Herdwangen-Schönach: Churches, Grottoes and Nature

If you are planning a trip to Herdwangen-Schönach, you can tailor your stay to different interests: churches and grottoes, hiking and cycling, as well as regional art and events offer a range of options. The following places and activities provide some specific ideas.

Churches and Grottoes with a History of Their Own

St. Wendelin’s Chapel on Ramsberg contains structural remains from the 11th-century high medieval castle complex of the Counts of Ramsberg and Pfullendorf. The churches in Großschönach and Aftholderberg offer other historical points of interest: the church in Großschönach is dedicated to St. Anthony and was built around 1384; Aftholderberg Church is dedicated to St. Eulogius.

Lourdes grottoes are also among the religious sites. The Lourdes Grotto in Großschönach attracts many worshippers for devotions, particularly in May. In 1908, residents of Großschönach built a Lourdes grotto in the Ramsberger Tobel. The Lourdes Grotto at Hüttenbrühl is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was built in 1890. These sites offer different historical details and a special seasonal focus for devotion.

Hiking, Cycling and Landscape

Aftholderberg Church has a geographical distinction: it stands on a watershed. Rainwater flows from one side of the roof into the Rhine and from the other into the Danube. The site is therefore shaped by two different drainage directions.

The Linzgau Way of St. James is part of the extensive network of hiking trails in Herdwangen-Schönach. Another option for hiking with others is the open “Tuesday Hikers” group: it meets every Tuesday afternoon from spring until late autumn and welcomes guests, whether local residents or holidaymakers. The trail network and the regular group meet-up offer different ways to enjoy hiking.

For cycling trips, traffic-calmed roads and cycle paths around Herdwangen-Schönach offer a variety of routes. The Ruhestetter Ried nature reserve offers a different perspective on the landscape: its wet meadows, sedge marshes and reed beds provide valuable habitats. Hiking, cycling and taking in these described habitats give your trip a range of thematic focuses.

Devotions, Festival and Art Gallery

Religious events also differ in when they take place. The Lourdes Grotto in Großschönach attracts many worshippers for devotions, particularly in May. Every year in July, Aftholderberg hosts a festival in honour of St. Eulogius, patron saint of horses, at the invitation of the St. Eulogius Association of Aftholderberg. The programme includes a blessing of the horses and a solemn church service. If you would like to plan your trip around a devotion or the July festival, check the dates in advance.

The Kleinschönach Art Gallery in Großschönach is a shared studio space for various artists. With exhibitions and events, it has developed into a cultural centre for the region. Alongside religious and historical sites, you can also choose art and events as a cultural focus for your trip.

How It Fits into the Broader Destination of Sigmaringen

Other themes take centre stage in the broader destination of Sigmaringen. Sigmaringen Castle developed from a medieval fortress into a princely residence and is considered a landmark of the town. Castle tours present almost 1,000 years of Hohenzollern family history; the castle also houses a private collection of around 3,000 weapons. The DonauFelsenLäufe are five premium hiking trails in Sigmaringen that pass through the Danube Valley, the Schmeien Valley and the Lauchert Valley. When planning your trip, you can distinguish these castle and hiking themes from the churches, grottoes, cycle paths and natural areas in Herdwangen-Schönach.

Discover more destinations: Aftholderberg, Kleinschönach, Thiergarten, Hettingen, Pfullendorf, Bad Saulgau, Herbertingen, Hohentengen

Go to the broader travel overview: Sigmaringen.