Höchstädt on the Danube: Castle, Waterways and Discoveries

Höchstädt Castle: Renaissance and Exhibitions

Höchstädt Castle is a Renaissance castle commissioned by Count Palatine Philipp Ludwig of Palatinate-Neuburg from 1589 onwards. Today, it is used for the permanent exhibition “Europe at the Crossroads 1704”, the Museum of German Faience, temporary exhibitions by the District of Swabia and various events. A visit therefore focuses both on the castle’s history and on changing and permanent exhibition themes.

When the exhibitions are open seasonally, they offer hands-on stations where visitors of all ages can explore and try things out independently. The castle also hosts regular family tours and a holiday programme. Since opening is seasonal and programme dates may vary, it is best to check current visiting and tour information before making plans. Höchstädt itself can also be explored on a guided tour; check for current dates in advance.

From October to March, the Höchstädt Historical Association organises free tours of the castle chapel. Tours are also available by arrangement. If a tour suits your stay, it is best to confirm the details directly with the association in advance.

Two Trails, Two Ways to Explore

The Water-Wisser Trail offers digital, interactive information about water. It starts in the town park opposite the Kneipp facility. Along the Pulverbach and Klosterbach streams, nine stations invite visitors to use QR codes to access quizzes and puzzle games. The trail is 1.7 kilometres long; the walking time is approximately 30 minutes, not including time spent solving the puzzles. You can therefore allow extra time for the game stations when planning your day.

The Duchess Anna Circular Trail offers a different experience: the route includes a wooden boardwalk and a small suspension bridge. Information points provide insights into Höchstädt’s history, the region and its people, as well as local flora and fauna. While the Water-Wisser Trail shares information through QR-code quizzes and puzzles, the Duchess Anna Circular Trail combines features along the route with information about local history and nature. You can choose based on which subject interests you more along the way.

The cycling network around Höchstädt also opens up shorter and longer tours into the surrounding area. This extends the choice beyond the two trails described: you can plan around a specific sequence of stations, information along a circular route or a cycling tour into the wider area, without treating these activities as the same.

Church, Architecture and a Market Day

The Church of the Holy Spirit at the hospital offers a chapter of history all its own. It is a hall church with a gabled tower and onion dome, built around 1590 by the Burglengenfeld master builder Leonhard Grieneisen. Grieneisen was also involved in the construction of the castle at the time. The builder’s connection brings together two distinct structures in the town’s history, while the church’s form gives it its own architectural character.

The Friday market in Höchstädt’s market square features handmade products such as cheese, honey and jams. The market takes place every Friday. It offers a different attraction from the castle and trails: rather than an exhibition or an activity along the way, the focus here is on the market stalls in the square.

More Regional Perspectives

In the wider destination of Dillingen an der Donau, the DonAUwald hiking trail runs for just under 60 kilometres through the floodplain forests along the Danube; 40 kilometres of it lie in the district of Dillingen. It is the first premium hiking trail in Bavarian Swabia. All five classic stages can be reached conveniently by train, making the journey climate-neutral. For planning a regional hike, both the length of the full route and the location of part of it within the district are useful points of reference.

The landscape along the Danube in the district of Dillingen includes a water and lake landscape formed over many years by gravel extraction. The Seven Chapels offer a different cultural perspective: they are intended as landmarks and architectural features in the landscape, and as a contemporary continuation of the tradition of building chapels. These regional themes complement Höchstädt’s specific castle and trail experiences without being equated with them.

For cyclists, the Donautal Radelspaß offers another regional option: it takes place every two years on a weekend in September, with the central event in the district of Dillingen. Three signposted routes, closed to cars, lead visitors on culinary and cultural adventure tours. Since event dates should be checked for each year, plan your visit using the latest date information.

Discover More Destinations

Bachhagel, Dillingen an der Donau, Finningen, Gundelfingen an der Donau, Lauingen, Holzheim, Buttenwiesen, Wertingen

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Dillingen an der Donau.