Welcome to nature –
Discover the extraordinary nature in the Donaubergland
Get to know the home of rare animals and unusual plants
in the Upper Danube Nature Park and appreciate them.
Heimat Natur is a joint campaign of the Upper Danube Nature Conservation Center in Beuron and Donaubergland Tourismus GmbH.
It was created in 2021, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Our common goal is to convey and open up our wonderful and unique nature in the region to you and, together with our guests, to contribute to the protection and preservation of this nature.
Welcome to our home in nature
Nature is home! In the Donaubergland you will find this nature in a magnificent variety – right on your doorstep.
Our home is nature – the natural and cultural landscape of the south-western Swabian Alb, the Upper Danube and the Baar between the Black Forest and the Alb
Home to rare animals and plants
But nature is also home to animals and plants, especially in their incredible diversity in the Upper Danube Nature Park.
If we want to preserve this nature for our children and grandchildren, we need to treat it with more care – including in our leisure time.
Our joint campaign by Upper Danube Nature Conservation Center in the “Haus der Natur” in Beuron and the Donaubergland invite you to get to know the extremely rare beauties of our region.
The nature conservation center informs
What you should look out for at rock heads in the Danube valley…
Ranger Markus Ellinger has made short videos with young visitors to the nature reserve, which are serious but fun, to draw attention to the sensitive ecosystems on the rocky outcrops in the Upper Danube Valley to raise awareness.
Just have a quick look…
The “Heimat Natur” campaign
At regular intervals, there will be activities, events, guided tours and guided hikes where you can learn interesting facts about the diversity and “value” of the landscape and nature in the Donaubergland.
We would like to provide you with information, tips and links on the subject of nature on the Upper Danube and on the southwestern Swabian Alb in the Donaubergland. Just drop by from time to time.
Example of nature conservation:
The Black Apollo butterfly
In Germany, the Black Apollo is threatened with extinction. In the Danube valley and its side valleys in the Donaubergland are home to some of its last populations. This is why these butterflies are strictly protected.
In order to preserve and enlarge the habitats for these animals, regular maintenance measures are carried out by nature conservation authorities and forestry administrations at the relevant sites. During these measures, there may well be restrictions on hiking trails. We ask for your understanding.
What can you do for our natural environment?
It is often the right information and tips that are missing to be able to protect nature during all outdoor activities.
Rules: For the sake of nature
The Donaubergland lies at the heart of the Upper Danube Nature Park. The Upper Danube Nature Conservation Center and the Upper Danube Nature Park Association are both based in the “House of Nature” in Beuron. In addition to imparting knowledge about nature, their tasks and concerns include protecting the unique flora and fauna in the Upper Danube region.
The “House of Nature” provides all the essential information about the regulations on nature conservation for outdoor activities in the nature park. It can be very helpful and help to avoid conflict situations if you occasionally take a look at the various regulations.
Protected areas: Mindful on the road
The Upper Danube Nature Park has a large number of nature reserves and bird sanctuaries, which are very special habitats for rare plants and animals. They can only survive there if we are aware of their “natural home” and the relevant protected areas and respect them at all times.
Certain areas may not be entered, others only under strict conditions. It is advisable to keep particularly quiet here and to consciously keep your eyes open. Please do not leave any garbage lying around, do not use any wild fire pits and do not make any changes.
A map with the nature reserves can be found via the following link.
Nature knowledge: Upper Danube nature area
What makes the Danube Valley so special, apart from the narrow and imposing valley with its white limestone cliffs, the canyon of the Danube, is above all the diversity of the flora and fauna, but especially some unique species that only live in this special environment of the Upper Danube Valley.
In the “House of Nature” in Beuron, a modern, didactically appealing exhibition shows the whole wealth of these natural beauties. Get inspiration and tips for your excursions into nature. An extensive program of guided tours, lectures and activities invites you to join in, get to know and try things out.
Please inform yourself in advance about the opening hours in the “House of Nature”.
Hiking: Discover new paths
The best-known and most popular hiking trails in the Donaubergland are of course the DonauWellen-Premiumwege and the Donauberglandweg. There are also two Sigmaringen Danube rock runs in the Donaubergland. They are usually very popular at weekends and during the vacations when the weather is good. It is usually less busy on weekdays. Then you have even more hiking fun.
However, there are many more beautiful local and regional hiking trails in the Donaubergland, over 100 of them for different levels of difficulty. There is so much to discover. Why not try out new trails from time to time?
Cycling: The right routes
We deliberately keep cycle paths and hiking trails separate. Use the designated cycle paths and cycle tours. If possible, avoid hiking trails by bike, especially narrow, natural hiking trails. This way you can easily avoid conflicts with hikers. It’s really no fun if you constantly have to brake and watch out for pedestrians.
You know that cycling on forest paths narrower than two meters is prohibited in Baden-Württemberg. Please observe this regulation. Use designated trails. There are new mountain bike trails in Donaubikeland.
Camping: In the right places
Camping is only permitted in the nature park and therefore also in the Donaubergland on designated camping and pitches. In Hausen im Tal, the Donautal campsite is located directly on the Danube. Above in Leibertingen-Talheim, the new camping garden right next to the natural swimming pool invites you to stay longer.
Various summer campsites for groups can also be used by individuals. Please enquire.
There are caravan and motorhome sites along the Danube from Geisingen via Tuttlingen, Talhof Donautal to Sigmaringen.
Climbing: For the connoisseurs in the “Däle”
The Danube Valley is an Eldorado for climbers. However, it is important to note and absolutely adhere to the fact that only certain rocks are open for climbing. Experienced climbers know this and are familiar with the Danube Valley and its unique climbing routes. There is hardly any other outdoor activity where you can get so close to nature, but this also means paying particular attention to the animals and plants on the rocks.
To the current climbing regulations in the Upper Danube Nature Park
The following also applies to climbers who would like to spend the night in nature: this is only permitted in designated areas.
Boating: In harmony with the river
When the water level is high enough, the Danube in the Danube valley is ideal for wonderful canoe tours. From the Beuron district of Hausen im Tal, you can paddle along the Danube as far as Sigmaringen and observe the unique flora and fauna up close – preferably in complete silence.
However, it should be noted that boating on the Danube is also subject to strict rules to protect nature. You are not allowed to travel on the Danube without a navigation license. These can be booked at the Haus der Natur in Beuron or with the official boat rental companies in the Danube Valley.
Suspension bridge: Not all at the same time
There are numerous popular attractions and excursion destinations in the Donaubergland region. A very popular one is the suspension bridge over the Danube in the Princely Park in Inzigkofen in the immediate vicinity of the Hohenzollern town of Sigmaringen. In addition to the Fürstlicher Park, the stone “Devil’s Bridge” and the rock grottoes, the modern, small suspension bridge at Amalienfelsen has become a real magnet for visitors.
Together with those responsible in the municipality of Inzigkofen, we appeal to all guests NOT to visit this wonderful place on Sundays and public holidays if possible, but rather on weekdays.
Be sure to follow the local parking guidance system!
17 Goals for sustainable development
We only have this one world!
Mindful in the “home of nature”.
Do it for yourself and your world.
All kinds of attractive leisure activities in the Donaubergland this summer:
In addition to hiking and cycling, there are many other activities, attractions and sights that you can find in the Donaubergland.
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AlbCard
By the way, absolutely attractive: the AlbCard – the guest card for the whole of the Swabian Alb – is also available from selected businesses in the Donaubergland.
