Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 Herrenberg - Böblingen

The Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 is a 22-km point-to-point trail in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, gaining 376 m of elevation across a single walking day between Herrenberg and Böblingen. Rated moderate in difficulty, this stage of Europe's ancient pilgrimage route crosses the Schönbuch Nature Park, a vast lowland forest south of Stuttgart, connecting a Gothic collegiate church with Böblingen's storied lakeside town.

About the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 Herrenberg – Böblingen

The Via Sancti Martini is one of Europe's oldest and most significant pilgrimage corridors, stretching more than 2,000 km from Szombathely (Savaria) in Hungary — the birthplace of Saint Martin of Tours — westward to Tours in France, where the fourth-century bishop is buried. Designated part of the International Walking Network (IWN), this route ranks alongside the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena as one of the world's great long-distance walking paths.

Stage HW-35-11 covers 22 km in a single day between Herrenberg and Böblingen, two towns in the Böblingen district of Baden-Württemberg roughly 30 km southwest of Stuttgart. Managed by the Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart, this section is waymarked with the distinctive Saint Martin's cross and Martin's shield, and largely shares its corridor with the HW 5 long-distance trail of the Schwäbischer Albverein (Swabian Alb Association), one of Germany's oldest and most active hiking organisations.

The stage gains 376 m over its 22 km with a highest point of 569 m and a starting elevation of around 430 m in Herrenberg's valley. Elevation descent totals 361 m, leaving hikers arriving in Böblingen slightly lower than they started. The terrain alternates between charming Swabian market-town streets, open hillside paths, and the cool canopy of the Schönbuch — a 156 km² lowland forest nature park that dominates the route's long midsection. Paths are well-maintained throughout: a mix of compacted forest tracks, farm lanes, and sealed surfaces that stay passable even after rain.

Saint Martin's cultural legacy runs deep across this region. Born around 316 CE in the Roman province of Pannonia (modern Hungary), Martin served as a Roman cavalry officer before converting to Christianity and eventually becoming Bishop of Tours. The famous legend of Martin sharing his cloak with a freezing beggar near Amiens is commemorated in hundreds of churches along the Via Sancti Martini, including in Herrenberg's own Stiftskirche. For non-religious hikers, the trail remains a compelling walk through one of southwest Germany's most scenic and historically layered landscapes.

Waymarking on this stage is reliable throughout. The official Martinusweg website publishes any temporary closures or detours as they arise, and is the first place to check before your trip.

Route Overview & Stages

The trail begins at Herrenberg Bahnhof and leads immediately into the historic town centre via Walther-Knoll-Straße, passing the Church of St. Josef before reaching the market square. A short but steep ascent via Bronngasse brings you to the Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) and onto the Schlossberg ridge, which delivers a commanding panorama over the Ammer valley and the rolling Swabian landscape to the south. From the ridge, the path descends slightly to the Naturfreundehaus, a popular local recreation facility at the forest edge where HW-35-11 joins the HW 5 trail.

The long middle section traverses the western Keuper rim of the Schönbuch, staying mostly between 500 and 569 m as the path passes through the small village of Mauren before entering the forest proper. The final third eases gradually downhill into Böblingen, emerging near the town's landmark twin lakes before reaching Böblingen Bahnhof.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Herrenberg Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) — This late-Gothic church, founded in the 13th century and substantially completed by 1492, dominates Herrenberg's skyline with its striking sandstone tower. The interior holds carved altarpieces and a well-preserved 15th-century nave. It marks the spiritual starting point of HW-35-11 and sets the Via Sancti Martini's pilgrimage heritage in immediate, tangible form.
• Herrenberg Schlossberg Viewpoint — Just above the Stiftskirche, the Schlossberg ridge rises to 487 m and opens a sweeping panorama across the Ammer valley and toward the Swabian Alb to the south. This is the steepest climb of the entire 22 km stage, gaining roughly 120 m in under 1 km, and the views from the top reward the effort generously.
• Naturfreundehaus Herrenberg — A traditional hikers' lodge at the forest edge roughly 5 km from the start, the Naturfreundehaus is a recognised waypoint on both HW-35-11 and the HW 5. Hikers join the Schwäbischer Albverein's well-signed trail corridor here, which provides consistent waymarking for the remaining 15 km to Böblingen.
• Schönbuch Nature Park — At 156 km², the Schönbuch is one of the largest contiguous lowland forests in Baden-Württemberg and has been a protected Naturpark since 1972. The HW-35-11 traverses its western Keuper plateau at elevations between 500 and 569 m, passing through beech and oak woodland that supports red deer, wild boar, and the rare middle-spotted woodpecker. The park authority maintains visitor centres in Herrenberg and Waldenbuch where seasonal wildlife and flora guides are available free of charge.
• Mauren Village — A quietly attractive Swabian hamlet at roughly the midpoint of the stage, Mauren offers a natural rest stop with a small restaurant and a village church displaying 18th-century frescoes and a Baroque interior. The village sits on the western Keuper rim at around 540 m, providing a brief open-sky break from the forest before the trail plunges back into the Schönbuch.
• Keuper Ridge Forest Paths — For much of stages 2 and 3, the route follows the gently rolling Keuper rim, a geological formation of red and grey mudstone that shapes the entire Schönbuch plateau. The forest paths here are wide, well-drained, and largely flat, making for calm, meditative walking broken only by birdsong and the occasional deer crossing.
• Böblingen Stadtpark and Twin Lakes — As the trail descends into Böblingen, it passes near the town's signature twin lakes — the Oberer See and Unterer See — a 56-hectare recreational area at the town's centre. In summer these lakes attract swimmers and picnickers; arriving hikers can cool their feet at the lakeshore before the final stretch to Böblingen Bahnhof.
• Via Sancti Martini Pilgrimage Waymarkers — Throughout the stage, hikers follow distinctive Martin's cross blazes, small bronze plaques, and directional signs installed by the Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart. These markers recount episodes from Saint Martin's life at key junctions, turning an ordinary forest walk into a cultural narrative spanning seventeen centuries.

