Kirchen- und Kapellenwanderweg Altenstadt

A circular hiking trail from the parking lot of the basilica in Altenstadt to Schwabniederhofen and back to the starting point via the long-distance hiking trail VIA CLAUDIA. A stylized church window is the sign for this trail, which takes its name from the chapels, wayside crosses and churches along the way. The route is approx. 10.4 km long (alternatively 6.0 km) with little difference in altitude and can also be hiked with light footwear.

Way description: Still impressed by the mightiness of the Romanesque basilica and the "Great God of Altenstadt", we set off to give ourselves time for mind, soul and body.

Always crossing and accompanying the course of the Schönach stream, we hike to the district of Schwabniederhofen. We pass the village chapel in Altenstadt and come across the former Romanesque St. Lorenzkirche at the foot of the Burglachberg.

St. Lorenz was built around the middle of the 12th century and belonged to the Augustinian canons of Rottenbuch. It was converted into a farmhouse in 1812, but the stately tuff ashlar building still reveals the single-nave complex with apse today.

Some hikers will also find the Vatter hosiery museum located directly on the trail inviting (open with free admission during store opening hours).

In Schwabniederhofen, we walk along the Senkenweg parallel to the Schönach to Bachstraße, where we then head west to the level of the parachute jumping area. A wayside cross or the following Chapel of St. Ignaz invite us to stop for a moment of reflection. We can let our gaze wander over Schwabniederhofen below us and back to Altenstadt. On many days of the year, you can also watch the parachutists from the adjacent barracks from close by.

At the Ignaz chapel, we also decide whether to walk the full 10 km or the alternative 7.5 km route.

We take the longer route and arrive at what is probably the most beautiful point on the hiking trail, the Hubertus Chapel, which was built on the hill in 2000. From here, we have a wonderful view over the entire Alpine chain. Flower meadows line the chapel and benches invite us to take a well-earned rest before we reach the turning point of the hike after a short climb in the forest. On the way back, with the Hohenpeißenberg in the east and the Auerberg in the west, we return to Schwabniederhofen. Walking into the village on Hohenfurcher Straße, we then see the village church with the white and blue maypole in front of it. The Church of the Holy Cross was decorated in neo-Gothic style at the turn of the 20th century. The Gasthaus Janser next to the church offers us food and drink - we can fortify ourselves here before hiking back to Altenstadt.

Pfaffenwinkel hiking map, scale 1:40,000, HW-Verlag, nominal fee 1 EUR, available from the Pfaffenwinkel tourist office, www.pfaffen-winkel.de