The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Blaufelden

As a predecessor to Hertenstein, there was a tower castle in Billingsbach. It stood on a rocky spur on the property of today's residential building at Burgweg 4. This small fortress was soon abandoned in favor of Hertenstein Castle and has completely disappeared. The rocky ground can still be recognized, and the winding, naturally grown course of the Burgweg stands out from the rest of the village's streetscape.

Long trousers and sturdy shoes are recommended as the hiking trail is overgrown with stinging nettles in places and leads through narrow, overgrown paths.

Beautiful little reservoir Top

This is a great place to cool off when the weather is hot. Bring beach shoes! Great section that is easy to walk on.

There is a bench to sit on

Hertenstein Castle, located about 0.9 kilometers south-west of Billingsbach on a ledge, has also been removed. It lay above the so-called Geigersteige, which formed part of an old connection between Künzelsau and the Jagsttal to Schrozberg and Rothenburg. The origin of the castle can probably be dated to the early 13th century based on archaeological finds. However, the builders and early owners of the spur castle are unknown. The first known owner was probably Eberhard von Hertenstein, who acquired goods in Billingsbach from the Teutonic Order in 1318. These lords of Hertenstein are probably identical to the local noble lords of Billingsbach. Hertenstein Castle was last mentioned as a ruin in 1578 on the Schweickherren map of the Langenburg office. Ditches and remains of walls from the two-part complex can still be seen. In 1948 the base of the keep was uncovered.

You can find relatively little on the web about this castle ruin. The lords of Hertenstein Castle died out at the end of the 14th century. The castle was on a mountain spur and controlled a trade route from Künzelsau to Rothenburg. The castle lay on two plateaus which were probably connected by a wooden bridge. Around the castle was a 3-5m high moat protecting the south and east side. You can still see this very well. From the west and north side protection was provided by the steep mountain. Impressive are the large rocks in the moat, which are hewn very smoothly. Even today, a narrow path leads to the castle, which was suitable for a horse and carriage. One must assume that tolls were levied down in the valley and that this castle and its owners were eliminated relatively early on. On November 28th, the Margrave of Brandenburg (Ansbach) destroyed Herrentierbach and Raboldshausen in the Third Cities War. Hertenstein Castle may have been there at the time. Another possibility is the destruction of the castle in the 1st and 2nd city wars in 1381 and 1441. At that time, the League of Cities destroyed the castles, which were considered robber baron castles. Unfortunately, photos cannot show the elevation profile well. You only get the right impression live. You should have a look at that.

Very romantic way.