Best Time to Hike the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 Herrenberg – Böblingen

The HW-35-11 can be walked comfortably from April through October. The Schönbuch forest provides welcome shade in summer and spectacular colour in autumn, while mild spring temperatures suit the pace of a pilgrimage walk perfectly.

May is the single best month to hike this stage. Daytime temperatures average 12–18 °C, the Schönbuch's beeches flush bright green, wild garlic carpets the forest floor, and trail surfaces are firm after winter drainage. School holidays have not yet begun, so the route is uncrowded. From 6 am to 9 pm of daylight, a 6 am Herrenberg start puts you comfortably into Böblingen by early afternoon with energy to spare.

April is an excellent early-season option. Temperatures of 8–14 °C keep exertion comfortable and the forest shows fresh spring growth, though some exposed Keuper sections can be briefly muddy after heavy rain. June through August delivers warm to hot conditions (20–30 °C at peak). The Schönbuch canopy keeps temperatures manageable on the forest section, but the open Schlossberg climb and the final Böblingen approach can feel exposed on a hot afternoon — start before 8 am in July and August and carry at least 2 litres of water from Herrenberg.

September and October offer the trail's best photography conditions: beech and oak woodland turns copper and amber from late September, and temperatures drop back into the 10–18 °C range that suits sustained walking. Autumn rain from mid-October onward can make the Keuper clay sections briefly slippery, so waterproof footwear becomes worthwhile.

November through March is possible but not recommended for casual hikers. Days are short (sunset by 4–5 pm in December), Keuper paths become muddy, and foot traffic is minimal — you are unlikely to meet other walkers between Mauren and Böblingen in winter. If you hike in the cold months as of 2026, download the GPX track in advance and check current conditions with the trail operator before setting out.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Because the HW-35-11 covers 22 km in a single walking day of approximately 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes, overnight accommodation mid-route is not required for most hikers. Both Herrenberg and Böblingen offer solid options for the nights before and after.

In Herrenberg, several family-run guesthouses cluster around the market square and along Hindenburgstraße, typically charging €60–90 per night for a double room with breakfast — a sensible choice for arriving the evening before and starting fresh at the Bahnhof. The Naturfreundehaus at the forest edge also offers simple dormitory accommodation for groups by prior arrangement through the Schwäbischer Albverein.

In Böblingen, a larger range of business and leisure hotels reflects the town's role as a major district capital. Expect €75–130 per night at centrally located properties. Budget hikers can use Böblingen's convenient S-Bahn connection to accommodation in Stuttgart — a 20–25 minute ride — where hostel beds start from approximately €28 per night.

Getting There & Back

Public transport access to HW-35-11 is excellent and makes the point-to-point format straightforward to navigate without a car. Timetables, fare information, and day-ticket options for the entire journey are available through the Verkehrsverbund Stuttgart (VVS).

To Herrenberg (start): Take S-Bahn line S1 from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof to Herrenberg, the line's western terminus. Journey time is approximately 44 minutes; trains run every 20–30 minutes throughout the day. From Stuttgart Airport (STR), take S-Bahn S2 or S3 to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof (11 minutes), then transfer to the S1. Herrenberg Bahnhof is directly adjacent to the trail start at St. Josef church.

From Böblingen (end): Return to Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof on S1 in approximately 20–25 minutes. Böblingen Bahnhof is also served by the S60 line. Trains connect back toward Herrenberg if you need to retrieve a vehicle. By car, park at Herrenberg Bahnhof's paid car park (approximately €1.20 per hour) and return by S-Bahn in under 30 minutes at the end of the walk.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11. The trail crosses public forest land managed by ForstBW and the Naturpark Schönbuch; access is free at all hours. The Schönbuch Nature Park charges no entry fee. A voluntary donation to the Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart trail maintenance fund can be made via the official Martinusweg website. The only walk-related costs are an S-Bahn ticket (a single adult fare from Herrenberg to Böblingen within the VVS zone network costs approximately €4.40 as of 2026) plus food and any overnight accommodation.

