Durch die schwäbische Toskana

Hikes around Lake Breitenau

Like a big blue eye, Lake Breitenau lies in the middle of this circular hike. It leads through "Swabian Tuscany", through vineyards, forests and small villages.

It goes up to Löwenstein, which offers itself with "pure air and healthy altitude". This tour is also located in the Swabian-Franconian Forest Nature Park. The views from the Löwenstein mountains down to Obersulm in the Sulm valley are a feast for the eyes. Breitenauer See (200 m), a reservoir, is the largest bathing lake in North Württemberg. It

is fed by the Sulm river. The closer area around the 40-hectare water surface is designed as a local recreation area, with water sports facilities and a campsite. It has already won several awards. The hiking trail leads from the lake to Hößlinsülz, where you can stop for a bite to eat and visit the village wine press dating back to 1597. The vineyards, which you now walk through, are close to the village. From the quiet hamlet of Rittelhof on the edge of the forest, the trail climbs up to the small town of Löwenstein (385 m), a wine village and resort with an eventful history. Thirsty hikers can take a break in one of the welcoming inns, quench their thirst with mineral water from the Teusserbad district and enjoy one of Löwenstein's excellent wines. Löwenstein Castle towers above the town. It is the ruin of a medieval castle. It and the town take their name from the heraldic animal of the builders, the Counts of Calw. The castle passed from the Counts of Calw to the Bishopric of Würzburg, then to the Habsburgs, the Electoral Palatinate and the Württembergs. From the beautifully decorated little town, you have a wonderful view of the countryside around Lake Breitenau. Once again, you walk through vineyards and forest until you reach the former Cistercian monastery of Lichtenstern. A children's sanatorium was established here in 1835. Altenhau, Reisach, Eichelberg and Weiler are wine villages along the rest of the trail. There is a school museum in Weiler that looks back over 600 years of school history. Weiler dates back to a medieval moated castle. Today's castle was built in 1588. From here, it is about two kilometers to the parking lots at Lake Breitenau.

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