Discover Ehingen: Hesselberg, Trails and Village History

The town combines striking scenery with insights into the past and activities for different age groups.

Hiking Trails and Walks on Hesselberg

With its distinctive transmission tower, Hesselberg shapes the landscape of western Middle Franconia. At 689.4 metres, it is the highest elevation in Middle Franconia. It is also regarded as the local mountain of Ehingen and a nearby recreation and excursion destination. The mountain has signposted hiking trails with varied routes and shorter walks, including a geological nature trail. This offers a choice between longer hikes and shorter routes.

Specific starting points are also described: The bee nature trail begins in Ehingen at the sheep barn on Hesselbergstraße, heading towards Bergmühle. The “Hesselberg: North Ascent – Stone Path” hiking trail starts at the bus stop on Hauptstraße in Ehingen. These are two different trailheads, so plan your route according to which trail you want to take.

Village History and Historic Buildings

The Hans Spatz Local History Museum focuses on village life over the past 250 years. Around 10,000 exhibits from Ehingen and the surrounding villages give the collection a broad historical and local scope. Objects from the area offer a way to explore the history of village life.

The buildings along the Mühlbach present a different view of the town: St. James’ Church stands on a hill above the stream, while the historic Meierhof, also known as Mooarhof, lies below the church. The church and the Meierhof are two distinct landmarks in the setting described.

Nature Experiences and Activities at Kappelbuck

Nature excursions for children of all ages are offered at Kappelbuck in the district of Beyerberg. Baking activities also vary by age: baking classes are for children and teenagers, while bread-baking seminars are for adults. If you are travelling with people of different ages, this information may help you choose a suitable outing.

Beyerberg bathing pond is one of Ehingen’s natural swimming spots. The Hortus Insectorum offers another way to explore nature: guided tours of the 4,500-square-metre garden provide information and tips for your own garden. Its cultivation methods create additional habitats for butterflies, wild bees and many other insects. The garden focuses both on how to design your own garden and on the habitats of these creatures.

More Things to Explore in the Wider Ansbach Destination

The wider Ansbach destination offers distinct cultural and nature experiences in different places. In Wolframs-Eschenbach, the 2.2-kilometre, accessible Literaturweg Franken forms a circular route around the town’s fortifications. Its 15 information panels feature authors from the Middle Ages to the present day whose works have addressed Franconia. Unlike this circular route, the Löhe and History Trail leads to sites in Neuendettelsau and to the churches in Reuth and Wernsbach, with an information panel at each stop. The trail focuses on the 19th century, when pastor Wilhelm Löhe worked in Neuendettelsau.

Museums also cover different subjects. The “wiegen & messen” Museum in Königshofen displays more than 4,000 exhibits, including historic scales, weights, yardsticks, folding rules and vessels used to measure grain. The German Brush and Broom Museum in Bechhofen a.d. Heide is devoted to household implements as well as specialist brushes and paintbrushes used in crafts and industry. Nature enthusiasts can find information about hiking and cycling trails, as well as ranger-led tours, at Frankenhöhe Nature Park in the wider Ansbach destination. It covers around 1,100 square kilometres and lies within the districts of Ansbach and Neustadt a.d. Aisch–Bad Windsheim, as well as the independent city of Ansbach.

To the wider travel overview: Hesselberg.