The hike begins at the Heiligenberg hiking car park, where you'll set off to explore the long history of this landmark mountain. The first stops are the ruins of St Stephen's Monastery, dating from the 11th century, and the Heidenloch, a deep shaft linked to Roman or Celtic times and local legends.
Continuing uphill, you'll reach the impressive Thingstätte, an open-air theatre built in the 1930s and surrounded by forest. A short walk further leads to the remains of St Michael's Monastery, located near the summit of Heiligenberg.
After reaching the top, you'll continue towards the forest junction of Zollstock before descending to the Philosopher's Walk. Once frequented by poets and thinkers of the Romantic era, this path offers views across Heidelberg, including Heidelberg Castle, the Old Town and the Old Bridge.
Along the route, you'll pass the Bismarck Tower before arriving at the Fuchsrondell viewpoint. With plenty of scenic views along the way, you'll make your leisurely return through the shaded forest back to the starting point.
