Swabian Jura

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Topography of the Swabian Alb

The Swabian Alb, formerly known as the Swabian Jura or Schwabenalb, is a nearly 200 -km-long mountain range in southern Germany. It consists of Mesozoic Jurassic limestone and is mostly situated in Baden- Württemberg, but moved with his Northeast foothills to Bavaria. The Alb is a divided by erosion influences plateau which is bounded to the northwest by a very distinctive steep drop, on the other hand abdacht gently to the southeast and merges there beyond the upper Danube valley in the foothills of the Alps.

The northwestern steep drop is called Albtrauf and separates the Alb plateau from Albvorland. In the north- east, the mountain range ends at the Ries. To the southwest it can be demarcated by the Swabian- Alemannic language border down in Tuttlingen and Spaichingen, but often are more areas object of observation (see Nature regions ). The length of the range is about 180 km, the width of 35-40 km.

Geologically, the Swabian Alb is a layer level and as such member of the Southwest German cuesta land. It is also part of the Jura mountains landscape between Basel and Coburg. This panel Jura landscape in turn is folded Jura and Franconian mountains part of the Jura mountain ranges between Geneva and Nuremberg.

• 2.1 formation in the Jurassic sea
• 2.2 marine fossils, karst formations and volcanoes
• 2.3 soils
• 2.4 earthquake
• 2.5 caves

• 5.1 Flora
• 5.2 Fauna 5.2.1 Invertebrates
• 5.2.2 birds
• 5.2.3 Mammals

• 7.1 trails
• 7.2 Rock Climbing
• 7.3 Winter Sports
• 7.4 Scenic Routes and Motorsport
• 7.5 Culture

Geography

Part landscapes

Some, but not all of the Swabian Alb have traditional own name. There are also newer, assigned by geographers names. The regions of the Jura mountains from Baaralb ( in part ) to the Basel Jura mountains are not, strictly speaking more to the Swabian Alb ( language border in Spaichingen and Tuttlingen ), but mainly areas are north of the Rhine often counted to her.

Subregions approximately from northeast to southwest: Riesalb, Härtesfeld Albuch, Heidenheim, Alb, Low Alb, Stubersheimer Alb, Ulmer Alb, Hochsträß, Blaubeurer Alb, Uracher Alb ( Front Alb and Rear Alb), Münsinger Alb, Lutheran mountains, District Court, Reutlinger Alb, Zwiefalter Alb, Tautschbuch, Zollernalb, Big Heuberg.

Sub-regions of the Jura mountains in the Alemannic region: Baaralb, Hegaualb, Randen, Unterklettgau Jura, Aargau Jura mountains, Jura mountains around Basel.

Nature regions

The Federal Institute for Regional Studies has organized since the 1950s in the manual of the biogeographic division of Germany and in subsequent single sheets 1:200,000 Germany in natural spatial part landscapes. The Swabian Alb is, along with it to the northeast continuing Franconian Alb, majority is greater region 3rd order of the South West German country levels ( Greater Region 2nd order ). As with the Gäuen ( limestone, 12-13 ) and Keuper- Lias countries ( 10-11 ), the Jurassic Dogger - Malm and landscapes in a Swabian (09 ) and a Franconian (08) divided main unit group whose dividing line is addressed more by physical than by cultural aspects. Especially in the Swabian and Franconian Alb, the dividing line corresponds to the south of the Ries also to popular sharing.

→ Main article: Nature regions of the Swabian Alb

What follows is divided the Swabian Alb three-digit main units:

• 09 [= D60 ] Swabian Alb 090 ( Swiss ) beetroot ( Unterklettgau and Randenalb )
• 091 Hegaualb
• 092 Baaralb and Upper Danube Valley
• 093 High Schwabenalb
• 094 Middle Kuppenalb
• 095 Middle Flächenalb
• 096 Albuch and Härtsfeld
• 097 Lonetal - Flächenalb ( Low Flächenalb )
• 098 Riesalb

Topography

The escarpment, the northwestern edge of the mountains, provides an up to 400 meters high, mostly steep escarpment dar. The contrast geomorphological elusive southeast edge can be marked by the descent of the Jurassic geological layers below the molasse of the alpine upland. Just north of the southern border has, during the Miocene, through the upper Molasse a locally up today well-preserved cliff ( cliff heroes finger ) was developed. This cliff line extends from Tuttlingen in the southwest to Donauwörth in the Northeast.

