The Seeburgsteig is one of our five Premium Grafensteige hikes that lead visitors around the natural beauty of the Biosphere Reserve area of the Swabian Alb. Whoever would like to experience the undisturbed landscape of the Urach Alb on their hike, is just right on this tour. Through meadows, pastures, juniper heaths and twisting paths, the route winds in a figue of eight around the small village of Seeburg.
In the first loop of the tour we walk through a mountain valley above Seeburg, enjoying beautiful views of the village below, the fairytale mountain castle of Uhenfels and underway we’ll have to negotiate several cattle gates, where we might encounter the local goat herds. In the second half of the looped tour, we walk on the Trailfinger path to the source of the river Erms, in the romantic Mühltal valley. The pathway winds through the lush green mixed forest in the cool Trailfinger gorge, then sweeps over a footbridge and upwards to Littstein, which lies in the core zone of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. From here we walk on wide plateaus over to Burgberg (Castle hill) down to the Seeburger Memorial and are shortly back at our starting point.
Directions: Our tour begins at the parking lot P40 in the village of Seeburg. We walk to the west, passing on the outskirts of the distinctive looking ‘Speisecafé Schlössle’ (a former Folly, turned café) and follow the signs uphill towards Stilles Weidentäle, a high valley above Seeburg. Behind a clearing, we turn sharply to the right and walk in the woods to Seeburgs viewingpoint, overlooking the valley and over to Castle Uhenfels. Here we pass the first of several cattle gates on the hike – don’t forget to close them again behind you! As we continue along the edge of the hillside, the stunning views of the valley and towering castle Uhenfels accompany us - lots of photo opportunities along the way! Then we ascend into the forests again, passing lush juniper heathland and set a course for the church spire and graveyard in the village center.
After a very short walk along the main road (L245 Seeburg) we cross onto the Trailfinger path and walk south to the source of the river Erms, in the romantic Mühltal valley. The track winds through the lush green mixed forest in the cool Trailfinger glen, then climbs steeply and leads over a footbridge to Littstein, which lies in the middle of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. From here we walk on wide plateaus over to Burgberg and take in the best view so far of Castle Uhenfels opposite, continue down the northwestern flank of the hill to the Seeburger Memorial, passing through a cattle gate and goat meadow. Following down along the path we arrive back at our starting point in Seeburg, car park P40. The entire hike is marked as a premium route and therefore easy to find, just look out for the blue and green ‘Grafen Steige’ signs along the way. So that you always know where you are, you are also welcome to download our free app for iPhone and Android, containing all of the route information.
Author's recommendation
Haven’t got that much time, but still want to do a bit of walking in beautiful landscapes? The Seeburgsteig tour is a figure of eight trail, which means that you can shorten the route and walk only the first or second part of the tour.
Equipment
Sturdy footwear and surefootedness is recommended for this tour.
Safety information
Please note, the Grafensteigen routes are hikes and not strolls! Sturdy footwear and surefootedness is recommended for all tours. In particular, please be cautious during and after rainfall as the limestone rock and soil, especially on an incline, can be very slippery.
In an emergency dial 112. Where necessary, make the emergency services aware that the injured persons are located in inaccessible terrain, so that the mountain rescue Bad Urach can be alerted and there is no loss of time needed in the rescue.
All along the signposted routes you will find plaques with your exact location number on them. These numbers are known in the emergency control center and will help to speed up rescue times, please reference them when making an emergency call.
