Erbach – Castle, Church and Circular Routes

Erbach in the Alb-Donau district combines historic architecture with opportunities for hiking, cycling and swimming. Erbach Castle and St. Martin’s Church offer distinct architectural features, while the routes around Erbach and the bathing area provide further ideas for a stay. If you’re looking for hotels in Erbach, you can first decide whether architectural history, active days or time by the water should shape your stay.

Castle and St. Martin’s: Distinct Architectural Histories

Erbach Castle on the Danube is a Renaissance building on a hill above the town. Its double-gabled façade, with four squat round towers and distinctive stepped gables, shapes its appearance. The castle also contains a Renaissance room with a South Tyrolean faience stove.

St. Martin’s Church adds a different architectural history to the Renaissance building. A Baroque church, it was built in 1767 on the site of a demolished Late Gothic church and is considered one of the most beautiful small Rococo churches in Upper Swabia. Twenty frescoes by Franz Martin Kuen cover the vaulted surfaces of the church interior. The bell tower is 45.80 metres high and topped with a Welsche hood. Erbach is also on the Upper Swabian Baroque Route.

On Foot and by Bike

Erbach has ten circular hiking trails. They pass biotopes and bird sanctuaries and offer insights into Erbach’s history through chapels, castles and Celtic settlement remains. The Way of St. James follows a different route: it passes directly through the town, offering pilgrims and hikers a route through Erbach. This means the circular trails, with their links to nature and history, are an alternative to a route through the town. In the Alb-Donau district, 20 Ice Age Paths offer another hiking option; they are 6 to 14 kilometres long and suitable for day hikes.

Erbach is on the Danube Cycle Path and is a hub for regional and long-distance cycling routes. Options range from shorter day trips to multi-day cycling tours. For your planning, the time available is a natural point of difference: a shorter ride as an outing or several days on the bike.

Schlossberg, Bathing Area and Summer Programme

Erbach’s Schlossberg rises 50 metres above the Danube valley and shapes the town and surrounding landscape. The Erbach bathing area offers a peaceful, natural setting with spacious sunbathing areas, shady spots and plenty of play opportunities for children, as well as places to swim, rest and relax. Free, unstaffed parking and bicycle parking are available at the bathing area. It operates seasonally and may be subject to change; check whether it is open before planning a visit.

During the summer months, the courtyard of Erbach Castle is one of the town’s open-air venues for cultural events. If you’d like to combine your stay with a cultural programme, check the specific event dates.

Discover more destinations: Staig, Börslingen, Holzkirch, Ehingen, Emerkingen, Blaustein, Schelklingen, Öllingen

Go to the main travel overview: Alb-Donau district.