Westerheim: Cross-country ski trails, winter paths and Swabian Alb experiences

Westerheim combines a varied range of winter activities with hiking paths, viewpoints and cultural destinations. When planning your trip, it is particularly important to decide which activities you would like to focus on: cross-country ski trails and other winter activities depend on the season and snow conditions, while hiking paths and excursion destinations offer different options.

Winter activities in Westerheim

Westerheim has over 30 kilometers of well-maintained cross-country ski trails, with skating routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels. The trails therefore differ both in length and challenge. Four drag lifts are also part of the local winter offerings. They are seasonal and weather-dependent, so current conditions may be crucial when planning.

Snowshoe hikes are also possible in Westerheim when snow conditions allow. Other snow-dependent activities include skijoring and kite skiing: in skijoring, a horse pulls a person across the snow; in kite skiing, a paraglider pulls the skier across the snow. These activities are quite different from cross-country ski trails and drag lifts. Before your trip, check which activities are suitable for your travel dates.

Hiking paths of varying lengths

Six main hiking routes in Westerheim are marked throughout. For a shorter hike, consider the Kapellenwanderweg (Chapel Hiking Trail): it is about eight kilometers long and crosses Westerheim to Egelsee. The Loretto Chapel, built in 1705, is along the way.

Hiking route W2 is about 10.5 kilometers long; the Sommerbobbahn parking lot in Westerheim is a recommended starting point. Route W4 is just over seven kilometers long, and the Alb-Halle is a recommended starting point. Along W4, downloaded fairy tales can be played at any of three rest stops. When choosing between the two routes, you can therefore take the stated distance and recommended starting point for each into account.

Landscape and views

Westerheim is located within the approximately 85,300-hectare Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. Residents consider Sellenberg Westerheim’s local mountain, and it offers views of the surrounding area. It is also described as the community’s green lung and serves as a venue for festivals.

The municipality has installed a Viscope viewing telescope at the Westenberg viewpoint. If you are interested in an excursion in the surrounding area, the Schertel Cave is outside Westerheim. The show cave is 212 meters long and has two passages with stalactite and sinter formations. It is therefore a different kind of destination from the paths and viewpoints in town.

Church, indoor swimming pool and leisure

St. Stephen’s Church is used for religious purposes and also serves as a venue for concerts, weddings and exhibitions. Tours are available; dates may vary, so ask about current offerings in advance. For a break from the trails, Westerheim has the Alb-Bad, an indoor swimming pool with a large swimming pool and a separate paddling pool for toddlers. Check current operating information before visiting. Adventure golf is an outdoor leisure attraction.

Find accommodation to suit your travel plans

If you are looking for a ski hotel or other accommodation in Westerheim, your planned focus for the trip can help guide your choice. For winter days, the cross-country ski trails, seasonal drag lifts and snow-dependent activities are relevant. If you are planning hikes, you can compare the stated distances for W2 and W4 with the Kapellenwanderweg. The church, Alb-Bad and adventure golf add other options for local activities.

Discover more destinations: Lonsee, Merklingen, Blaubeuren, Erbach, Börslingen, Laichingen, Blaustein.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Alb-Donau district.