Opposite Heidelberg Castle on the north bank of the Neckar stands the 440 metre high Heiligenberg.
The summit of the legendary mountain massif offers the most beautiful view of Heidelberg.
The two impressive monastery ruins of St Michael and St Stephan as well as the"Thingstätte", a huge open-air stage from the National Socialist era, still dominate the appearance of the summit region today.
Since the 5th century BC, the mountain has repeatedly played a special role in the eventful history of the region around Heidelberg. If you want to escape the colourful hustle and bustle of the attractive city, if you want to hike in the footsteps of the past in the truest sense of the word, the mountain is just the thing for you.
The remains from Celtic, Roman and medieval times have been partially preserved, restored and made accessible by a varied and easy circular hiking trail, the Celtic Trail. The hiking trail leads to the remains from the different periods. Passing the"Thingstätte", it reaches the ruins of St Michael's Monastery at the highest point of the mountain.
From there it goes to the western edge of the plateau, where the Celtic ring wall is particularly well preserved over a distance of almost 200 metres. The southernmost point of the route is the "Heidenloch", a water supply shaft dug 56 metres deep into the rock by the monks of the Middle Ages.
The last stop on the Celtic Trail is the recently restored St Stephen's Monastery. Although the ramparts and monastery complex have been victims of stone robbery for centuries, the existing remains are still impressive today.
On the southern slope of the Heiligenberg runs the Philosopher's Path, the world-famous footpath along which southern plants such as almonds, figs and chestnuts grow.
