Discover Öllingen: Lonetal, nature and local history

Öllingen lies at an elevation of 526 metres on the southern slope of the Flächenalb. The Lonetal in and around the village invites you to hike, linger and explore; rare animal and plant species give the landscape a special appeal. In the village, a former fire pond redesigned as a nature-oriented habitat, the Protestant parish church of St. Ulrich and the history of agriculture add another perspective on nature. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between nature experiences and local history as distinct areas of interest.

Hiking and nature in the Lonetal

The Lonetal in and around Öllingen offers opportunities to hike and linger in a natural environment where rare animal and plant species can be found. If you enjoy watching wildlife, treat encounters as possible rather than guaranteed experiences. That way, the landscape itself can take centre stage, instead of tying your outing to a particular sighting.

A biotope in the heart of the village

The former fire pond in the centre of Öllingen was transformed into a nature-oriented biotope. Open water, places to sit and habitat for frogs and dragonflies bring together several aspects of nature in one place. The biotope offers a different perspective from the Lonetal: here, the focus is on a designed habitat in the village; there, on the landscape in and around Öllingen. If seating or access is important for your plans, check local conditions before your visit.

The natural environment around Öllingen has also been undergoing restoration and protection for years. This contributes to the landscape character that makes the village a destination for nature lovers.

Church and agriculture: a look at local history

The Protestant parish church of St. Ulrich is a Romanesque hall church with a Baroque tower. Two distinct architectural styles thus come together in one building—an inviting point of interest for anyone curious about architectural history.

Flax, grain and fruit cultivation, as well as hop growing, were part of Öllingen’s historical character and shaped everyday life from 1825 onwards. Alongside the landscape, the development of agriculture also tells the story of the village.

The Bockstein nearby

About three kilometres north of Öllingen, on the eastern edge of the Lonetal valley, lies the Bockstein massif. It comprises several caves and archaeological sites; the Bocksteinhöhle is the main cave. The Bockstein is currently inaccessible. For planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the two: the church and former fire pond are in Öllingen, while the Bockstein massif is nearby.

More things to experience in the Alb-Donau district

The wider travel destination of the Alb-Donau district offers additional hiking routes of varying lengths. The 20 “Eiszeitpfade” circular routes are 6 to 14 kilometres long and suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Eiszeitspuren” cover distances of 1 to 6 kilometres, while the Besinnungsweg is intended for multi-day hikes. This makes it possible to plan regional hikes according to route length and the time you would like to spend.

The Alb-Donau district also has a range of attractions for those interested in culture and archaeology. Near Schelklingen is the Hohle Fels, a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the discovery site of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Vulture Bone Flute”. Both finds are about 42,500 years old. The Obermarchtal Monastery complex offers a different historical perspective: it stands directly above the Danube and took on its present form between 1686 and 1795.

This helps you decide what kind of stay you are looking for.

Discover more destinations: Kirchen, Nellingen, Rottenacker, Laichingen, Westerheim, Ehingen, Blaubeuren, Öpfingen.

View the wider travel overview: Alb-Donau district.