The Swabian Alb constituent layers are unfolded and tilted. The " collapse " of the surface layer occurs from northwest to southeast. The average altitude take not only to Southeast. Also from the Grand Heuberg starting the height values ​​to the southwest and northeast are lower.

Distinct peaks mountains are not typical of the Swabian Alb. The highest points are for the most part along the Albtrauf. Erosion has before and the steep drop numerous outrigger, mountain peninsulas and mountains witness the consequence associated with the layer level of the Albkörpers. A pronounced Zertalung is found both in the area of ​​Albtrauf as well as in the internal area. The much-cited notion of " Swabian Alb " therefore applies only to the areas between the valleys. These plateaus can be in the northwest Kuppenalb with small-scale unsteady - relief and high proportions of forest and grassland, and the southeastern, more agriculturally used Flächenalb members ( cliff line).

The highest elevations in the Albkörpers extend to just over 1000 meters. They are all found in the southwestern part of the Alps, especially in the area of the Great Heuberg. Below is a list of surveys at or above 1000 meters: Lemberg (1015 m, the highest point of the Swabian Alb), Oberhohenberg (1011 m), Hochberg ( 1009 m), Wandbühl ( 1007 m), balks (1006 m), Mont 's hole ( 1004 m), Plettenberg (1002 m), Bol (1002 m ), high forest (1002 m), Hummelberg (1002 m), throats (1001 m), Sheep mountain (1000 m).

Witnesses mountains are (based on the step forming rock layer ) is no longer connected to the Escarpment and are usually freierodiert before the escarpment. If there are standing in front of the escarpment mountains of volcanic origin, they are geologically "pseudo - witnesses mountains ". Below is a list of witnesses mountains, with or without residual layer surface, sorted from northeast to southwest. Items marked with " (V ) " Mountains have a volcanic core that is responsible for their creation to a great extent. Witnesses mountains without layer surface: Ipf ( 668 m), Stuifen (757 m), Rechenberg (707 m), Hohenstaufen ( 684 m), Limburg ( 597 m ), Florian mountain ( 522 m) ( V) Achalm (707 m), George Berg (602 m) ( V), Zoller ( 855 m), Hohenkarpfen (912 m), Lupfen ( 977 m). Witnesses mountains with layer surface: Hesselnberg ( 689 m), Scheuelberg (717 m), Cold field (781 m), Mount of Heroes ( 726 m), Michel Berg ( 751.2 m), Farrenberg (820 m), Filsenberg (805 m), Platform plaice of Burgfelden with army mountain ( 964 m), Hundsrücken ( 931 m), perforated brick ( 963 m), Sheep mountain (1000 m), Plettenberg (1002 m).

The Hesselnberg part of nature spatially Although rather to the Franconian Alb, but is geographically in the dialect vorschwäbischen area ( Swabian- Franconian transition region with predominance Swabian features). Other areas of the western Frankish Alb on the eastern edge of the Ries located in Swabia, Swabian- Franconian or Swabian- Bavarian dialect area.

Unlike witnesses mountains Ausliegerberge are still essentially connected with the layer level. Below is a list of Ausliegern, with or without residual layer surface, sorted from northeast to southwest. Items marked with " (V ) " Mountains have a volcanic core that is responsible for their creation to a great extent. Outrigger without surface layer: Hohenneuffen ( 743 m), Jusi ( 673 m) ( V), with Hoernle (707 m), Urach Castle Hill ( 692 m), Round Mountain (711 m). Outrigger with layer surface: Teckberg (775 m), Gräbelesberg ( 915 m).

Geology

Formation in the Jurassic sea

The Alb is an escarpment of the South German cuesta land; they do consists of sedimentary marine deposits in the form of mighty layers of clay, limestone and marl. These rocks were formed during the Jurassic period at the bottom of a sea that covered large parts of Europe from about 200 to 150 million years ago. The Jurassic rocks form three main formations. After their color, a distinction locally from bottom to top Lias ( Black Jura), Dogger ( Brauner Jura) and Malm ( White Jura).

