The best city hikes and walks around Landkreis Tübingen

I recommend a round trip by pedal boat

Tübingen and Neckar belong together

The Ammerkanal was already created in the Middle Ages. It has branched off the Ammer far before the city since 1493 and formerly powered the copper hammer and the grinding mill, powder mill, and barley mill before reaching the old town at the Haagtor. It crosses the Untere Stadt (lower town) in a west-east direction and branches off at the market near the Nonnenhaus behind the city wall passage: on the one hand into the underground section under the Mühlstraße downhill to the Neckar near the Neckar bridge, on the other hand continuing straight ahead under the 'Museum' building and through Wilhelmstraße to the Ammer. At the Haagtor, the Kleine Ämmerle branched off, which irrigated the northern Untere Stadt; it still existed until the early 20th century. - The Ammerkanal is over 4 km long from its beginning at the Ammerhof and has a drop of 20 m, which occurs predominantly in the last section under the Mühlstraße. The current course of the canal west of the old town was not the first. As early as 1175, there was a canal that separated from the Ammer only at Schwärzloch and then ran quite straight towards the Haagtor. The course through the old town already corresponded almost exactly to the present one. However, until about 1450, it did not flow underground under the present Mühlstraße to and into the Neckar, but turned back at the Lustnauer Tor, following the present Wilhelmstraße, to the Ammer, so that its water, together with the Ammer stream, flowed around the Österberg near Lustnau into the Neckar. This last section from the Lustnauer Tor is now used as an overflow and diversion of the canal's Mühlstraße tunnel. Source: https://www.tuepedia.de/wiki/Ammerkanal

The Neptune Fountain on Tübingen's market square is also called the Market Fountain due to its location. It is named after the Roman god Neptune. He was originally probably the god of flowing waters, gushing springs, or even weather. From the beginning of the 4th century BC, he also became the god of the sea. This made him the second most powerful god of Olympus. In Roman mythology, Neptune was married to Amphitrite. It is assumed that he had no offspring. He is mostly depicted with his symbol, the trident (Ψ), sea creatures, or dolphins. In most cases, he wears a beard and long hair. In his honor, very early on, on July 23rd, the Neptunalia were celebrated in the Roman Empire. Not much is known about the festival itself, only that huts made of leaves were erected, the purpose of which is not precisely documented (protection from the sun, sales stands, plea for rain). He lived in the depths of the sea with a large retinue of lower sea deities and was ruler over the sea deities Nereus, Phorkys, and Keto, brought forth by Pontos and Gaia. Ancient sources (especially Pliny, Livy, and Cassius Dio) report at least two cult sites dedicated to him on the Campus Martius in Rome. A temple that was consecrated before 206 BC in the area of the Circus Flaminius and the so-called Basilica Neptuni, which was built in 25 BC by Marcus Agrippa in honor of Augustus, in close proximity to the Pantheon. He was also worshiped in the provinces and Italian cities outside of Rome, especially near rivers, lakes, or the sea. Source: https://www.tuepedia.de/wiki/Neptunbrunnen

You won't find any traditional hiking trails here, but this route is highly recommended as an accessible hike and is also suitable for strollers. You'll encounter various groups of people, such as joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, and strollers. A green strip runs alongside the Steinlach River, between the river and the road. In good weather, this strip is often used by students for picnics or sunbathing. You can observe mallards and other birds along the river. Currently, snowdrops are blooming in the green strip, planted in large clumps. There are several bridges along the route to cross to the other side, making it possible to hike this section as a loop. The Steinlach flows into the Neckar River in Tübingen.

Graffiti art - Along the Steinlach cycle path - Tübingen-Derendingen - Tübingen district

In December, Tübingen's historic old town transforms into a paradise for chocolate lovers for a few days. Around 90 exclusive chocolatiers and manufacturers from all over the world present their finest creations – from Italy and Belgium to Ecuador and Peru.

Beautiful view of the Neckar River 🌊 - Tübingen on the Neckar