Camping in the Swabian Alb

The southern German low mountain range stretches 220 km long and 60 km wide from the south-west of Baden-Württemberg to Bavaria. Thanks to vast forests and juniper heaths, the region, which stretches up to an altitude of 1,000 metres, offers a wide range of activities from nature camping to camping in the mountains with a dog. Bizarre stalactite caves and fossil sites from the Jurassic period in the UNESCO Global Geopark are also fascinating. Castles and palaces inspire those interested in culture in the towns from Ulm to Reutlingen.

Special features of camping in the Swabian Alb in Germany

The Swabian Alb is ideal for an active holiday with the whole family. While the south of the region is gently undulating and ideal for walking, the northern edge of the Albtrauf is mountainous. With some steep cliffs, the area is also a challenging holiday destination for hikers and mountain bikers when camping.

The campsites in the Swabian Alb are located around the largest karst area in Germany. It fascinates with caves, sinkholes and dry valleys from eroded prehistoric forms and is therefore also extremely interesting for geologists.

Campers in the Swabian Jura will also find suitable pitches for their motorhome near picturesque villages with mountain ruins and idyllic monasteries that will also appeal to those interested in culture.

How to get there

Visitors coming from the south of Germany do not have far to travel to the camper paradise of the Swabian Alb. This is crossed by the A7 and A8 motorways, which intersect east of Ulm. It is around 255 kilometres from the Bavarian capital of Munich to Tübingen and the A8 motorway between Munich and Stuttgart crosses the Central Alb at Merklingen.

If you take the A7 motorway between Würzburg and Kempten on your way to the Swabian Jura, you will cross the Eastern Jura and can drive directly towards Ulm and make a short stop. Among other things, you can admire the highest church tower in the world. It is possible to continue via the B311, so that you can reach the Danube valley from the east.

Visitors who want to reach their destination via the western flank of the Alb can take the A81 motorway from Stuttgart towards Singen. They can then easily enter the Upper Danube Valley via the B14. In spring and autumn, drivers must be prepared for sudden icy conditions on the ascent to the Alb.

Destinations in the Swabian Alb, Germany

Interesting villages are nestled in the natural surroundings of the Geopark. From Tübingen to Lichtenstein Castle and the episcopal town of Rottenburg am Neckar, the beautiful, striking half-timbered apartment blocks almost rival the palaces and castles of the Alb.

Venerable university town of Tübingen

The pretty university town of Tübingen is not only worth a visit because of the famous Cistercian monastery of Bebenhausen. Those who find their way up to the tower of the 15th century collegiate church will be rewarded with a fabulous view. Inside, the sarcophagi of former Württemberg rulers can be viewed. After a steep climb, the 400-year-old Tübingen Castle awaits visitors.

Castles and ruins in Gundelfingen

Down in the Lautertal valley in Gundelfingen, you can visit the Anton Geiselhart Museum. Works by the local artist are on display. Above, following the signposts, visitors will discover the ruins of Hohengundelfingen Castle. Many say it is the most beautiful in the valley - the view of Niedergundelfingen Castle on the Umlaufberg is definitely guaranteed.

River beauty: Rottenburg am Neckar

The Celts and Romans once colonised Rottenburg am Neckar between the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest. Even today, the successful mixture of the medieval town centre with its narrow alleyways and the wide squares along the Neckar promenade attracts many visitors to the episcopal town. As befits the urbs pia, the pious city, the town is adorned with churches, chapels and a diocesan museum. The Cathedral of St Martin is impossible to miss.

Activities and excursions

The low mountain range can be discovered in many different ways: Visitors can experience the volcanic history of the Swabian Alb up close while hiking or observe the beauty of the mountain peaks from above.

Explorers get to work

The Swabian Jura is ideal for a discovery tour with the whole family and is a special treat for geologists. In Dotternhausen and Holzmaden, there is a popular tapping site to get active thanks to the widespread fossil-rich slate rock. With a bit of luck, nature lovers will discover shimmering golden ammonites, corals, crocodiles or melted scaly fish as well as fossilised shells, all of which were washed up from the depths of the sea almost 200 million years ago.

A trip up into the air

Those who love heights can book a balloon ride over the southern German low mountain range. Visitors can look out over the Albanstieg, which the poet Eduard Mörike once described as a blue wall: the magnificent panorama of table mountains, far-reaching rocky ridges with high white pinnacles, extinct volcanoes and castle spires is particularly fascinating. When the wind is favourable and drives the balloonists eastwards, the Staufenberge can be seen as three towering cones.

Gastronomy

Swabian cuisine is filling and is considered hearty home cooking. The basic ingredients are potatoes, spaetzle, meat and sausage - refined with some (cabbage) vegetables.

Leftovers are also served in restaurants: potato schnitzel with spaetzle or the Gaisburger Marsch stew are on the menu alongside all forms of the famous spaetzle. The homemade pasta noodles are served with roast or sauerbraten, while lentils with spaetzle are guaranteed to delight vegetarians.

The tasty Maultaschen, stuffed dumplings with a hearty meat filling, are also a Swabian favourite. The flavoursome potato salad is a great accompaniment. Thanks to the many flocks of sheep in the meadows and fields, a good roast lamb can also be found on the daily menu. For dessert, homemade Ofenschlupfer and steamed dumplings from the patisserie are a treat for the palate.

Best time to visit

The altitude of the Swabian Alb means that the climate is harsher than in the foothills. Temperatures are almost 3 to 5 degrees lower, i.e. an annual average of between 4 and 7 degrees.

In January, temperatures drop to -2 degrees and winter camping is possible on the high plateaus of the Swabian Alb. In July, the average temperature is around 15 degrees, making it the best time for a relaxing family holiday.

In autumn and winter, visitors discover the following weather phenomenon when camping in some places: it can be sunny and warm on the Alb plateau, but the Neckar foreland or the Danube valley can almost disappear in fog. This means that you can see as far as the Alps from the Alb plateau.