The rocks of the Jurassic black shales and are colored by a high content of bitumen and pyrite. One also speaks (falsely ) of oil shale. This rock occurs at the foot of Albtrauf and is famous for its finds of ichthyosaurs. The best way to look at this in wood or maggots in the fossil museum of the Holcim plant in Forum Dotternhausen in the primeval world - Museum Hauff.

The layers of the Brown Jura, sandy- clayey marl, get their brown color with a very high content of iron. This iron was mined in Wasseralfingen in eels as oolitic iron ore.

The White Jura, which forms the escarpment of the Albtrauf, consists of almost pure calcite, which was deposited in an oxygen- rich and vibrant sea. It is characterized by an alternating sequence of marls, limestone beds and Massenkalken ( reefs ). The in a number of large quarries - for example, at Plettenberg near Dotternhausen in Schelkingen and grave Stetten - mined limestone for cement production and used as road gravel. High-purity limestone - CaCO3 content is partly about 99% - are obtained in Blautal at Ulm and Ulm sold as white to the chemical industry in the world.

In all Jurassic sediments diverse fossils are included, which can be easily found on a hike itself. The geologist Friedrich August von Quenstedt created the eponymous structure of the South German Jura Based on the typical for the respective layer index fossils.

Marine fossils, karst formations and volcanoes

The Swabian Alb is one of the largest continuous karst areas in Germany. The water-soluble limestone is washed out, so as to form caves, sinkholes and dry valleys. Dry valleys are ancient forms. One way of their creation is the lowering of the base level of erosion in the area of water-permeable rocks and lowering of the water table. Dry valleys may have occurred even under cold conditions of time in areas with permeable rocks. This was made possible because permafrost had prevented the water seepage.

As a result of karstification, the Alb very few surface water. The drainage is about 150 to 200 meters deep into the rock shifted and carried out by chasms and caves. According to the alternating sequence of permeable limestones and clayey marls marveling two storeys karst have formed in Albkörper.

One of the most famous caves is the blue pot cave with the blue pot as a drain. Many caves are developed as show caves - including the deepest cave shaft Walkin Germany, the Laichinger deep cave, and one of the longest show caves in southern Germany, the Charlotte cave - and can be viewed safely. Others can be visited as part of hiking on your own. Various geological and karstkundliche trails allow the interested layman to recognize and understand many of these features.

In addition to the karst features, there are other geological phenomena: the Swabian volcano and the Steinheim Basin. Due to its geological diversity and particularities of the Swabian Alb in 2002 was awarded as National Geopark in Germany. 2004 saw the recognition as a European Geopark and 2005, the recognition by UNESCO.

On the southern edge of the Swabian Alb occur tertiary deposits, which form the surface. Particularly well known is the Erminger Turritellenplatte in Ulm, which is famous for its marine fossil wealth.

Soils

The resulting from the Jurassic soils are mostly heavy and clayey, locally also loose and crumbly. In addition to deep soils, there are also sites with very low ground bearing. Typical soils include: rendzina, terra fusca and brown earth Pelosol.

Earthquake

The Swabian Alb is one of the most earthquake- and - vulnerable zones of Germany. For more severe earthquake occurred in the years 1911, 1943 and 1978 in Albstadt- shear zone. In the quake on September 3, 1978, whose epicenter is in Albstadt, a thickness of 5.7 was measured on the Richter scale. There was thus considerable damage to buildings and 25 injured. Since 2005, around Albstadt one of the most vulnerable zone 3 according to DIN 4149, a particularly earthquake-resistant construction is accordingly in this zone prescribed.

The Swabian Alb is a karst area, in which are about 2,500 known caves. Some of these are developed as show caves:

• Charlottenhöhle
• Gußmannshöhle
• Good Berger cave
• Charles and Bear's Den

• Kolbinger cave
• Laichinger Tiefenhöhle
• Nebelhöhle
• Olga cave

• Schertelshöhle
• Sontheimer Höhle
• Wimsener cave
• Zwiesel villages stalactite cave

Climate and vegetation

Due to its geographical location, the climate in the Swabian Alb rough and mostly 3-5 ° C cooler than in the foothills. The average annual temperature is on the Alb 4-7 ° C, in January, the long-term average is at -2 ° C and in July around 15 ° C. Overall, the temperatures are quite cold for low mountain range and are comparable to temperatures significantly higher southern Black Forest.

