W6: Rothenburg Panorama Trail

2:20 h 215 hm 224 hm 6.9 km Moderate

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

>

As its name suggests, this loop trail offers fantastic views of the city. The trail takes us up to the heights on the western side of the Tauber Valley. 

Along the way, we pass through romantic valleys, fields, and sparse forests. There is a shortcut, W6a, via the Fuchssteige, and an alternative extension, W6b, via the Schandhofhöhe, both of which also offer panoramic views worth seeing.

 

From the market square, we walk slightly downhill through Obere and Untere Schmiedgasse to Plönlein. Through the Siebersturm, we reach Spitalgasse, passing the Holy Spirit Hospital Church on our way to the imposing Spitalbastei (built around 1535). Our path leads us past it on the right, over the covered Wallgrabensteg bridge and along the road leading up from the Tauber Valley, where the W6 hiking trail marker begins. We now follow the signs down the Medersteige into the Tauber Valley, past the Wildbad complex. The path runs along the back of the Gipsmühle, across the covered Schmelzmühlensteg to the Taubertalweg. This is where the longer alternative route 6b begins (see below). Immediately after the footbridge, we turn right, cross the Schandtauber Bridge, and hike along the Tauber River through the Wildbad estate—past the Schwabenmühle—to State Road 1022. Here we keep to the left to cross the road at the curve after about 50 m (caution!) and turn onto the dirt road leading to the Blinktal. We continue to follow the W6 signage to reach the Amerikanerwäldchen via a gently ascending path through the wild, romantic, and unspoiled valley. The name likely comes from North American Douglas firs that were planted there around 1900. We keep to the right, heading up along the edge of the forest toward the Rothenburg Climbing Forest. As we do so, the tops of Rothenburg’s towers gradually come into view above the field on the right. At the highest point, near a seating area, you can then enjoy the full panorama of the old town. The trail continues slightly downhill, along the Rothenburg Hochzeitswäldchen, toward the Leuzenbronnner Steige. On the other side of the road, a forest trail begins through a beech forest. On the right, a clearing opens up revealing the old Rothenburg ski jump (jump record: 37 m). Here, we have another view of the city, the Tauber Valley, and the Burggarten. Back on the forest trail, continue to the right, at the junction of the Alternative W6a (see below), toward the Bismarck Monument with a seating area in front of it. From here, we can see the southwestern part of the Old Town, with the vineyard in front of it and the striking Rossmühle with its bat-shaped dormers.

Continuing on, after about 200 m, we come to the so-called Celtic rampart of Engelsburg. Before reaching it, we turn left onto the path along the rampart until we reach the edge of the Vorbach Valley. Here, we keep to the right and follow the path down the slope into the Tauber Valley. Once at the bottom, we reach the Eiswiese. At the Tauber River, we keep to the left, continuing on to the Barbarossa Monument and crossing the stone bridge of the same name over the Tauber. After the bridge, the path climbs steeply uphill toward the town via the Kurze Steige. Once at the top, we keep to the right along the city wall (Neue Burg) until we reach the Alte Burg. At the guardhouses by the castle gate, we turn right toward the castle chapel and head for the south exit. Outside the wall, the trail takes us sharply left above the vineyard across the so-called Rothenburg Riviera, past the Kneipp facility, and up a flight of stairs to the Eichkanzel.From here, we can take in most of our panoramic hike—the Tauber Valley with its double bridge, the Kobolzeller Church, and several mills. The name “Eich” comes from a measuring station where containers used to be “calibrated.” Passing by the back of the Crime Museum and St. John’s Church, we reach the Johannisbrunnen fountain and enter Schmiedgasse, which we follow uphill to the market square, our final destination.

Alternative Route W6a: After the ski jump, the shortcut W6a branches off to the right, shortening our hike by a good kilometer. It leads down the steep Fuchssteig into the Tauber Valley, past the Fuchsmühle mill and to the Topplerschlösschen. We turn left around the mill onto the Taubertalweg and, after about 100 m, switch to the hiking trail along the Tauber River to the wooden suspension bridge. Here we cross the river and head up the slope where the steep Eselssteige trail begins (not plowed in winter!). It takes us around the Burgberg to the right, rejoining the main W6 trail at the castle’s south exit, which we can continue following to the right.If our feet are already hurting, we’ll take the shortest route from here: up to the left through the Burggarten, through the Burgtor, and straight ahead through Herrngasse to the market square.

