Swallow Nest Castle — Attraction in Neckarsteinach

THIS IS A COMBINED REVIEW FOR PARKPLATZ VIERBURGEN, BURG HINTERBURG, AND BURG SCHADECK as we visited all three during the same hike, though photos will be exclusively of the specific location.

Came here on a rainy October 2022 weekend afternoon with a friend and our four combined kids ages 6, 5, 3, and 2 years. We parked at Parkplatz Vierburgen, which was easy to find when set as our Google Maps GPS destination, and entered the trails near the signs at the eastern aspect of the lot. The paved lot is large and can probably accommodate 30ish cars, and has a picnic table with several informational signs near the trail entrance. The trail, which I would describe as NOT stroller friendly (I wore the toddler, and the older three kids walked) was pretty easy to follow, though we did supplement with Komoot, and first brought us to Hinterburg after a very short uphill walk (maybe 10 minutes walking at my 4yo's pace). Hinterburg is a decent sized ruin with a good amount to explore, most notable being a tall tower that you can climb (the stairs were VERY steep and scary with a preschooler, so I wouldn't recommend going on a rainy day like we did, and keep a close eye on your children). That tower is covered and has a platform surrounding the stairwell, without any benches or seating. We explored the ruined rooms (and one cellar-type room down a very barely-noticable staircase near the castle entrance) for about 20-30 minutes before moving on to Schadeck. That walk was a bit longer, I believe another 700m up, and was uphill enough that my 4yo was complaining, but she did make it. The trail was still posted but there were a few other trails you could accidentally take, so be on the lookout. When we finally could see Burg Schadeck, we had to walk around the right side of it to the main entrance, after which you'll find yourself in a courtyard before walking into the main body of the castle, which also has a tower to climb (less high but equally scary staircase, if not more so, for small children). This tower really is just a small circular room with a window seat with great views on the highest level Of the main castle building. There wasn't much else to explore besides that main body of the castle, so after a 20-30ish minute exploration we continued back to the parking lot. The walk back was VERY easy despite the rain. Overall, the trip took about 1.5-2 hours, was more than manageable for small children and baby-wearing, was easy to find and park, and was quite fun. Both castles were freely accessible, and monitored without entrance fee. Highly recommend if you're in the area! FYI there is a Spielplatz across the street from the parking lot, which we didn't realize until...

I recently visited Swallow Nest Castle, and it was truly a sight to behold. The castle is perched on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. The castle itself is a beautiful structure, and the intricate design and architecture are truly impressive.

Inside, the castle is well-preserved and provides a glimpse into the history of the area. The exhibits are informative and engaging, and there are plenty of opportunities to take photos and admire the stunning views.

The surrounding area is also worth exploring, with plenty of walking trails and natural beauty to take in. The castle is a popular tourist destination, so it can get quite busy, but the staff are friendly and do their best to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Swallow Nest Castle for anyone interested in history or breathtaking views. It's a truly unique and unforgettable experience that is not...

Small castle with 2 towers left for entering. The outer yard is covered in grass and has 2 sports for vistas. The bench on the far end is quite rotten and a nail is poking out its head on the left. Sitting at your own risk. The inner yard is small and contains the stairs to the towers. Be careful for they're very steep and should be taken slowly by people who are less fit. I myself nearly got a cramp on the way down. The stairs won't lead you to the top of the towers, but the area inside is wide enough to walk comfortably and offers great views. Don't lose your phone's while taking photos. There's no space outside the windows catching your falling phone, like in the...