My hometown Weilheim an der Teck is located at the foot of the Swabian Jura in the beautiful state of Baden-Württemberg. While there are several Weilheims in Germany, there is only one Weilheim close to the castle Teck, which is also in its official city name. This little 10,000 people town may be an odd choice to write a travel article about, but what can I do? I am from here. I lived in two different houses there, one just by the old town and one in the “suburb” Egelsberg.
Table of Contents
- Discovering Weilheim an der Teck: The 1,250-Year-Old Gateway
- A Stroll Through Old Town: Half-Timbered Houses and Medieval Secrets
- Hiking the Albtrauf: "Magma Pimples" and Castle Ruins
- Birding the Swabian Jura: What to Watch and Listen For
- Caves, Bobsleds, and Dinosaurs: Day Trips from Weilheim
- More to come!
Discovering Weilheim an der Teck: The 1,250-Year-Old Gateway
Weilheim was first mentioned on 1 October 769 in a deed of the Lorsch Abbey which makes it at least 1250 years old. With good connections to the House of Zähringen, which it even served as its headquarter for 20 years, and later count Ulrich of Aichelberg, Weilheim got the right to build a wall around its city core and was officially named a city in 1319. Big parts of the city wall exist to this day. If you want to dive deeper into Weilheim’s history I recommend visiting the wikipedia article.
A Stroll Through Old Town: Half-Timbered Houses and Medieval Secrets
If you ever find yourself in Weilheim, do not forget to have a slow walk through Weilheims old town, which is full of beautiful half-timbered houses. The oldest of them, the so called “Loewenscheuer”, was built in 1469. In fact this building is the last remaining part of the City Castle Weilheim. It got renovated quite recently.
Another noteworthy building is the Kapuzinerhaus, which was built in 1565. If you stand in front of the house you will see a really creepy face, called the Neidkopf. As a kid I was afraid to look up there. Nowadays this building is partly residential and partly accomodating the city’s library.
Last but not least, the protestant church Peterskirche. Built, or rather rebuilt after fire destroyed it, in 1489, the Peterskirche is the tallest building of the city and gives Weilheim its distinctive “skyline”. At our last visit we got a little tour through the church and were even allowed to climb the tower. From there you can see the whole city and its surroundings.
Hiking the Albtrauf: “Magma Pimples” and Castle Ruins
One of the things I really love about my hometown is its proximity to really nice hiking trails and nature. From my old house I could walk five minutes and I was literally surrounded by forest. An obvious hike to go on is climbing the Limburg. I say obvious, but I actually never hiked up there with Ali when we were visiting. The Limburg is a volcanic embryonic vent of the ancient Swabian Volcano—you could say it’s like a magma pimple that never quite popped. And while you’re here, stop by the highest vineyard in Baden-Württemberg.
Another great hike is the Teck Castle aka Burg Teck. You could either start directly from anywhere in Weilheim and make it a day hike or you could drive to one of the parking lots close to the castle and only do a short but very steep hike to the top. Once you’re there you are greeted by the most beautiful panoramic views and a restaurant. But do not worry, when the restaurant is closed there are vending machines – one of them even selling beer!
Other possible hikes in the very close proximity are:
- Burg Reussenstein: Another striking castle ruin with possibilities to do some Einkehren (stopping in for refreshments) nearby.
- Schopflocher Moor: A unique wetland located on the highlands of the Swabian Jura.
- Breitenstein: A giant rock plateau that is absolutely perfect for watching a sunset.
- Bossler: A mountain peak with even more opportunities to enjoy a few beers at the top.
- Hohenneuffen: Another massive castle, and yet another place to reward yourself with a traditional meal and drinks once you reach the summit.
Birding the Swabian Jura: What to Watch and Listen For
All of these hikes and ruins share one massive advantage: you will see tons of birds if you keep your eyes and ears open. Alongside countless songbirds, you can regularly spot Red Kites, Common Buzzards (the origin of the Turkey Vulture’s colloquial name, as early American settlers mistook the native vultures for the buzzards they knew back home), Common Ravens, and the Eurasian Kestrel. Birding unfortunately is not quite as mainstream in Germany as it is in the US; therefore, eBird’s usefulness can be a bit limited.
Summertime means Shorebirds. Come visit the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and get greeted by the Black-necked Stilt’s distinctive call.
One of my personal birding highlights is the Common Kingfisher, which—in theory—can be found near most local waterways. In practice, they are incredibly elusive, so while they are around, you will rarely see them. Another fan-favorite is the Black Woodpecker. Germany’s biggest woodpecker can be found in mature forests all across the Swabian Jura, and you are highly likely to hear or spot one in the Reuschwald.
Caves, Bobsleds, and Dinosaurs: Day Trips from Weilheim
If you are not in a hiking mood but still feel adventurous, you can visit one of the many caves riddling the Swabian Jura. The closest to our Weilheim home base is the Schertelshöhle, located in Westerheim. For 4.50 € (3.00 € for kids), you can enter the roughly 700-foot-deep cave to see all kinds of impressive stalactites. And—you guessed it—there is a small kiosk to buy snacks and refreshments right outside. You can even bring your own sausages from home and roast them at the public grilling area.
Not far from the cave, you can stop by the Bobbahn Donstetten. This summer bobsled track is not much of a terrifying challenge for a daring adult, as you can easily ride the entire track without touching the brakes once, but I am certain kids will absolutely love it!
For the museum-goer with an interest in paleontology, the Urweltmuseum Hauff in Holzmaden is an absolute must-visit. The museum is world-renowned for its spectacularly preserved slate fossils. Their most famous exhibits are an ichthyosaur measuring nearly four meters long and the world’s largest fossilized sea lily colony—a staggering piece of ancient sea floor measuring 18 by 6 meters.
More to come!
I am actively expanding this guide to include my absolute favorite spots, day trips, and local culinary gems around the foot of the Teck.
Check back soon for full breakdowns of:
- Exploring Kirchheim unter Teck: A deep dive into the historic neighboring market town.
- The Stuttgart & Europa-Park Day Trips: How to navigate downtown Stuttgart, the spring and autumn beer festivals, and how to find birds inside Germany’s biggest theme park.
- The Ultimate Swabian Jura Food & Beer Guide: My personal reviews of traditional gastropubs and craft breweries in the area, including Deutsches Haus, Gasthof zur Post, Singh Bräu, and the modern craft creations at Braurevolution.
I hope you enjoyed my rather non-conventional guide with a homebase in Weilheim an der Teck. If you are in the area, come say hi to the place I will forever call home. 🥨🦉