Knill Woods – Steinheim Meteor Crater Rim loop from Mittelrainstraße

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

Baden-Württemberg

Heidenheim

Heidenheim an der Brenz

Knill Woods – Steinheim Meteor Crater Rim loop from Mittelrainstraße

Hard

4.9

(142)

411

hikers

Knill Woods – Steinheim Meteor Crater Rim loop from Mittelrainstraße

07:00

24.9km

480m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Steinheimer Becken

Wental mit Seitentälern und Feldinsel Klösterle

Geopark Schwäbische Alb

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.76 km

Heiderose country inn

Highlight • Restaurant

If you come up from Heidenheim, it is the right place to get some refreshment or rest. And if you are lucky, you will see gliders.
heiderose-steinheim.de

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3.13 km

Steinheim Sheep Slope

Highlight • Natural

Heathland with a view of Steinheim

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5.87 km

Knillberg

Highlight • Summit

The Knillberg is a hilltop overgrown with green on the southern edge of the Steinheim Basin. On the idyllic meadows you have a good chance of meeting an Alb shepherd with his herd.

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5.98 km

nice corner, elevated with a view towards Steinheim. Sontheim, Heidenheim
But if you want to cycle towards Heidenheim: there are many steep steps or a steep gravel path at the end of the hill (caution)

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7.24 km

View from the Burgstall overlooking the Steinheim Basin

Highlight • Viewpoint

From here you have a good view of Sontheim and Steinheim.

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7.33 km

Burgstallfels View of the Steinheim Basin

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great panoramic view of the former meteorite crater.

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12.0 km

Steinheim Meteor Crater Rim

Highlight • Natural Monument

From this point you have a wonderful view of the Hirschtal up to the Hirschfelsen.

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14.0 km

Gnannental Dam

Highlight • Monument

Impressive building in the middle of nature

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16.2 km

Kreuzwirtwald

Forest

24.9 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

15.7 km

6.58 km

1.66 km

764 m

200 m

Surfaces

8.35 km

8.19 km

4.38 km

2.92 km

972 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (640 m)

Lowest point (520 m)

Weather

Sunday 4 October

21°C

9°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 2.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 6, 2025,Meteorkrater - Rundweg

The Meteor Crater Loop Trail runs mainly along the edge of the basin around the communities of Steinheim and Sontheim in the Stubental valley. The route is approximately 20 km long. The trail is very varied and well signposted.
Since I walked it from my front door, it's a few kilometers longer!

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August 6, 2022,Steinheim Kraterrundwanderung

First time on the Ostalb, but certainly not the last time.

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May 24, 2025,Wanderung mit Brigitte den Meteorkraterrundweg von Steinheim

Today I finally managed to meet my first follower@Brigitte 🥾🍂🎒 in person, plus a great hike with lots of nature, panoramic views around the crater rim and Bailey was there too...🐕🤩 Thank you for the lovely day and hopefully again soon...⭐⭐⭐⭐

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July 27, 2025,Mein🥾Ding - "Sun-Seeker-Tour" mit kleinen ⛈️Schönheitsfehlern😎 - Albschäfer-Zeitspur: ☄️Meteorkrater-Rundwanderweg am Kraterbecken um Steinheim am Albuch & Sontheim im Stubental 🤗

... weather-wise ☀️🌦️⛈️ ... varied and exciting tour - but overall 🍀 lucky - only got a short shower 😉 ... in any case, scenically, fascinating paths with plenty of butterfly activity 🦋 and varied tree and shrub growth 🫶

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April 11, 2023," Meteorkraterrundweg " Steinheim - Was vor 15 Mio. Jahren geschah, ist kein Geheimnis mehr

The Steinheim Basin was formed by the impact of a meteorite. The circular trail leads along the crater rim with views of the central hill, the Steinhirt. The varied path leads across heathland, through forests, and valleys.

The trail is rounded off by numerous information panels.

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June 21, 2025,Rund um Steinheim

Today I started early and hiked the Crater Trail. I already knew some sections from the Albschäferweg. I particularly enjoyed the last stretch through the Gnannental valley and the beautiful forest paths with the views. I'll definitely do it again at a different time of year.

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May 24, 2025,Meteorkrater - Rundweg

Today it finally worked out, and @Heiko geiht tippeln ⚓ and I hiked the Meteor Crater Loop together. The chemistry was right from the start, and it was an entertaining hike. I have almost no photos, as getting to know each other and chatting was the main focus.
Please check out @Heiko geiht tippeln ⚓—he took more photos—or my collection.😊

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August 20, 2021,Albschäfer-Zeitspur: Meteorkrater-Rundwanderweg

A meteorite struck the area 15 billion years ago. Today you can hike over the rim of the crater. You always have great views of Steinheim am Albbuch. Signs along the way explain the history of the basin. The tour leads over meadows and forest roads, mostly on the edge of the forest and over plateaus. Only the last 2 …

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