Glastal, Protected landscape area in Reutlingen, Germany

Glastal is a 97.8-hectare protected landscape area in the municipalities of Hayingen and Zwiefalten, running about 4 km north to south. The Hasenbach flows through it to Wimsen, where it joins the Zwiefalter Ach. The north is wooded with block forests and rock formations; near Schloss Ehrenfels the valley opens into grassland, and south of Wimsen a ravine-like wooded section leads toward Gossenzugen.

Glastal was designated a Landschaftsschutzgebiet by the Landratsamt Münsingen on 22 July 1958, covering about 97.8 hectares on the territory of Hayingen and Zwiefalten. The northern section later became a core zone of the Schwäbische Alb biosphere reserve, while the rest lies in its buffer zone. The valley is also part of the FFH area Glastal, Großer Buchwald und Tautschbuch and the bird sanctuary Täler der Mittleren Flächenalb.

The Hasenbach flows through the valley and joins the Zwiefalter Ach at Wimsen, where the Wimsener Höhle cave stands as a natural monument. The northern section lies in the core zone of the Schwäbische Alb biosphere reserve, the rest in its buffer zone. The meadows near Wimsen are recorded as the FFH habitat type of lowland hay meadow.

The area is accessible from multiple entry points, with walking trails connecting different sections of the valley. The terrain can be wet and muddy depending on the season, so sturdy footwear is advisable for exploring the protected zone.

The Wimsener Höhle, a designated natural monument, sits roughly in the middle of the protected area. The northern part of the valley belongs to the core zone of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve, while the rest lies in its buffer zone. The Hasenbach stream crosses the valley and joins the Zwiefalter Ach at Wimsen.