Giengen an der Brenz: Steiff Museum and Albschäferweg

For a hotel stay in Giengen an der Brenz, the Steiff Museum and the Albschäferweg offer two concrete points of interest: the museum is a three-minute walk from Giengen railway station, and the long-distance hiking trail begins in the town. A guided tour of Charlottenhöhle and trails of different lengths round out your trip planning. Depending on whether you are interested in museums, caves or hiking, the activities differ in subject, format and scope.

Steiff Museum and Wooden Sculpture Adventure Trail

The Steiff Museum is a three-minute walk from Giengen railway station. This is a useful reference point if you are arriving by train and plan to include a museum visit in your day. The museum covers 2,400 square metres across three floors. Its exhibits present both the history of Steiff and how its plush toys are made. This places historical and craft-related themes side by side; the details about the floor area and number of floors also give you an idea of the museum’s size.

The Wooden Sculpture Adventure Trail leads from the Steiff Museum to the Anlägle Adventure Playground. The route is 0.48 kilometres long and rated easy. It tells the story of the unicorn Panschi, and a puzzle booklet with activities for children is also available. The start and end points are clearly identified, as are the route’s length and theme. If you are travelling with children, you can include the puzzle booklet as part of the trail experience.

Charlottenhöhle and the History of the Earth

Charlottenhöhle is 532 metres long and the longest accessible dripstone cave in the Swabian Alb. It was discovered in 1893 by three carpenters from Hürben and named after Queen Charlotte of Württemberg. The Time Travel Trail to the cave entrance also features archaeological finds: its eight stops are linked to local discoveries.

The cave can only be visited as part of a guided tour, which lasts about an hour. The temperature inside the cave is around 9°C year-round. Allow about an hour for the tour and expect cool conditions even in the warmer months. As visiting arrangements may change, check the latest visitor information in advance. HöhlenSchauLand offers another way to explore the subject, with an entertaining presentation of the history of the Earth.

Hiking: a short themed trail or a long-distance route

The Albschäferweg begins in Giengen an der Brenz and consists of ten stages. The certified long-distance hiking trail is 158 kilometres long in total and passes through a cultural landscape shaped by shepherding; it is dedicated to shepherds and their flocks. The Wooden Sculpture Adventure Trail and the Albschäferweg differ considerably in scale: the short trail is 0.48 kilometres long and connects the museum with a playground, while the Albschäferweg is a long-distance route divided into ten stages. If hiking is a priority, the starting point, total distance and thematic focus will help you decide which route suits your stay.

Landscapes in the wider Heidenheim destination

The wider Heidenheim destination is characterised by karst features, lively rivers, forests and heathland in the Heidenheim Brenz region. The 52-kilometre-long Brenz River flows through the region. Within the wider Heidenheim destination, the Eselsburger Tal is by far the most valuable habitat in the district of Heidenheim for amphibians and reptiles. These regional landscape features offer a further perspective alongside the specific museum, cave and hiking activities.

Discover more destinations: Heidenheim an der Brenz, Nattheim, Steinheim am Albuch, Gerstetten, Herbrechtingen, Niederstotzingen, Königsbronn, Dischingen.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Heidenheim.