📷 Photo by Claudio Testa on UnsplashSwabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube
Cliff-top castles, a tufa waterfall and the blue Blautopf spring on the limestone plateau between Stuttgart and Ulm.
- Distance
- 221 km (137 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 03 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Germany
- Updated
- August 2, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 221 km (137 mi) with 8 stops, from Stuttgart to Ulm. About 3 h 03 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Germany
Route description
From Stuttgart, take the B28 south-east to Bad Urach, a half-timbered spa town at the foot of the Alb escarpment. The Uracher Wasserfall is a short walk from the edge of town and pairs well with a visit to the ruined Hohenurach castle above.
Climb onto the plateau to Lichtenstein Castle, a Romantic castle perched on a pillar of rock; the viewpoint beside it looks down a sheer drop. Continue south-west to Hohenzollern Castle, visible for miles on its cone of a hill, and take the shuttle from the lower car park.
Cross the plateau to Sigmaringen, where the Hohenzollern princes’ castle rises over the Danube. The upper Danube valley just west of town, with its limestone cliffs, is a worthwhile detour for cyclists and canoeists.
Follow the Danube downstream towards Ulm, stopping at Blaubeuren for the Blautopf, a spring so blue it looks dyed. Ulm Minster has the world’s tallest church spire, and the old fishermen’s quarter lines the river. The Alb is cool and breezy; spring and autumn are lovely, and the roads suit motorhomes.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Stuttgart
Germany - 244 km
Bad Urach
Germany - 33 km
Uracher Wasserfall
NatureBad Urach, GermanyA waterfall dropping 37 m over a mossy tufa ledge, reached by an easy half-hour walk up the Brühlbach valley from the car park.
- 416 km
Lichtenstein Castle
HistoryLichtenstein, GermanyA fairy-tale castle perched on a cliff edge of the Swabian Alb, built in the 1840s after a romantic novel. Even without a tour, the view from the grounds is worth the stop.
- 529 km
Hohenzollern Castle
HistoryHechingen, GermanyThe ancestral seat of the Prussian kings crowns a lone cone in front of the Swabian Alb. Leave the car at the lower car park and take the shuttle bus or walk up.
- 640 km
Sigmaringen
Germany - 770 km
Blautopf
NatureBlaubeuren, GermanyA karst spring of startling blue, the outflow of a vast cave system beneath the Swabian Alb. Park in town and walk a few minutes; the colour is strongest in sunshine.
- 819 km
Ulm
Germany
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Stuttgart → Lichtenstein Castle · 63 km · 0 h 53 minOn the way: Bad Urach, Uracher Wasserfall.Overnight nearby, for example: Azur Camping (7 km); Wohnmobilstellplatz Mössingen (14 km).
- Day 2: Lichtenstein Castle → Sigmaringen · 69 km · 0 h 57 minOn the way: Hohenzollern Castle.Overnight nearby, for example: Campingplatz Sigmaringen (< 1 km); Seen Camping Krauchenwies (8 km).
- Day 3: Sigmaringen → Ulm · 88 km · 1 h 13 minOn the way: Blautopf.Overnight nearby, for example: Ulmer Paddler e.V. Zeltwiese (1 km); Wohnmobilstellplatz am Donaubad (2 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
- Stuttgart: Environmental zone (Umweltzone). A green emissions sticker (Umweltplakette) is required, including for foreign vehicles.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube?
3-day road trip of about 221 km (137 mi) with 8 stops, from Stuttgart to Ulm. About 3 h 03 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 03 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube start and end?
It starts in Stuttgart and ends in Ulm.
Which countries does Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube pass through?
Germany.
Where can you camp along Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube?
OpenStreetMap lists 114 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Stuttgart Cannstatter Wasen, Reisemobilstellplätze Messe Stuttgart and Sonnenhof.
When is the best time for Swabian Alb: castles, springs and the Danube?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
