The former Münsingen military training camp

Welcome to the former Münsingen military training camp. Here you will enjoy a unique landscape, reminiscent of times past. The land formerly occupied by the Münsingen military training camp in “Münsinger Hardt“ and the adjoining areas have remained largely untouched by housing, roads, farming and other intensive economic activity. Continuously populated by grazing sheep, the land now resembles a large natural park dedicated to pasture, as was common on the Swabian Alb in the 19th century. 

A must for all visitors is the abandoned village of Gruorn to the west of the camp with its St. Stephanus Church and old school house. The old garrison, used for housing troops in the 19th century, is also worth seeing. The Altes Lager (Old Camp) heritage association now runs a museum in the former post office. Please note: Visits or guided tours of the military training camp or Old Camp Museum must be arranged in advance for specific times.

Walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers are invited to use a signposted 45 km-route. To protect this unique environment, and in the interest of visitors’ health and safety, outdoor enthusiasts are required to stick to the signposted route. It must be emphasised that the land was used for explosives training in the course of its 100-years of history as a military camp. The network of official paths (45 km long) is mostly covered in tarmac and is identified by means of yellow posts and yellow diamonds. All visitors must remain on these paths for their own safety. Maps of the designated route can be viewed at the entrances to the camp. You can download the route under “Further information” below.

There is a barrier-free entrance to the former military camp at the “Böttinger Bahnhöfle“, between Auingen and Böttingen. This entrance is particularly smooth and is suitable for people of limited mobility. Disabled parking is currently under construction.

We highly recommend the enjoyable and informative tour provided by the Münsinger Old Camp guides (TrÜP guides), highlighting the most interesting aspects of the site. Tailor-made tours for walkers, cyclists, individual visitors and bus groups are provided at specific times. The Tourist Information Office in Münsingen will make the arrangements for you.

Enjoy your visit!

Further information:

_ Map of the designated network of paths for visitors (1 MB-pdf file.); basis: ordnance survey 1:50.000 map Baden-Württemberg © Landesvermessungsamt Baden-Württemberg (www.lv-bw.de), date 14.03.2007, version 2851.2-D/5618.
_ The abandoned village of Gruorn.