Alternative W6b: This alternative route beginsafter the Schmelzmühlensteg and extends the W6 by a good 1.5 km. It first runs alongside Trail W5 along the Schandtauber into the valley of the same name as far as the Hammerschmiede. There, we cross the river and follow Trail 5b up to the Schandhofhöhe, where a perfect panoramic view of the city and the Frankenhöhe mountain range beyond awaits us—an ideal photo opportunity. Our trail then joins Trail 5, which we follow to the Amerikanerwäldchen. Here we rejoin the main trail W6, which continues along the forest, slightly uphill, to the Rothenburg Climbing Forest.

  • Ascent: 215 hm

  • Descent: 224 hm

  • Length of the tour: 6.9 km

  • Highest point: 435 m

  • Difference: 100 hm

  • Lowest point: 335 m

Difficulty

Moderate

Panoramic view

Moderate

Seasonal suitability

suitable weather dependent not suitable unknown

  • JAN

  • FEB

  • MAR

  • APR

  • MAY

  • JUN

  • JUL

  • AUG

  • SEP

  • OCT

  • NOV

  • DEC

Features trail

Circular route

Open

Navigate to

Tourinfo PDF
Tourinfo PDF
GPX Track
GPX Track

share this page

More tips nearby

"More tips nearby" skip

ca. 0,0 km away

W6a: Rothenburger Panoramaweg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

2:00 h 189 hm 196 hm 5.8 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

Rothenburger Reichsstadt-Festtage

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Die gute alte Zeit... Ob sie wirklich so gut war, sei dahingestellt, auf alle Fälle sind die vergangenen Jahrhunderte es wert, sie nicht ganz untergehen zu lassen.

Fr., 03.09.2027 to Fr., 03.09.2027 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

W4: Via the Natursteig

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This loop trail takes us to the Natursteig, a very well-maintained hiking trail through a shady mixed forest above the Tauber and Schandtauber rivers. 

2:20 h 150 hm 158 hm 7.6 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

W5: Bettenfeld-Schandtauber-Jakobsweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Der Rundweg führt uns entlang des Schandtaubertals nach Bettenfeld im Südwesten Rothenburgs

4:20 h 243 hm 243 hm 14.8 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

W13: Kirnberger Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The W13 is Rothenburg’s longest circular hiking trail, designed as a day hike.

6:40 h 361 hm 361 hm 23.0 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

Le Chajim die Rothenburger Woche jüdischer Kultur

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Le‘Chajim,  auf das Leben! Unter diesem Motto steht die Rothenburger Woche jüdischer Kultur.

Do., 15.10.2026 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

Lichterlauf Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Das farbenfrohe Laufevent durch die Altstadt von Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Start und Ziel: Auf dem Marktplatz in der Altstadt von Rothenburg.

Sa., 31.10.2026 to Sa., 31.10.2026

ca. 0,0 km away

Mittelalterliche Kriminal- und Geisterführung

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Unheimlich interessant - ein - Henker-Schauspiel: "Meister Georg" warnt vor Teufelswerk und Hexenzauber. Er bietet Heilmittel und schützende Amulette gegen blutdürstige Doppel-Sauger. Eine fundierte Reise in den Aberglaube, Justiz und "Heilwesen" - mit "schwarzem Humor" (BR). Täglich um 18 Uhr ab Marktplatz

Do., 15.10.2026 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

Rothenburg Imperial City Festival

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The good old days… Whether they were really that good is open to debate, but in any case, the past centuries are worth preserving so they aren’t completely forgotten.

ca. 0,0 km away

Rothenburg’s Christmas Market

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Christmas market in the romantic old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber 

Fr., 20.11.2026 to Fr., 20.11.2026 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

Stadtführung Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Dieser Rundgang durch die historische Altstadt mit ihren romantischen Gässchen und malerischen Ecken bietet Ihnen einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Aspekte und Epochen der Rothenburger Stadtgeschichte. 

