academy, adding a cultural attraction to the region's historical sites.

More places to explore in the Ostalbkreis

In the wider Ostalbkreis destination, the Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes runs for around six kilometres through the municipality of Rainau, in the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. The signposted Limes circular hiking trail near Rainau is about eleven kilometres long and takes around two and a half hours on foot. It runs from the Limes wall and the Limes tower between Buch and Schwabsberg through the Mahdholz forest, following the Limes to the southern edge of Schwabsberg. A reconstructed watchtower in Limes Park Rainau offers panoramic views across the Ostalb region. Ostalbkreis cuisine includes Swabian Maultaschen, Käsespätzle and regional beers.

Discover more destinations: Ellwangen, Spraitbach, Heubach, Bopfingen, Mutlangen, Aalen, Waldhausen, Neresheim

For the wider travel overview: Ostalbkreis.