Burgruine Hopfach

The Burgruine Hopfach stands on the Eichelberg hill, 412 metres above sea level, above the Bühlertal valley near Hopfach in Wolpertshausen. The ruined castle once belonged to the Brunn family, who held it from 1286 until 1313. Visitors still see clear traces of walls and foundations on the site. The hilltop offers wide views over the surrounding countryside. The ruins sit on a spur that drops steeply on three sides. The Brunn family’s brief occupation left little written record, yet the stone remains speak of a once strong position. Archaeologists recognise the layout as typical of a 13th-century hilltop fortress. The site’s height and steep slopes made it hard to attack. Only the gentle slope on the fourth side needed a ditch or palisade. A short walk from the car park leads to the main ruin. The largest stretch of wall rises to about waist height. From the edge of the spur there are long views across the valley. Wild flowers grow among the stones in summer. The quiet spot is little visited, so the ruins feel undisturbed.