LT 18 Around the Tauberberg

A hike that first lets you view the vineyards from a distance before the path brings you ever closer. Until you find yourself right in the middle and can enjoy the views of the Tauber valley and Weikersheim with the Tauberphilharmonie and castle with castle garden. Then you cross the shady forest and finally into the vineyards again and to the wine village Markelsheim.

You start at the market square in Markelsheim and walk along the main street towards Rüsselhausen. On the paved cycle and footpath you walk straight ahead to Elpersheim – the vineyards accompany you on the left. Through the town it goes over the Tauber bridge to the other side of the Tauber. Here you will find a quiet spot for your snack. Further over the railway tracks and the Taubertalstraße, then right up the paved path uphill. Soon you turn right onto a paved path – here the LT 18 meets the Way of St. James – and you follow the path slightly downhill on natural ground. On the roadside you can discover old stone terraces; on the right you already see a first view of Weikersheim castle. Down at the roundabout you have the choice: a short detour into the beautiful old town with castle and castle garden – or immediately the paved path uphill into the vineyards. Among the vines the ascent becomes steeper, but the panorama over Weikersheim grants you breadth. The watchtower appears, behind it you turn directly left and continue climbing through the forest. At the forest crossing go straight ahead on the path, at the clearing right and then twice left. Slightly keep right to continue on the paved path at the forest edge. Now a few kilometers straight ahead through the forest until Igersheim appears between the trees on the right. Turn left, then immediately right again and follow the path through the vineyard. You cross the Taubertalstraße and the tracks and are back in the wine south wine village Markelsheim – with winemakers, fine dining and the winegrowers Markelsheim. Over the bridge you return to the market square. Take your time on the way to look: the stone terraces, the vines, the light in the valley. Turn around now and then – the view of the vineyards is worth it.

It is recommended to hike the route counterclockwise.

Worth seeing

Weikersheim: Renaissance castle with knight's hall, castle garden with orangery, historic townscape, baroque market square

Markelsheim: wine teaching path, town hall with half-timbered oriel tower, Bacchus fountain