Easy hikes and walks around Bingen

Sturdily built with good views on both sides of the Lauchert.

Short detours from the river hiking trail offer hikers two large (Bittelschiesserhöhle and Rappenfelsenhöhle) and several small caves to visit.

The small kidney-shaped round building with an original stucco ceiling from 1696 is accessible right next to the cave via steep stairs. Unfortunately, the chapel was closed.

Note: The jetty is relatively narrow (stroller might be a tight fit) and (being made of wood) a bit slippery when wet.

Hornstein Castle is the ruin of a hilltop castle on a spur-like rocky ridge above the Lauchert river at around 630 m above sea level, near the Bingen district of Hornstein in the Sigmaringen district of Baden-Württemberg. It was first mentioned in 1244. The castle was the property of imperial knights, its first documentary mention dates back to 1244. Before that, the Lords of Hornstein, mentioned as early as the 11th century, probably resided in a castle in the Hornstein area. As the ancestral seat of the noble family of the same name, the von Hornstein family, the castle went through several phases of construction until it was converted into a stately Baroque palace around 1700. In 1787, the Hornsteins sold their property to the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. In 1818, the Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen decreed that a Hohenzollern "house of correction and reformatory" should be established in the castle. After the conversion was completed, the institution began operations on December 14, 1818. The institution's regulations also stipulated that the insane were to be admitted. In 1850, the Hohenzollern principalities were incorporated into Prussia. The Prussian state continued to operate the institution, and in 1859 it became a penal and correctional facility for men. The female inmates were transferred to Habsthal at the time. The institution was closed in 1869. In 1873, the complex was sold for demolition, the buildings were torn down, and the walls were left to decay. Only the castle chapel, a Baroque gem where the Christian liturgical year is celebrated, was preserved. From 1947 to 1962, the ruin was used as an open-air stage. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruine_Hornstein_(Bingen)

Beautiful view of the Lauchert 🌊 - Near the Fäulesloch parking lot 603 m above sea level - Bingen-Hornstein - LKR. Sigmaringen

Beautiful bridge over the Lauchert 🌊 - Near the Fäulesloch parking lot 603 m a.s.l. - Bingen-Hornstein - LKR. Sigmaringen

Burg Hornstein is the ruin of a hilltop castle on a spur-like rocky ridge above the Lauchert at around 630 m above sea level near the Bingen district of Hornstein in the Sigmaringen district of Baden-Württemberg. It was first mentioned in 1244. The castle was imperial immediate property, and its first documentary mention dates back to 1244. Before that, the Lords of Hornstein, mentioned as early as the 11th century, probably resided in a castle in the Hornstein area. As the ancestral seat of the noble family of Hornstein of the same name, the castle experienced several construction phases until it was converted into a stately Baroque palace around 1700. In 1787, the Hornsteins sold their property to the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. In 1818, the Prince of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen decreed that a Hohenzollern "house of correction and reformatory" should be established in the castle. After the conversion, the institution began operation on December 14, 1818. The institution's regulations also stipulated that "lunatics" were to be admitted. In 1850, the Hohenzollern principalities were incorporated into Prussia. The Prussian state continued to run the institution, and in 1859 it became a penal and correctional institution for men. The female inmates were transferred to Habsthal at the time. In 1869, the institution was closed. In 1873, the complex was sold for demolition, the buildings were demolished, and the walls were left to decay. Only the castle chapel, a Baroque gem, was preserved, where the Christian annual cycle is celebrated. From 1947 to 1962, the ruin was used as an open-air stage. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruine_Hornstein_(Bingen)