Heiligenberg, SCHöNAU

On the North banks of the river Neckar you can see the silhouette of the Heiligenberg, which at 440m is not all that high. The Philosophenweg (philosopher's road) that lies at its foot offers many good viewpoints on Heidelberg. Those who want to see Heidelberg from a higher view, should make a trip to the top of the Heiligenberg. The easiest way is to go by car to the suburb Handschuhsheim and then turn right and follow the street via the Mühlentalstraße and the Chaisenweg to the peak of the hill. After 6 km full of bends you will see the look-out tower, built in 1885. From here you will enjoy a marvellous view. Directly beside is the ruin of the Stephanskloster (Stephan's cloister). 500m down the road is the Thingstätte (Thing site), a memorial dating from the Nazi period. Following the foot path 200m to the second peak of the hill, there is a piece of history that is really worth seeing: the ruins of the Michaelskloster. From here you have an impressive vi ew over the Rhine valley. It is worthwhile as well to follow the path along the Celtic Ring Wall that was erected 450-250 B.C. to protect the ancient Celtic settlement on the hill.