Do., 15.10.2026 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

Stadtmosphäre - Frühlings-Stadtfest

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Buntes Programm für die ganze Familie in der Altstadt von Rothenburg. 

Sa., 24.04.2027 to Sa., 24.04.2027 and more

ca. 0,0 km away

Genussradeln über Tauberzell und Reichelshofen

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Von Rothenburg o.d.T. zur Landwehr Bräu und durch die Weinberge hinab ins Taubertal. Nur mit GPS.

2:20 h 302 hm 348 hm 34.0 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

W12: Gebsattler Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The loop trail first takes us through the deep, romantic Tauber Valley up to the opposite side of the valley.

2:50 h 168 hm 175 hm 9.4 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

Ratsstube Rothenburg

Marktplatz 6, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Franconian, Regional

ca. 0,0 km away

W8: Postbotenweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Part of this route was once used by mail carriers to deliver letters and packages from Rothenburg to Vorbach and Dürrenhof on foot or by bicycle. 

4:10 h 289 hm 296 hm 13.5 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

W8a: Postbotenweg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

2:25 h 236 hm 236 hm 7.1 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

W11: Frankenhöhe–Lindleinsee–Steinbachtal

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The loop trail leads us up to the Frankenhöhe to the so-called “Lug ins Land,” where a sweeping view of the city, all the way into the Hohenlohe region, awaits us.

4:35 h 243 hm 239 hm 15.6 km Moderate

ca. 0,0 km away

Konditorei - Café Prezel

Marktplatz 5 , 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Pastry Shop & Café on the Market Square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

ca. 0,0 km away

Market Square in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Marktplatz, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

After strolling through the narrow alleys of Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s old town, visitors suddenly find themselves in the heart of the city: the market square with its imposing town hall. The entire complex reflects the pride that Rothenburg’s citizens once took in their town.

Zu "More tips nearby" jump back

You might also like

"You might also like" skip
W10: Lindleinsee

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The loop trail takes us northeast to the two Lindlein Lakes, a regionally significant bird sanctuary.

2:50 h 115 hm 115 hm 10.2 km Moderate

W11: Frankenhöhe–Lindleinsee–Steinbachtal

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The loop trail leads us up to the Frankenhöhe to the so-called “Lug ins Land,” where a sweeping view of the city, all the way into the Hohenlohe region, awaits us.

4:35 h 243 hm 239 hm 15.6 km Moderate

W12: Gebsattler Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The loop trail first takes us through the deep, romantic Tauber Valley up to the opposite side of the valley.

2:50 h 168 hm 175 hm 9.4 km Moderate

W1: Detwanger Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Gemütlicher Spazierweg ins Taubertal auf befestigten Wegen zu den Wurzeln der Reichsstadt Rothenburg ob der Tauber, mit vielen historischen Highlights. 

1:10 h 107 hm 107 hm 3.5 km very easy

W2: Zu den Rothenburger Mühlen

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Der Rundweg führt uns zunächst in Richtung Süden durch die historische Altstadt, zur Rossmühle und dem Spitalhof. 

3:20 h 197 hm 192 hm 11.1 km Moderate

W3: Kleine Wanderung durchs Taubertal

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Dieser Rundweg führt uns zuerst durch kleine, verborgene Gässchen, durch die Altstadt, ins darunter liegende Taubertal.

1:20 h 127 hm 132 hm 4.1 km Easy

W4: Via the Natursteig

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This loop trail takes us to the Natursteig, a very well-maintained hiking trail through a shady mixed forest above the Tauber and Schandtauber rivers. 

2:20 h 150 hm 158 hm 7.6 km Moderate

W5: Bettenfeld-Schandtauber-Jakobsweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Der Rundweg führt uns entlang des Schandtaubertals nach Bettenfeld im Südwesten Rothenburgs

4:20 h 243 hm 243 hm 14.8 km Moderate

W7: Leuzenbronner Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The Leuzenbronner Weg leads us westward through the Tauber Valley, up onto the Hohenlohe Plain toward Leuzenbronn. 

