Traufgang Wacholderhöhe in Albstadt

Today a clear round but because it was partly tidy iced. Did we actually walk with Grödel the whole time? Otherwise really recommendable now in winter.

4 days of hiking on the Traufgänge, which are located in the Zollern part of the Swabian Alb. We arrived today and chose a shorter tour to get us in the mood. We set off with 27 hikers and 5 hiking dogs.

A beautiful round with a view and the juniper heath in its winter dress as if enchanted

Today, on the second day, in stormy but warm weather, I hiked a dream tour with a view, including the highlight of the "Juniper Heath." Recommended by @Daniela E.. Thank you so much for the great tour, Daniela. It was really fun, despite the storm and therefore unfortunately not so sharp pictures. 🤗🌾🐎

Into a shepherd's paradise... In keeping with the juniper heaths so characteristic of Albstadt and the Swabian Alb, the "Wacholderhöhe" tour primarily focuses on the scenic landscape. Mystical spots like the karst phenomenon of the sand holes, the lovely, tranquil landscape, and the ever-present wonderful views promise hiking enjoyment in its purest form. The Wacholderhöhe offers scenic enjoyment at its finest. The eponymous juniper heath, precious biotopes that owe their existence to the rocky substratum, a few survivalists from flora and fauna, and grazing by sheep, characterize this ridge walk. Here, hikers discover rare plants such as silver thistles, orchids, and orchids. But it is also the stunning views from the ridge edge that remain in the memory. For example, from the viewpoints Leimen-, Meinetshalden- or Strichfelsen down to Albstadt or from the Tailfinger Castle, from where you can still see the last remains of the castle moat in the rocky landscape.

To earn lunch I did this nice tour. 😆 Always a slight up and down, without any major effort. The first half goes through the forest and to Tailfingen Castle. I was happy after that. If I have a 🏰 on the way, even in ruins, I'm happy. Then continue through the forest to some lookout rocks. About halfway along the route, you leave the forest and go back across heath and meadows. Conclusion: deserves lunch 🍽🍺🙂

Sunday morning round on the eaves, on the eaves walkway Wacholderhöhe. Just in time for sunrise, with a hat and gloves (it was still pretty fresh), we started at the WP at the Schützenhaus. From there towards the viewpoints to admire the sunrise. Simply great at this time of year with the colors and the low sun. I was pretty much alone on the tour, so you could really enjoy it. The circular hike, a very clear TT (great tour) even with an asterisk.

Today I was out and about in pretty wet weather. The round over the Taufgang Wachholderhöhe first leads to the MTB downhill route at the Tailfinger Schloßberg lift. This shows that MTB and hiking go well together. The hiking trail goes alongside the downhill trail and where they cross, wooden plank bridges are built for cyclists and the hiking trail goes below. After a while, the cyclists plunge down towards Schalkental and the hikers climb the Tailfinger Schloßfelsen. If the weather is good, it offers a magnificent view over the valley. After the castle (which used to be one, but is no longer there), it goes to the Leimenfelsen, from there to the Meinertshaldenfelsen and on to the Strichfelsen. After the rock tour, it goes back towards the Schützenhaus via the Wachholderheide. On the way I pass the sand holes. There is no sand to be seen here, but there are small and larger caves. They were created when sand was mined there. A weather station is stationed in the sinkholes near the sand holes, which ensures that the whole of Germany thinks that the Swabian Alb belongs to Siberia in terms of temperature. It's like walking on clouds back to the Schützenhaus car park.