The Danube Zollernalb Trail is the big brother of the Danube Peaks Trail. If you put the two hiking trails together, you get a major hiking tour through south-west Germany.

We begin our hike at Beuron Archabbey and walk along both banks of the Danube. It is an athletic route: we ascend a total of 1,352 metres on the first stage from Beuron to Hausen, that's an alpine level of climbing! We branch off from the Danube, which continues on its way towards Vienna and the Black Sea, and head north. We pass many Jurassic limestone rock faces which sprout up from green meadows like grey flecks. The landscape reminds us a little of the Scottish Highlands. We reach the "Swabian Highlands" via the Zollernalb. The Zollernalb is named after the House of Hohenzollern, a dynasty in southern Germany which appointed all Kings of Prussia and German Emperors from 1871 onwards. The regal Danube Zollernalb Trail finally takes us south once again in a large arc along the Danube to the Lemberg mountain. The circular route connects to the Danube Peaks Trail here.

TIP: Sigmaringen Castle

Manuel Andrack, editor, presenter, author and hiking blogger:

"I recommend a visit to Sigmaringen Castle, the seat of government of the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. It is a beautiful building with the largest private weapons collection in Europe."

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