3:25 h 243 hm 235 hm 11.1 km Moderate

W7a: Leuzenbronner Weg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Alternativ W7a:

1:25 h 163 hm 163 hm 3.7 km Moderate

W8: Postbotenweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Part of this route was once used by mail carriers to deliver letters and packages from Rothenburg to Vorbach and Dürrenhof on foot or by bicycle. 

4:10 h 289 hm 296 hm 13.5 km Moderate

W8a: Postbotenweg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

2:25 h 236 hm 236 hm 7.1 km Moderate

W9: Steinbachtal – Bettwar

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

This loop trail takes us north into the peaceful, beautiful Steinbach Valley.

4:30 h 335 hm 337 hm 14.5 km Moderate

W13: Kirnberger Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

The W13 is Rothenburg’s longest circular hiking trail, designed as a day hike.

6:40 h 361 hm 361 hm 23.0 km Moderate

W5a: Bettenfeld-Schandtauber-Jakobsweg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Alternativ W5

0:00 h 69 hm 5 hm 1.4 km Moderate

W6a: Rothenburger Panoramaweg Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

2:00 h 189 hm 196 hm 5.8 km Moderate

Rothenburger Turmweg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Spaziergang auf und entlang der Stadtmauer – Rothenburgs Turmweg

1:15 h 82 hm 84 hm 4.0 km very easy

W9a: Steinbachtal - Bettwar Alternativ

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Alternative W9a: Dieser Weg verkürzt den Weg 9 erheblich.

3:10 h 221 hm 227 hm 10.3 km Moderate

W7 neu Leuzenbronner Weg

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Von Rothenburg nach Leuzenbronn

3:25 h 241 hm 242 hm 11.0 km very easy

Kneipp Bike Trail – Loop Tour

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Circular route with Kneipp facilities. A varied, partly hilly route through beautiful countryside.

4:45 h 345 hm 607 hm 72.0 km Moderate

Genussradeln über Tauberzell und Reichelshofen

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Von Rothenburg o.d.T. zur Landwehr Bräu und durch die Weinberge hinab ins Taubertal. Nur mit GPS.

2:20 h 302 hm 348 hm 34.0 km Moderate

From Wildbad to Wildbad

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

From Wildbad on the Tauber to Wildbad at the source of the Altmühl

2:45 h 442 hm 400 hm 41.4 km Moderate

Romantic Franconia Loop Tour, 2–3 days

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

A loop tour with many towns worth visiting along the route. Be sure to plan a little extra time for stops here. 3-day tour.

12:00 h 745 hm 745 hm 173.0 km Moderate

Fränkischer WasserRadweg - Gesamtroute

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Radweg durch die drei Urlaubsregionen Fränkisches Seenland, Romantisches Franken und Naturpark Altmühltal; insg. 391km; auch in Etappen befahrbar.

26:00 h 99 hm 116 hm 391.3 km Moderate

Alte Bahnlinie

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Along the former railroad line between Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Dombühl train station.

1:45 h 149 hm 231 hm 24.4 km Moderate

Rothenburg – Bamberg, the Aischtal Bike Trail

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

From Rothenburg ob der Tauber through the Aisch Valley to Bamberg. Bavarian Cycling Network.

8:00 h 263 hm 263 hm 121.2 km Moderate

Altmühltalradweg – Tauber-Altmühl Bike Trail

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Cycling along the Tauber and Altmühl Rivers via Rothenburg ob der Tauber 

16:00 h 940 hm 1020 hm 246.3 km Moderate

Radweg Burgenstraße

Marktplatz 1, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Section through Romantic Franconia: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Ansbach – Cadolzburg – Nuremberg. A cycling tour to castles and palaces worth seeing. Bavarian Cycling Network

13:30 h 924 hm 1035 hm 200.0 km Moderate

Zu "You might also like" jump back
Privacy policy/Legal notice