Lion trail "Ave-Weg" - A touch of pilgrimage on the Albtrauf

The approximately 8.5-kilometre tour starts below the Ave Maria pilgrimage church and leads along the Franziskuspfad trail via "Alt Ave" up to the Alb plateau. From the Kilianskreuz you have the first fantastic view down into the Filstal valley. The trail continues along the steep edge of the Trauf to Berneck, where you can stop for refreshments.

Shortly afterwards, you reach the Buschelkapelle chapel, which stands within the former Berneck castle. There is an old well there, which unfortunately no longer carries water. All that remains of the castle itself are earth walls that suggest its former size.

After a leisurely stroll along the Trauf, you reach the "Affenbaum" (monkey tree) with a fabulous view of the Ave Maria pilgrimage church and the Nordalb with its Hutewald forest. The trail continues over the Oberbergfels with further views of the "Goißatäle" and then descends steeply back to the starting point.

You can reach Deggingen by car via the A8, Stuttgart - Ulm, exit Mühlhausen in the direction of Geislingen an der Steige (B 466) or via the B10, exit in Geislingen an der Steige in the direction of Deggingen.

Navigation to the starting point with Google Maps

In Geislingen/Steige there is a connection to the MEX and RE trains of the Filstalbahn on the Stuttgart-Ulm route. From Geislingen ZOB take bus no. 966 to the bus stop "Deggingen, Ave Maria" and from there it is a 2-minute walk to the starting point at the Ave Maria parking lot.

You can find the district timetable at: www.vvs.de/fahrplan

Respectful cooperation in the district of Göppingen.

Code of conduct:

Respect trail closures and the quiet zones developed in the leisure trail concept. Leave no traces such as garbage and animal droppings, treat your path with care. Act with foresight and consideration. Adapt your behavior to the situation at hand. Safety first. Respect other users of the forest and meadows. Be considerate of animals and plants. Plan ahead and make the most of daylight. Try to avoid dusk in the morning and evening. Observe the ban on entering agricultural land during the growing season. Stay on the designated paths and avoid the edges of the forest so that wild animals can get used to people better.

More information at www.ruecksicht-macht-wege-breiter.de

The Ave Maria pilgrimage church in Deggingen impresses with its special atmosphere and is well worth a visit.

Delicious cakes can be found in the cozy "Spezerei" of the Kräuterhaus Sanct Bernhard or in Café Köhler.

Those who love natural products should browse through the salesroom of the Kräuterhaus - a paradise for the health-conscious.

The Vinzenz Therme in Bad Ditzenbach provides relaxation, ideal for unwinding after a hike.