Since the preferred weather side is the north west, the escarpment listed by the orographic rainfall significantly higher rainfall than the deeper Albvorland, while the rainfall Ostalb direction due to the lower heights rather take off. The Great Heuberg falls in this respect something out of the ordinary, because despite the higher altitude there fall no more rainfall (about 1000 to 1100 mm per year) than in the middle between Reutlingen and Alb Göppingen. This can be explained by its proximity to the Black Forest and the resulting rain shadow, which extends up to the Heuberg.

In autumn and winter, sometimes make a so-called inversion weather conditions, where it is then sunny and warmer on the Swabian Alb, while the Neckar and the Danube valley is located in the foothills of cold mist. On those days there on the Alb plateau then often distant view to the Alps.

The landscape of the Swabian Alb has a rather harsh, bitter character and is marked on the plateau mainly of forests, meadows and sheep caused by the junipers, while the towering steep on the northern foreshore escarpment rather presented with craggy rock faces. The poor, stony soils of the Alps are generally considered not very profitable, yet also large-scale farming is operated in some parts of the Swabian Alb, particularly in the area of ​​Low and Ulmer Alb, but also on the Great Heuberg.

Drainage

Rainwater seeps predominantly in the clefts of the karst mountains and passes back to the surface in karst springs. After a relatively short distances it gets to the large natural receiving waters, the river Neckar in the north and the Danube in the south. Two main types of karst springs can be distinguished:

• Layer and overflow wells, primarily on the escarpment, where the water is released after a short residence time (hours to days).
• Withdrawals from caves or siphons of caves, mainly on the southeastern slope of the Alps.

In both species, the bed is often very large and / or highly variable. On the Danube, which breaks through the Alps between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen, occurs in Immendingen with the Donauversinkung a geological feature on.

Dyeing tests showed that the watershed runs near the escarpment.

The most important rivers of the Swabian Alb, divided into the two main river systems are:

Danube river system:

• Ach ( blue), tributary of the Blue
• Bara, tributary of the Danube
• Beaver Brook (Donau), tributary of the Danube
• Blue, tributary of the Danube
• Brenz, tributary of the Danube
• Braunsel, tributary of the Danube
• Danube, Special: Donauversickerung
• Egau, tributary of the Danube
• ( Great) Lauter, a tributary of the Danube

• Lone, on the Hürbe tributary of the Brenz
• ( Small ) Lauter, a tributary of the Blue
• Lauchert, tributary of the Danube
• Schmiech, tributary of the Danube
• Schmiecha ( Schmeie ), tributary of the Danube
• Zwiefalter Aach, tributary of the Danube

Rhine river system:

• Echaz, tributary of the Neckar
• Erms, tributary of the Neckar
• Eyach, tributary of the Neckar
• Fils, tributary of the Neckar
• Chase, tributary of the Neckar
• Krumm, tributary of the Fils
• Lauter, a tributary of the Fils

• Lauter, tributary of the Neckar
• Lindachstraße, tributary of the Lauter
• Boiler, tributary of the Neckar
• Rems, tributary of the Neckar
• Schlichem, tributary of the Neckar
• Starzel, tributary of the Neckar
• Steinach, tributary of the Neckar
• Steinlach, tributary of the Neckar

Ecology

Flora

The Swabian Alb low mountain range has as a part of sub-alpine vegetation. The botanical emblem of the Swabian Alb is the silver thistle. On the junipers and south-facing slopes grow beside the silver often the smaller gold thistle and the Carthusian Elke. The rather rare in lowland grass lily is the flower meadows of the Alps also a suitable growth site.

Several types of gentian bloom on the Swabian Alb. In spring, the spring gentian transforms the Albflächen in a real color carpet. On the Münsinger Alb grow several native species of orchids, which are all protected. Sunny places also preferred the mountain aster, which is just under 50 inches high. A greater incidence of Ordinary Pasque there are, among others, in the Swabian Alb near Bopfingen.

