Schwäbischer Albverein

The Schwäbischer Albverein e. V (Swabian Jura Association) (SAV) is one of the oldest hiking clubs in Germany. Based in Stuttgart, the society was founded on August 13, 1888 in Plochingen, Baden-Württemberg. Its territory extends far beyond the Swabian Jura north to the Tauber river and south to the Lake Constance, including the former territory of Württemberg except for the part of the Black Forest previously part of Württemberg (Calw and Freudenstadt). It is enrolled in the register of associations of the district court of Stuttgart (VR 2430).

The number of members grew rapidly, from 519 in 1889 to about 20,000 in 1897, 44,000 in 1926, 60,000 in 1955, and 100,000 in 1971. Today it is the largest German and European hiking club.

The association is a member of the German Hiking Association (Deutscher Wanderverband) and of the European Ramblers' Association. Since 1994, the group is a recognized conservation association.

History

Valentin Salzmann memorial in Esslingen am Neckar

On August 13, 1888, at the invitation of Valentin Salzmann, the representatives of several beautification associations met in Plochingen with the aim of improving the work of the existing groups on the Albtrauf. At the inaugural meeting on November 12, 1888 in Plochingen Salzmann presented the first draft of the by-laws of the Albverein, which was inaugurated shortly thereafter. The first committee meeting took place on April 22, 1889. At the first general meeting of the Association on May 5, 1889 Salzmann was unanimously elected chairman, Ernst Camerer secretary and deputy chairman, Gustav Ströhmfeld treasurer, and Eugen Nägele editor.

Observation towers

Schönbergturm near Pfullingen

The club operates a total of 29 observation towers on the Swabian Alb, but also in other areas of Baden-Württemberg, such as the Swabian-Franconian Forest and the Stromberg.

• Augstberg tower near Trochtelfingen-Steinhilben
• Bürgerturm in Neuenstein, Baden-Württemberg
• Burg Teck at Owen Baden-Württemberg
• Burgbergturm at Oberspeltach in Frankenhardt
• Eselsburgturm near Vaihingen-Ensingen
• Gansnestturm near Fridingen on the Danube
• Hagbergturm near Gschwend, Baden-Württemberg
• Heraldstatt tower at Heroldstatt
• Hohe Warte at St. Johann
• Hursch tower at Römerstein-Zainingen
• Jubiläumsturm in Plochingen
• Juxkopfturm at Spiegelberg-Jux
• Katharinenlindenturm near Esslingen am Neckar
• Kernenturm near Fellbach
• Lembergturm near Gosheim
• Lichtel Landturm near Creglingen
• Lupfenturm near Talheim
• Raichbergturm at Albstadt-Onstmettingen
• Römersteinturm at Römerstein-Donnstetten
• Roßbergturm at Reutlingen-Gönningen
• Schönbergturm near Pfullingen
• Schwarzer-Grat-Turm at Isny im Allgäu
• Steinknickleturm at Wüstenrot-Neuhütten
• Sternbergturm near Gomadingen
• Uhlbergturm near Filderstadt-Plattenhardt
• Three observation towers in Gutsbezirk Münsingen
• Volkmarsbergturm near Oberkochen
• Waldgreutturm at Römerstein-Zainingen
• Zwei-Eichen tower (Two-oak tower) at Pliezhausen

Hostels

Franz Keller House hostel

The Association operates a total of 21 hostels with overnight accommodation, both on the Swabian Jura, and also in other areas of Baden-Württemberg. Most of them are staffed by local groups of volunteers on weekends and holidays; others are leased to a tenant.

Neckarland and Hohenlohe plain

• Weinsberg, vol. (216 m)
• Sulzdorf, vol. (382 m)

Keuperberge - Stromberg-Heuchelberg , Swabian-Franconian Forest

• Füllmenbacher Hof, vol. (305 m)
• Juxkopfhütte, vol. (533 m)
• Eschelhof, vol (492 m)

Eastern and Central Swabian Alb up to the line Echaz-Große Lauter

• Franz Keller House, vol. (781 m)
• Wasserberghaus, leased (700 m)
• Burg Teck , leased (775 m)
• Eninger Weide, leased (751 m)

Middle and southwestern Alb, west of the Echaz-Grosse Lauter line

• Roßberghaus, leased (869 m)
• Sternberg, vol. (844 m)
• Nägelehaus, leased (956 m)
• Fuchsfarm Youth Center, vol. (920 m)
• House of Folk Art, (570 m)
• Lochenhütte, vol. (963 m)
• Nusplinger Hütte, vol. (890 m)

On or near the southern edge of the Swabian Alb and south of the Danube

• Pfannentalhaus, leased (440 m)
• Weidacher Hütte,, vol. (632 m)
• Farrenstall, vol. (685 m)
• Castle Derneck , vol. (655 m)
• Wanderheim Friedberg , vol. (614 m)
• Rauher Stein, leased (786 m)

Trails

The Association maintains a network of hiking trails with a total length of over 20,000 kilometres (12,000 mi). In addition to numerous local hiking trails, there are also ten main hiking trails that can take days or weeks to traverse:

• Hauptwanderweg 1, the Schwäbische-Alb-Nordrand-Weg, Donauwörth - Tuttlingen, length 365 kilometres (227 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 2, the Swabian-Alb-Südrand-Weg, Donauwörth-Tuttlingen, length 256 kilometres (159 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 3, the Main-Neckar-Rhein-Weg, Wertheim-Lörrach, length 540 kilometres (340 mi) (support services available between Villingen-Schwenningen and Lörrach provided by the Schwarzwaldverein)
• Hauptwanderweg 4, the Main-Donau-Bodensee-Weg, Würzburg-Friedrichshafen, length 420 kilometres (260 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 5, the Schwarzwald-Schwäbische-Alb-Allgäu-Weg, Pforzheim-Schwarzer Grat, length 320 kilometres (200 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 6, the Limes-Wanderweg, Miltenberg - Wilburgstetten, length 245 kilometres (152 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 7, the Schwäbische-Alb-Oberschwaben-Weg, Lorch-Friedrichshafen, length 240 km
• Hauptwanderweg 8, the Frankenweg, Pforzheim-Rothenburg ob der Tauber, length 220 kilometres (140 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 9, the Heuberg-Allgäu-Weg, Spaichingen-Schwarzer Grat,, length 185 kilometres (115 mi)
• Hauptwanderweg 10, the Stromberg-Schwäbischer-Wald-Weg, Pforzheim-Lorch, length 170 kilometres (110 mi)

In addition, the Swabian Jura Association) maintains the following long-distance trails:

• Georg-Fahrbach-Weg, Criesbach-Stuttgart-Uhlbach, length 130 kilometres (81 mi)
• Württemberg wine trail, Aub-Esslingen am Neckar, length 470 kilometres (290 mi)