Hike through the vineyard at Burg Hoheneck

Hiking through the vineyard

As early as the 8th century, Franken Wine grown. This is evidenced by deeds of gift that Emperor Charlemagne gave to Hammelburg in 777 and to Würzburg in 779. The main growing area for Franconian wine is the Main Valley. But wines that taste fresh and fruity also grow on the slopes of the Steigerwald with their Keuperböden. There is the Ipsheim market, which is between Bad Windsheim and Neustadt an der Aisch in the Aisch valley. It is mentioned in a document for the first time in 1189. Hoheneck Castle is our goal.

What needs to be in the suitcase ?

You need walking shoes for wide feet make a hike an experience.
In a backpack you can have a snack, a lunch box and transport the odds and ends you need for a day.
Remember to bring a light jacket with you, which protects against wind and rain in summer.
Check our hiking checklistwhether you have packed everything you need for your hike.

The sunny day invites you to one Enjoyment tour through the region. We take a rental bike from the spa administration in Bad Windsheim and cycle about eight kilometers on the Aischtalradweg to Ipsheim. From its local center with baroque farmhouses finally the road branches off to the wine trail. The Ipsheim vineyards rise up directly behind the village below Hoheneck Castle, on whose clay soil wines that taste fine and aromatic thrive.

Ipsheim wine trail at Hoheneck Castle

A country road winds up the mountain between the parcels of the vintners, on which we walk through the vineyards undisturbed by car traffic. We need one and a half hours for the hike on the Ipsheim Wine Trail, which leads around the vineyard. However, there are ways that trail abbreviate. However, we take the time for the entire hike. The most beautiful are the views from the top of the vineyard. From there, our gaze wanders from Hoheneck Castle over Ipsheim to the Aisch valley. However, the castle is not open to the public. It is owned by the city of Nuremberg. There is an educational facility for young people there. The history of the castle is interesting. It looks back on three dynasties that owned it. The Hohenlohe, the Hohenzollern and the Wittelsbacher determined the fortunes of the castle for a while.

Do you like to travel by motorhome?

The closest parking space is in Neustadt an der Aisch: Motorhome parking space Neustadt ad Aisch. However, there are more campsites in the area. There you can after a day trip in a Dutch Oven or on the portable grill . You can also find Dutch oven accessories here.
Do you want to rent a motorhome? Then you will find information and a selection in these booking options. Or would you prefer to stay overnight in a roof tent on the car? Also the overnight stay in camping tents is possible.
Check our packing list for campers to see whether you have packed everything for your motorhome tour.
You want to know where you can stay overnight in Germany and are looking for parking spaces and campsites? You can find information about this under this link.
Why is a folding e-bike useful when camping?

Silvaner, Bacchus, Kerner and Riesling grow in the vineyard near Hoheneck Castle

The wines from the vineyard at Hoheneck Castle

Today, the winemaking families from Ipsheim share the slopes of the Steigerwald for growing their vines. Their grapes are used to produce top-quality wines that are strong and full-bodied, such as Pinot Noir, Domina, Regent or Dornfelder. But white wines like Müller-Thurgau also thrive here. Just like Silvaner, Bachus, Kerner or Riesling. These are grape varieties for which the Franconian wine region is known. Vintners like the Strebel & Popp family value cultivation that is close to nature and environmentally conscious. We visit them after our hike to taste the drops of the region. Finally, we are allowed to try the wines in the kitchen-living room of the winemaker family. They taste dry to sweet. Then the owner proudly leads us through her winery, where the white wines mature in steel tanks and part of the harvest in barrique barrels to red wine.

Book your accommodation in Ipsheim here *

Gasthof Schwarzer Adler below Hoheneck Castle

We then conclude our cycling and hiking tour through the Ipsheim wine region with lunch at the Schwarzer Adler inn. Here I try my first "Schäufele". That's what the roasted pork shoulder is called, which can be found on almost every menu in an inn in Franconia. This dish rightly bears its name, because the pork shoulder is served with bones, from which the meat can be easily removed. There are also potato dumplings, salad and, of course, wine from the region.