Königstuhl-Mountain
568 m 1560 ft high, 450 m 1480 ft above heidelberg, is a nice option to escape the hustle and bustle of heidelberg downtown. the mountain top of kã¶nigstuhl offers a nice view over heidelberg and the rhine valley. in good weather conditions you can see the northern black forest. the same funicular railway that carries visitors to the castle continues to the mountain top. you will have to change trains once -- the final one to the top is a historical wooden funicular train. a separate fare is required for the historical funicular. on the top you can have a look at the more-than-100-year-old engine that just pulled you up. no worries -- made in germany!
Himmelsleiter
If you feel more energetic, you can take the Himmelsleiter Heaven's Ladder or Sky Ladder -- a stairway of 1200 steps winding up 270 meters 890 ft up to Königstuhl. It ends 10 meters east of the mountain top funicular station. The lower end of stairs is just above the castle, but a bit hidden - ask locals or look it up on this map.