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Welzheim Observatory – Edenbach Gorge loop from Wieslaufschlucht und Edenbachschlucht

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Hiking trails & Routes

Welzheim Observatory – Edenbach Gorge loop from Wieslaufschlucht und Edenbachschlucht

Moderate

4.8

(282)

947

hikers

Welzheim Observatory – Edenbach Gorge loop from Wieslaufschlucht und Edenbachschlucht

02:12

7.75km

170m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: March 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Schwäbisch-Fränkischer Wald

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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48 m

Laufenmühle Viaduct

Highlight • Bridge

The Wieslauftalbahn.
Since 2010 she has been going back up to Welzheim. As a tourist attraction, you can comfortably chug the steam train to Welzheim on the weekends.

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79 m

Edenbach Waterfall at Laufenmühle

Highlight • Waterfall

Again and again very nice, for short or longer hiking. Refreshments in the vicinity

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1.28 km

The geological natural monument Kesselgrotte, below Langenberg, has formed in the Upper Stubensandstein in a side blade of the Wieslauf Gorge. This niche formation, which is typical for the Middle Keuper, is based on the different properties of the rock in question.

A spring stream flowing down the slope, which flows into the Buchbach, has deepened into a narrow channel above the grotto. The falling water continuously erodes the base of the grotto. In winter, the frozen water blasts deep cracks in the hard sandstone slabs, which break away as they thaw. Cave formations of this type are common in the Upper Stubensandstein, which is why one also speaks of the so-called “cave sandstone”.

The geotope is part of the geological nature trail of the city of Welzheim, which was set up a few years ago with the help of the state of Baden-Württemberg, the European Union and the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park. The grotto is open to the public. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

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1.66 km

Uranus on the Welzheim Planet Trail

Highlight • Monument

An informative change for those interested

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4.00 km

Welzheim Observatory

Highlight • Structure

In starry weather, the Welzheim observatory in the district of Langenberg offers star tours. It is best to reach the observatory by car from Schorndorf via the L1150 in the direction of Welzheim. At the junction Langenberg follow the signs to the parking lot "Sternwarte". From there it is about 500 meters to walk. Free guided tours for individuals and families. Registration required only for groups.
Observation station of the Planetarium Stuttgart
Willy-Brandt-Straße 25
70173 Stuttgart
0711 1629215
0711 2163912
planetarium (@) stuttgart.de
Observatory Welzheim

For those interested in astronomy, there is a hike on the planet path, which gives information on the individual planets on the way from the Laufenmühle to the observatory (2 km) with eight stations. The distances of the stations reflect the distance of the planets to the sun.

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4.06 km

Welzheim Planetary Trail

Highlight • Trail

The Welzheimer Planet Path leads from the Laufenmühle car park up to the Kesselgrotte to the Welzheim observatory. The positions of the planets are marked by boards on which the most important properties and characteristics of the individual moving stars are noted. Eight large planets orbit our sun as the central star. Listed in their distance from the sun, they are called: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. You can easily memorize the order with the following motto: My father explains our night sky to me every Sunday. The first letters of the words in this sentence correspond to the first letters of the planets in their order from the sun.
more: sternwarte-welzheim.de/planetenweg.php#:~:text=Der%20Welzheimer%20Planetenweg%20f%C3%BChrt%20vom%20Parkplatz%20Laufenm%C3%BChle%20hinauf,ihrem%20Abstand % 20of% 20the% 20sun% 20discounted% C3% A4holds% 20hei% C3% 9Fen% 20you% 3A

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