Endingen am Kaiserstuhl: Trails, Wine and History

Endingen am Kaiserstuhl combines trails through vineyards and volcanic landscapes with a rich urban history. Circular walks and cycling routes start right in Endingen; there are also historic buildings, museums and wine-related activities. You can tailor your trip to whether you prefer spending time outdoors, are interested in local history, or would like to combine the two.

Hiking through vineyards and along loess paths

Numerous circular walks and cycling routes start right in Endingen and lead through vineyards, forests and volcanic hills. The Kaiserstuhlpfad trail begins here and passes through vineyards, deciduous forests, loess paths and protected areas. If you are interested in a panoramic hiking trail, the Katharinenpfad is another route starting from Endingen. The two trails offer different ways to experience the landscape.

The protected Amolterer Heide heathland is in Amoltern, a district of Endingen, and is home to many orchid species. The Amolterer Kräuterpfad herb trail also runs there as a circular route, passing information boards about wild herbs. Nature enthusiasts can take these local and thematic connections into account when choosing activities: the Kaiserstuhlpfad focuses on different types of landscapes, while the herb trail has its own distinct theme.

By bike and getting here

Endingen also offers a convenient starting point for cycling trips: the Kaiserstuhl-Radweg cycle route lets you visit picturesque villages around the Kaiserstuhl. The Endingen Tourist Information provides visitors with information and materials about hiking and cycling tours. You can also rent e-bikes there. This can help with planning if you are comparing different route ideas or deciding whether to focus on hiking or cycling.

The Kaiserstuhl is considered a destination accessible by bus, train and car. From the Riegel exit on the A5, Endingen is around five kilometres away by road. On the drive from Riegel, you can enjoy views of the Kaiserstuhl and, often, the Vosges as well.

City gates, a church and local history

The Königschaffhauser Tor, locally known as the Torli, is the only surviving western gate of Endingen’s four city gates. St. Peter’s parish church was first mentioned in 1256. Its nave was rebuilt between 1773 and 1775 and is considered a late Baroque regional landmark. The gate and the church offer two different historical points of interest: one is a surviving city gate, the other a building with a long history and a distinctive construction phase in the 18th century.

The Kaiserstühler Heimatmuseum explores Endingen’s urban history, crafts, viticulture and guild patron saints. The topics documented there also include the emigration of around 400 people from the Kaiserstuhl region to Tovar, Venezuela, in 1843. This episode adds a connection to South America to the story of the town. The Fasnetsmuseum displays carnival figures associated with Endingen’s lively carnival tradition.

The Käserei Museum offers a different historical focus: it is housed in a former cheese dairy that opened in 1901 and produced Alemannic cheese. This means the town’s history, carnival and the history of cheesemaking are presented as distinct topics. When choosing cultural stops for your trip, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in architecture, crafts, the history of emigration or living traditions.

The old town and wine as a shared experience

Endingen offers a guided tour of the old town, followed by a wine tasting at the Knab winery. This combines exploring the town with a specific wine experience.

Discover more destinations

Simonswald, Bahlingen, Gutach Im Breisgau, Riegel Am Kaiserstuhl, Weisweil, Sasbach Am Kaiserstuhl, Sexau, Teningen

For the broader travel overview: Emmendingen.