In the ravine forests of the Swabian Alb bloom in spring, among others, the daffodils, the blue star and yellow star. A little later, follow the colorful Türkenbund and monkshood.

Fauna

The Swabian Alb, with its variety of different habitats for numerous animal species a suitable habitat.

Invertebrates

Junipers and south-facing slope and rock faces are home to a variety of butterflies and heat -loving insects. The rare Apollo butterfly ( Parnassius apollo ), there is only one place where the Münsinger Alb. The swallowtail ( Papilio machaon) can be observed in the Gipfelbalz and flowers. The Blue -winged grasshopper ( Oedipoda caerulescens ) It likes to on wasteland and boulder fields. Also, the more likely in the Alps -based, rare longicorn ( Rosalia alpina) arrives at the Reutlinger Alb and very rare north of it before, when beech trees may rot.

Rocks and cliffs also provide nesting sites for eagle owl ( Bubo bubo), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Raven (Corvus corax). Strict Horst guard by conservationists and temporarily pronounced climbing ban is to ensure that the eagle owl and the peregrine falcon can raise their young in peace. A larger Jackdaw colony is located near Sigmaringen in the vicinity of the castle. Also Tawny Owl and Barn Owl are found.

In 2007, a few vultures kept (Gyps fulvus ) on the Münsinger Alb. Due to lack of food at their regular places in Spain, the vultures fly hundreds of miles in other European regions. Griffon vultures were to the 19th century in the Danube valley still at home.

Wet meadows in the valleys of the Alps and to the riparian zones in the Danube Valley, see the gray heron (Ardea cinerea), the white stork (Ciconia ciconia), and occasionally the black stork (Ciconia nigra ) and the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus ) enough food.

Mammals

The rocky landscape of the Danube valley offers the chamois (Rupicapra Rupicapra ) tailored to their needs area. The chamois of the Swabian Alb come originally from the Alps. The population of the Swabian Alb is due to the exposure of fewer animals a few decades ago, but this is unfavorable for the rare vegetation of rock outcrops.

Sporadic evidence of the lynx (Lynx lynx) were reported from the Danube Valley in recent years, which is also thought to be extinct actually since the 19th century.

In addition, the common game red fox, roe deer, wild boar and martens are found in the Swabian Alb. Deer do not exist.

Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve

Large parts of the Middle Alps and their foothills were reported on 31 January 2008 as the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve by the State of Baden- Wuerttemberg. The establishment of the 85 270 -hectare area dates back to the abolition of the training area Münsingen in 2005 and is the first biosphere reserve in Baden -Württemberg. Since 26 May 2009, the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Settlements

Unlike other low mountains of the Swabian Alb was settled very early. It is by the most famous, reaching back to the Paleolithic sites, especially at the edge of the Nordlinger Ries refrain Lone and blue or Aachtal because they show as evidence of a glacial use by hunter-gatherers in principle no permanent settlement.

In the early Neolithic period, the time of the Linear Pottery Culture, first farmers on the Ulmer Alb were established. A neolithic village at Ehrenstein dated already in a younger phase of the Neolithic. From the Bronze Age and Hallstatt period many grave mounds are preserved. With the Heuneburg created in the 6th century BC a first " proto- urban center ." The following Latèneperiode the oppidum Heidegraben at grave Stetten was born. With the advance of the Romans in the 1st century AD, the escarpment was briefly the national boundary ( Alblimes ).

After the Roman period and the fall of the Limes Alb was settled very quickly. On the rounds near Bad Urach a Alamannic princely residence established. He painted numerous villages and castles, but relatively few monasteries (eg Zwiesel ). Many cities were not beyond the status of a small town.

About 900 meters lying and thus highest villages of the Swabian Alb are Heinstetten (914 m), Bubsheim (912 m), Burgfelden (912 m), Böttingen (911 m), Meßstetten (907 m) and Heath Town (903 m).

