Hohenneuffen Castle

Perched on a rocky spur of the Swabian Alb above the town of Neuffen, Hohenneuffen Castle is one of the largest hilltop fortress ruins in Baden-Württemberg. First documented in 1198, it served as the seat of the Counts of Neuffen before being repurposed as a military stronghold during the Thirty Years' War and subsequently dismantled. The surviving curtain walls and substructures hint at the original scale of the complex, which remains impressive even in its ruined state. The 45-minute hike from Neuffen rewards visitors with sweeping panoramic views across the Alb plateau toward the Stuttgart basin. Entry is free, and the site stays open until 22:00 Wednesday through Saturday — making an evening visit at dusk particularly atmospheric.