Gentle hills with sun-drenched vineyards and orchards characterize the landscape in the Weinsberger Valley.

A particularly high number of hours of sunshine, combined with the winemaking tradition, gave the “Swabian Tuscany” its famous nickname. It is located about 50 kilometers north of Stuttgart and 100 kilometers south of Würzburg and is actually called the Weinsberger Tal. Gentle hills with sun-drenched vineyards and orchards characterize the landscape of this region. The Sulm river runs through the beautiful valley, which is great for exploring on bike and hiking trails.

There is something here for all types of hikers: from very leisurely tours to steep climbs in the vineyards or on the Löwenstein mountains. The varied route is exciting. Sometimes it goes through vineyards, sometimes along orchards. Open landscape with a wide view alternates with wooded areas. Sometimes you walk on easy country roads, sometimes on adventurous paths. The signposted hiking trails are between three and 63 kilometers long. On the way or as a conclusion, numerous restaurants and sights invite you to stop off or visit.

Like the Flair Hotel Landgasthof Roger in Löwenstein-Hößlinsülz. It is located in the middle of the “Swabian Tuscany” and is therefore the perfect starting point for hikes and bike tours. “We are only a ten-minute walk from Lake Breitenau,” reports hotelier Michael Roger. The largest lake in the Weinsberger Valley is a popular local recreation area and a magnet for visitors. Here you can not only go swimming, boating and stand-up paddling. The 4.3 kilometer circular lake path offers fascinating views and attracts walkers, joggers and cyclists. The sandy beach and sunbathing lawn invite you to laze around, for sports fans there are among other things ball playgrounds and an outdoor fitness park.

Weinsberger valley

The Weinsberger Valley is also popular with two-wheelers with more horsepower who are out and about with their motorcycles. From long turns to tight bends, everything is included, only sections of the route with 100 kilometers per hour are rare. Many different landscapes and cultural regions make the tours attractive. It goes past forests, meadows, vineyards and orchards as well as castles and palaces, so that there are many possibilities for sightseeing or culinary stops apart from motorcycling. The viewing platform on the B 39 between Löwenstein and Hirrweiler is a “Mecca” for motorcyclists. Here the bikers meet because of the beautiful view of the valley and to exchange experiences.

The Löwenstein Mountains in the Weinsberger Valley are also part of the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park. In this 1.2 square kilometer protected area, mindful nature experience is paramount. It is worthwhile to consciously discover and experience the wonderful landscape. For example when visiting a nature park market where regional products are sold. Or on a guided foray with a nature park guide. On Sundays and public holidays, the nature park guides take their visitors on a variety of exciting tours all about nature and culture. Be it hikes through unspoilt forests, informative trips to historical sites or culinary tours and herb hikes – the nature park guides always have exciting stories with them.

One has grandiose views of the Weinsberger valley from its slopes. The most beautiful are probably granted by Löwenstein due to its elevated position. “Each of the ten most beautiful vantage points in Löwenstein has its own motto and was designed by a local artist,” says hotelier Michael Roger. So if you want to know what is hidden behind sofa whispers or twittering rooms, you should just take a look. The tower of Löwenstein Castle offers one of the most beautiful views. It enables an all-round view of the Löwenstein mountains, the Weinsberger valley and the Odenwald.

Löwenstein Castle

Löwenstein Castle was built around 1090. Today only the foundation walls are left next to the tower. Nevertheless, the extensive castle grounds are a popular meeting place with a barbecue area and a kiosk. There are guided tours of the castle as well as a castle program with various activities and live music. At 539 meters, the Stocksberg in the Swabian Forest is the highest mountain in the Löwenstein Mountains. Many hiking trails lead up. More information about Löwenstein Castle here.

Not only the former Löwenstein Castle is part of the diverse cultural landscape of the Weinsberger Valley. On the other side of the valley, above Weinsberg, is the Weibertreu castle ruin and a wine museum is housed in the former tithe barn in Erlenbach-Binswangen. The Obersulm-Weiler school and toy museum takes visitors back in time. In the most Swabian of all museums, the Bauspar Museum in Wüstenrot, visitors can find all sorts of interesting facts about the Bausparkasse.

Viticulture has a long tradition in the Weinsberger Valley. The heavy Keuper soils, the colorful marl and the sunny climate allow excellent grapes to ripen, from which the winemakers press particularly good wines with a lot of love and know-how. They are served in the restaurants in the Weinsberger Valley and in numerous taverns. Also in the Flair Hotel Landgasthof Roger. “We also like to take our guests on a hike in the vineyards,” says Michael Roger. “There is then a wine tasting with a local winemaker.”