Discover Durlangen: Nature and History

Durlangen lies on the southeastern edge of the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park, between the valleys of the Kocher and Rems rivers. The landscape and long history of settlement give the area its distinctive character. For your trip, you can focus on nature, trails, and culture: the “Grüner Pfad” (Green Trail) appeals to people who enjoy hiking or cycling, while the historical records date back to the Early Middle Ages. You can also plan your journey using the road and bus connections.

Natural landscapes between valleys and ridges

Durlangen lies in the Lias uplands of the Schurwald and Welzheimer Wald natural region. Keuper slopes lie along its western, southern, and eastern edges. This means you can view the surrounding area both in terms of its position between the Kocher Valley and Rems Valley and its classification as a natural region. The Leintal Nature Reserve is also part of the regional landscape: Durlangen and Spraitbach jointly account for 29 hectares of the area between Leinecksee and Leinhäusle. The stated area refers to the two municipalities’ combined share.

Circular routes and historic sights

The “Grüner Pfad Ostalbkreis” (Ostalb District Green Trail) is a series of circular routes for cyclists, hikers, and people seeking recreation. The trail is associated with a distinctive landscape; historic sights can be found along the way, with farms along the routes. This brings landscape and history together in one range of routes. If you are interested in both, this combination offers a shared starting point for your plans. Check the latest trail details before setting out.

Settlement history and St. Anna Chapel

Durlangen began as an Alemannic woodland-clearance settlement in the 7th or 8th century and was first mentioned in a document in 1362. The two dates highlight different aspects: one points to the early settlement period, while the other marks the first written mention. In Tanau, St. Anna Chapel has a Romanesque nave and tower as well as a Late Gothic choir. The different building phases can thus be distinguished in the individual parts of the building. The chapel is also a destination for many pilgrims each year. Here, architectural history and religious tradition stand side by side.

Plan your journey

Durlangen is connected to the B298 via the K3257 district road and can be reached by bus from Schwäbisch Gmünd station. If you are travelling by public transport, check the current timetable for your travel date. This lets you factor the bus journey into your plans without relying on a particular departure time.

More to explore in the Ostalb District

The wider Ostalb District travel destination offers themed trails focused on history and culture, as well as scenic walks to lakes, rock formations, and caves. One of the region’s three “grüner pfad – Erlebnistouren” (Green Trail Experience Tours) is “Rund ums Leintal und Frickenhofer Höhe” (Around the Leintal Valley and Frickenhofer Heights). The Ostalb Cycle Route runs through the Ostalb District and covers around 305 kilometres. It is divided into six stages and nine connecting routes, which can be combined as you wish; the route also crosses district boundaries several times. Another hiking option in the district is the Limes Circular Hiking Trail near Rainau: it is about 11 kilometres long and takes roughly two and a half hours on foot. These regional details offer different scales for planning—from themed trails to a long cycling circuit or a hiking route with a stated walking time.

Discover more destinations: Böbingen An Der Rems, Tannhausen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Heubach, Abtsgmünd, Gschwend, Mutlangen, Ellenberg.

Go to the main travel overview: Ostalb District.