Burg Derneck

Burg Derneck stands on a spur above Münzdorf, a village in Hayingen. It is a 14th-century shield-wall castle built by the Gundelfingen family. The main wall and a tower were finished first, then turned into a stone house. Later owners added more buildings in the 18th century. After passing to Württemberg it served as a forestry home until 1965. The castle is reached by car along the Lautertal road to Münzdorf, then a short drive to a forestry car park. From there a 500-metre walk leads up to the ruins. Close by, on the Kapf hill 330 metres south, lie the remains of Burg Weiler. Inside the enclosure visitors find a small inn and a hostel run by the Swabian Alb Association. The stone house and shield wall still dominate the site. Beyond the walls the view stretches across the Lauter valley. The castle is open to walkers and guests at any time.