Please read the complete route description before beginning the walk !!!  Although the path is well marked it is advisable to understand these instructions before starting.

Start and finish: Gasthof-Hotel zur Post, Ansbacherstrasse 27, 91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

The route begins directly across the street from the entrance to
Gasthof-Hotel „ Zur Post “. Follow the white background
with green markings for the "Alte Bahnlinie" (old train route) bicycle path. Follow the path around the old graveyard and across the first street. After crossing the street continue in the same direction by following the path around the left side of the new graveyard (K.­ Keitel- Weg) and right of the train berm . Continue on this path, staying to the right of the main road until reaching the pedestrian crossing. Cross the street and immediately turn right
in front of the Greek restaurant "Hellas". At the stone marker for the "Wasserwirtschaftlicher Lehrpfad Schandtauber" (Schandtauber Water Economy Instruction Trail) turn left. The entrance to this trail has several markers, including the white background with red and green print DVV marking Follow the trail down into the Tauber Valley. After descending, cross the Tauber river and continue into the adjacent Schandtauber Valley. Continue following the Instruction Trail marker stones. Directly across from the bridge take the path in the middle. Afterin the middle. After a light climb, the path continues alongside fields for about l.3km (there aren't many markers on this section of the trail, don't worry the path is easy to follow). At the intersection with a gravelled field road follow the DVV sign taking the path sharply to the right and downward into Schandtauber Valley. Exercise caution as this area is prone to falling rocks. After reaching the bottom, cross the bridge and walk thru the Hollermühle (Holler Mill). Follow the trail past the mill and up the hill to the Hohenloher Ebene (Hohenloher Plateau). Follow the trail along the plateau keeping to the right (also applies for any rossroads). Shortly before reaching the Guthofs Schandhof, turn left and following the red and white "5a" trail markings. At the next field path, turn left and follow the path to the right downward to the main road. After crossing the main road, in addition to the DVV sign, you should see a red and white sign for route "5", take the wide field path to the left. After a few steps the wide field path turns to the right towards the forest. Continue on the path through the forest. After passing through the woods you should see a red and white sign for route "6" and the path turns left and follows along the edge of the forest. Shortly before reaching the main road, turn right, then left into the forest. Follow this path down into the Tauber Valley and cross the double bridge. At the end of the double bridge turn right and right again. Follow the DVV and blue with yellow symbol Jakobsweg (St. James way) signs on the road and pass through the double bridge and continue past the Kobolzeller church. Take the small stairs upwards and continue climbing up the wine steppes past the Rothenburg wine hills to the Riviera (No more climbs after this!). Turn right on the path. The path turns left past the Rothenburg Kneippanlage, then right and after a few steps left again (don't take the path going down into the valley!). The rest of the trail is outside of the Rothenburg old city. Continue on the path, turning left at the Sauturmes (Pig Tower) which is standing in the street. This path goes through the  Wallgraben (wall ditches) under the Spitaltores (Hospital Gate). After reaching the parking lot on the other side of the Spitaltores, turn right and cross the street to the left. Follow the left pedestrian path along the parking lot. From here return the same route as the beginning.

The directions intentionally don't point out the best locations on the trail from which to view Rothenburg. It is better to walk with open eyes to discover and enjoy the best views for yourself.

IMPORTANT NOTE: There are no rest stops on the trail. Rest stops are only available in Rothenburg city