Gear & Packing List

HW-35-11 is a moderate single-day trail with 376 m of cumulative elevation gain and consistently well-maintained surfaces. Gear requirements are modest, though a few items make a genuine difference across the 22 km.

Footwear: Low-cut trail shoes suffice in dry conditions from May through September. From October through April, a waterproof trail boot or waterproof trail runner handles the Keuper clay sections without issue. Poles are optional but useful on the steep Schlossberg ascent out of Herrenberg.

Pack: A 20–35-litre daypack is the right volume for this stage. For a streamlined running-vest style with integrated hydration, the Salomon ADV Skin 20 keeps weight minimal and fit secure on the uneven forest terrain. Hikers carrying overnight gear for connecting stages will find the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 a well-balanced load-carrier for the distance. For those prioritising ultralight carry, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider pairs weather-resistant Dyneema construction with a clean, pared-back design. Our 2026 ultralight pack roundup covers a full comparison if you are still deciding.

Clothing: Layering is the correct approach given the exposed Herrenberg start and sheltered Schönbuch midsection. A moisture-wicking base layer, a light fleece or softshell, and a packable waterproof jacket cover all reasonable conditions from April through October. On hot summer days, a sun hat and factor-50 sunscreen are worthwhile for the open Schlossberg section and the final approach into Böblingen.

Food and water: Carry at least 1.5–2 litres from Herrenberg. The small restaurant in Mauren (~midpoint) provides a warm meal stop. Böblingen's town centre offers full resupply. For calorie planning across a full 22 km walking day, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day gives practical intake targets by body weight and pace.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 appeals to you, Germany's long-distance network offers outstanding onward walking in the same cultural and ecological tradition. The pan-European Fernwanderwege cross the country through similarly forested and river-valley terrain, connecting regions with very different characters while sharing the same spirit of purposeful travel on foot.

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — Part of the 4,390-km E8 corridor crossing central Europe, the Rheinland-Pfalz section follows the Mosel and Rhine valleys through some of Germany's finest wine-country and riverside scenery.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — The NRW segment of the E8 traverses the Eifel, Sauerland, and Teutoburg Forest on its way eastward, offering dramatic ridge-top walking and deep broadleaf woodland.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (W) — A 2,070-km route crossing central Germany through Harz forests and Elbe floodplain meadows, connecting the north and south of the continent.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (O) — The eastern Sachsen-Anhalt section of the E11 follows river corridors and open farmland through one of Germany's most historically resonant lowland regions.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (O) — Flat, vast, and deeply atmospheric: Brandenburg's eastern E11 segment crosses sandy heath, pine forest, and Spreewald channels toward the Polish border.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11 Herrenberg – Böblingen?

May is the single best month. Temperatures average 12–18 °C, the Schönbuch beech forest is at its most photogenic in fresh spring leaf, wild garlic carpets the understorey, and trail surfaces are firm after winter run-off. The broader April-through-October window is comfortable for most hikers; avoid December through February unless you are prepared for short days and occasionally muddy Keuper paths.

How difficult is the HW-35-11 stage, and do you need prior hiking experience?

The stage is rated moderate. Total elevation gain is 376 m spread across 22 km, with the sharpest climb of roughly 120 m concentrated in the first 3 km from Herrenberg's town centre up to the Schlossberg viewpoint. An averagely fit adult wearing appropriate footwear can complete the full distance in 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes. Children aged 10 and above typically manage the stage comfortably. No technical skills or prior long-distance experience are required.

How far should I plan to hike each day on this trail?

HW-35-11 is designed as a single-day stage of 22 km, covering the full distance between Herrenberg and Böblingen in one go. At an average hiking pace of 4 km/h — accounting for the Schlossberg ascent and a meal break in Mauren — most hikers finish in 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes of moving time. A Herrenberg Bahnhof start by 8 am puts you comfortably into Böblingen by early to mid-afternoon.

What accommodation options exist on or near the HW-35-11 trail?

Since HW-35-11 is a single-day stage, accommodation mid-route is not necessary. Guesthouses around Herrenberg's market square charge €60–90 per night and make an ideal base for arriving the evening before. Böblingen offers a broader selection of hotels at €75–130 per night. Budget hikers can use the S-Bahn's 20-25-minute connection to Stuttgart, where hostel beds start from approximately €28 per night.

Are there any permits or fees required to walk the Via Sancti Martini HW-35-11?

No permits are required. The trail crosses public forest and nature park land with free public access throughout. The only costs are transport — a single adult S-Bahn ticket from Herrenberg to Böblingen within the VVS network costs approximately €4.40 as of 2026 — plus food, drink, and any overnight accommodation. The Schönbuch Nature Park charges no entry fee. A voluntary contribution to the Diözese Rottenburg-Stuttgart trail fund is welcomed via the official Martinusweg website.