Page 231 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

DRIVE 22: Castles and Caves 229

2 Schloss Lichtenstein Visitors can wander the caverns at
Baden-Württemberg; 72805 their own pace, which provides a
Perched at the top of a cliff on sense of exploration. Warm clothing
the edge of the Swabian Jura, the is required as the caves are at a
photogenic Schloss Lichtenstein constant tempera ture of 8° C (46° F).
(Feb, Mar & Nov: open Sat & Sun; Apr– ª From Tiefenhöhle, turn left
Oct: open daily) overlooks the plains and follow signs for Blaubeuren via
around Tübingen, conveying a sense B28. Turn left at Marktstrasse, right at
of being at the very periphery of a Bergstrasse, straight on to Weilerstrasse
mountain range. The gabled and and then into Auf dem Graben, where
turreted castle dates back to the there is a car park.
1840s, when it was built according
to the exaggerated literary descrip- 4 Blaubeuren
tions of fairy-tale writer Wilhelm Hauff Baden-Württemberg; 89143
about an earlier castle that occu pied Blaubeuren is worth a stop simply
this site. Bristling with horrific-looking to see the source of the Blau river,
weapons, the castle’s most impres- which joins the Danube in Ulm. The
sive feature, its armoury, is as vivid 20-m (65-ft) deep Blautopf, or “Blue
as any fairy tale. Pot”, is usually an incredible, clear, Above Schloss Lichtenstein, immortalized in
ª Return downhill from car park, turquoise-coloured pool of water, a novel by Wilhelm Hauff
then turn left toward Riedlingen/ although rain transforms this into
Reutlingen, then Münsingen. From green, then yellowy brown. Beside HIKING AROUND BLAUBEUREN
here, follow B465 through the town it lies the Hammerschmiede, a mid-
and on towards Laichingen until 18th-cen tury mill and smithy, which The Blautopf is the trailhead of a
signs for Tiefenhöhle. is at the trailhead of a number of number of hikes, including a circuit of
hikes. Over the road, but accessed Blaubeuren. Marked by an “A” on the
trailhead map, this 6-km (4-mile) long
3 Laichingen Tiefenhöhle by entrances to the right, are the trail circuits the valley to provide good
Baden-Württemberg; 89150 town’s half-tim bered former monas- views and takes around 90 minutes to
This cave network (open week before tery work shops. Dating from 1510, complete. www.blaubeuren.de
Easter–early Nov: daily) was discovered these only saw 25 years of use before
in 1892 by local sand-digger Johann the Reformation disbanded the EAT AND DRINK
Georg Mack, who wondered where monas tery, which had been founded
all his piles of sand were disappearing here in 1085. TÜBINGEN
until he found a crack in the ground ª Follow signs from centre of Neckarmüller inexpensive
into which he lowered his son. The Blaubeuren to Ulm via B28. At Ulm A convivial riverside beer garden,
local community developed follow signs for Stadtmitte over the attached to a microbrewery, with a
Laichingen Tiefenhöhle into an attrac- bridge on to Wengengasse and turn fine selection of beers. The restaurant
also serves good basic dishes, such
tion in the 1930s, building walkways right on to Sedelhofgasse, then left as Maultaschen (Swabian ravioli).
and fitting ladders. It is now possible on to Bahnhofsplatz. Follow Friedrich- Gartenstrasse 4, 72074; 07071 278 48
to descend 55 m (180 ft) into the Ebert-Strasse and Neue Strasse to the Tübinger Wurstküche moderate
caves without any special equip ment. Parkhaus am Rathaus car park. Looking back on a 200-year history,
Tübinger Wurstküche serves quality
Below Limpid, aqua-coloured waters of Blautopf, Blaubeuren traditional fare. From the wine list,
the “Swabian Aperitives” – house
specialities – should not be missed.
Am Lustnauer Tor 8, 72074; 07071 927
50; www.wurstkueche.com
Weinstube Forelle expensive
This traditional, old-world wine bar
offers good food such as trout in
almond butter and a range of game
dishes. An excellent selection of local
wines is also available.
Kronenstrasse 8, 72070; 07071 240 94;
www.weinstube-forelle.de
BLAUBEUREN
Ochsen moderate
This restaurant has a reputation for fine
regional cuisine. The oxtail ragout is a
speciality, as is the seasonal asparagus.
Marktstrasse 4, 89143; 07344 96 98 90;
www.ochsen-blaubeuren.de
Eat and Drink: inexpensive under €20; moderate €20–€40; expensive over €40

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