Larger and major cities and towns on or at the edge of the Swabian Alb, in alphabetical order:

• Aalen, 67,100 inhabitants. Limesmuseum, cooker, visitor mine Tiefer Stollen
• Albstadt, 46,700 inhabitants. Army mountain, Raichberg, Schalksburg, Zeller Horn
• Bad Urach, 12,800 inhabitants. Urach waterfall, Round Mountain, Erin's, Falkensteiner Cave
• Balingen, 34,300 inhabitants. Punching, Sheep Mountain, Zollernschloss
• Blaubeuren, 12,870 inhabitants. Blue pot, Monastery, Museum of Prehistoric
• Blaustein, 15,150 inhabitants. Lauter
• Bopfingen, 12,616 inhabitants. Ipf
• Burladingen, 13,000 inhabitants.
• Oberdischingen, 4500 Ew. Burg Katzenstein
• Ehingen (Donau), 25,900 inhabitants. Danube
• Eningen under Achalm, 10,965 O.: Achalm
• Eislingen, 20,300 inhabitants.
• Fridingen, 3200 Ew. Donauversickerung, castle Bronnen
• Gammertingen, 6800 Ew.
• Geislingen, 27,800 inhabitants.
• Giengen 19 666 Ew. Charlottenhöhle, The World of Steiff
• Göppingen, 58,000 inhabitants. Hohenstaufen
• Hayingen, 2220 Ew. Naturtheater Hayingen
• Heidenheim, 50,000 inhabitants. Hellenstein Castle
• Hechingen, 19,400 inhabitants. Hohenzollern Castle Zeller Horn
• Herbrechtingen, 13,200 inhabitants. Brenz, Eselsburger Valley
• Hohenstein, 3800 Ew. Burg Hohenstein, Ödenburg
• Kirchheim unter Teck, 40 000 Ew. Burg Teck
• Königsbronn, 7400 Ew. Origin of Brenz (river)
• Lichtenstein, 9300 Ew. Lichtenstein Castle
• Laichingen, 11,000 inhabitants. Laichinger Tiefenhöhle
• Lonsee 4746 Ew. Lonetopf, Roman fort Steingädele

• Meßstetten, 11,000 inhabitants.
• Metzingen, 22,000 inhabitants.
• Mossingen, 20,014 inhabitants. Mössinger landslide
• Münsingen, 14,400 inhabitants.
• Neresheim, 8300 Ew. Abbey Neresheim
• Neuffen, 6201 Ew. Hohenneuffen
• Niederstotzingen, 5000 Ew. Lonetal, Vogelherdhöhle cave
• Oberkochen, 8200 Ew. Cooker origin
• Pfullingen, 18,500 inhabitants. Echaz
• Reutlingen, 110,000 inhabitants. Echaz
• Schomberg, 4667 Ew. Plettenberg, Schlichemtalsperre, Schlichem
• Schelkingen, 7300 Ew. Hohler Fels, Monastery Steingädele, Oh
• Schwäbisch Gmünd, 61,000 inhabitants. Rechenberg
• Sigmaringen, 16,700 inhabitants. Danube, Hohenzollern Sigmaringen Castle
• Sigmaringen village, 3,800 inhabitants. Danube, Lauchert, forest stage Sigmaringendorf
• Sonnenbühl, 7000 O.:. Karls and bear cave, Nebelhöhle
• Sontheim, 5700 Ew. Gallus Church and Schloss Brenz
• Spaichingen, 12,000 inhabitants. Dreifaltigkeitsberg
• Stetten am cold market, 5,400 inhabitants.
• Strassberg, 2600 Ew. Burg Strassberg
• Trochtelfingen, 6600 Ew.
• Tuttlingen, 35,000 inhabitants. Danube
• Tübingen, 83,000 inhabitants.
• Ulm, 120,100 inhabitants. Danube, Ulm Munster, fishing district with the Leaning House, City Hall
• Wiesensteig, 2300 Ew. Filsursprung, ruin Reußenstein, residential castle of the Counts of Helfenstein
• Winter Lingen, 6700 Ew.
• Zwiesel, 2133 Ew. Zwiefalter Oh, Wimsener cave monastery Zwiesel

Tourism

Trails

There are numerous well-marked trails in the Swabian Alb. These can be divided into distance hiking trails and hiking trails. The track trails are mostly managed by the Swabian Albverein and marked. Many communities have also been set up in their area hiking trails. The trails often lead past the specifics of the Swabian Alb. The silver thistle as an unofficial symbol of the Swabian Alb is just one of many special flowers that can be found on a hike.

