Aachtobel

Aachtobel is a steep, forested gorge near Hohenbodman, carved by the Linzer Aach through soft molasse sandstone. Dense woodland surrounds the river and shelters protected plants and animals. The gorge forms part of one of Germany’s oldest nature reserves, created to protect this landscape and its wildlife. Hiking paths cross asphalt, gravel, natural ground, and narrow forest trails through changing terrain.

The route leads to Maria im Stein, a pilgrimage chapel reached only on foot. Votive tablets remain inside, connecting the secluded building with centuries of prayer and pilgrimage. From there, the path climbs towards Hohenbodman and its surviving castle tower. The round Gothic tower overlooks the Linzgau, Lake Constance, and the Alps in clear weather. A village linden tree nearby has a trunk circumference of about ten metres.

The Linzer Aach cut almost one hundred twenty metres into the landscape over thousands of years. Steep sections and uneven ground make sturdy footwear useful, especially after rain. At the tower’s base, a rest area sits beneath views shaped by forest, river, chapel, and mountain horizons.