The backbone of the trail network are the main trails ( HW).

• The HW 1 ( Swabian Alb - northern edge path ) and the HW 2 ( Swabian Alb - South Rim Trail ) enclose the Swabian Alb and allow several weeks hike around the mountain. They have their starting or end points in Donauwörth and Tuttlingen.
• Also the HW 3 HW 4 HW 5 HW 7 and 9 HW touch on sections of the Swabian Alb. The HW 3 ( Rhein- Main-Neckar - way ) from Wertheim to Villingen occurs in Hechingen in the area of the Swabian Alb and leaves it before Villingen.
• The HW 4 ( Main-Danube - Lake Constance - way ) from Würzburg to Friedrichshafen runs from Wasseralfingen to Ulm on the Swabian Alb.
• The HW 5 ( Black Forest Swabian Alb -Allgäu - way ) from Pforzheim to the Black ridge at Isny affect the Swabian Alb Reutlingen to the Danube.
• The HW 7 is also called the Swabian Alb, Upper Swabia pathway. It runs from Lorch to Friedrichshafen and crosses the Swabian Alb from Göppingen to Zwiefaltendorf.
• The HW 9 (Heuberg -Allgäu - way ) runs from Spaichingen to the Black ridge at Isny and crosses the south western of Spaichingen to Neuhausen ob Eck.

Rock Climbing

The Swabian Alb, partly excellent sport climbing venues, and is - together with the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and the Franconian Alb - the most outstanding low mountain ranges in Germany in terms of climbing.

Climbing opportunities there especially at the so-called Massenkalkfelsen. These are structures that have been built in the Jurassic sea by living organisms ( corals and sponges) and weathered out from the surrounding rock.

The upper Danube Valley offers the best rock climbing and the highest walls. Other areas with good climbing opportunities are located in the area of Blaubeuren and in Lenninger valley and in Ermstal. The individual performing the numerous larger and smaller rocks are described in several climbing guides. On the Ostalb include the rock formations of the Rosenstein at Heubach and the Eselsburger Valley's most famous climbing areas.

However, the climbing is not permitted at any point in recent years. The Nature Conservation Act of Baden- Württemberg is one of the rocks to the so-called § 24a- biotopes. In principle the entering of these biotopes is not permitted. In recent years it has been possible between the conservation and management of the climbing associations to coordinate the climbable areas or climb the clauses for the Swabian Alb. In some cases there the climbing bans only seasonally.

The individual climbing have the greater part of upper levels on ( difficulty UIAA scale from about 4 to 10). Easier climbs, as they are known from the Alps, there are hardly any.

Winter sports

Due to its altitude of between 600 and 1000 m the Swabian Alb offers many opportunities for winter sports. Many ski slopes and cross country skiing trails invite you to exercise.

Holiday road and motorsports

Most famous tourist route is the Swabian Alb Route.

Because of their sparsely populated, wooded areas and the curvy, long ascents and descents, as well as the sweeping plateau stretches the Swabian Alb of motorcycle riders for tours of all claims will be used.

Culture

The Swabian Alb, and culturally much, there are numerous castles and ruins and interesting monasteries. Many villages have interesting local museums. Important industries were as hosiery and Precision at Albstadt and linen weaving in the room Laichingen.

From the Swabian Alb come significant archaeological finds. Mention may be made in particular the oldest figurative representations of humanity, small carvings from mammoth ivory. They originate from the Lone Valley ( Vogelherdhöhle cave ) and the Ach Valley / Blautal ( Geißenklösterle, Hohler Fels ) in Ulm. They are about 30000-35000 years old. The finds can be seen in the Prehistory Museum in Blue Beuren, the Ulmer Museum and the Museum Schloss Hohentübingen and the Landesmuseum Wuerttemberg in Stuttgart.

See also: List of museums in the Swabian Alb, List of castles in Baden- Württemberg, list of museums in Baden- Württemberg, German museums to theme list