Kirchheim am Neckar: Vineyard Terraces and the Neckar Loop

Kirchheim am Neckar combines a riverside landscape with steep vineyard terraces. Kapellenberg lies on a tight bend in the Neckar and is among the steepest vineyard sites in the region. The loops of the Neckar between Ludwigsburg and Kirchheim am Neckar are also characterised by steep, terraced vineyards. Further afield, vineyards, fields and forests alternate; the landscape invites you to embark on longer excursions.

Vineyard Terraces and Trails along the Neckar

The Kapellenberg Loop runs across vineyard terraces along the Neckar bend. Along the way, there are views across the Neckar Valley and of the sinter rocks on the riverbank. The loop is six kilometres long and includes two climbs and a descent via vineyard steps.

The signposted Kirchheim hiking trail is ten kilometres long and takes about two and a half hours. It leads through vineyards and orchards and passes viewpoints such as an old vineyard hut and the loop hill formed by an old bend in the Neckar. The natural monument Trauf and the Wasen nature reserve are also on the route. The Wasen nature reserve is considered one of the last remnants of alluvial forest along the Neckar. For planning your day, the trails differ in both distance and terrain: the Kapellenberg Loop includes climbs and vineyard steps, while an approximate duration is also given for the longer hiking trail.

Winegrowing and Architectural History

Since 2019, the municipality has cultivated formerly fallow terrace plots and produced its own terrace wines. At the Kirchheim wine terrace, wine is served almost every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local associations and members of WG Stromberg-Zabergäu present their wines there. Check the current date before visiting so you can plan around the regular wine service.

St Mauritius Church dates back to a Romanesque choir-tower church. Later additions include Gothic pointed-arch windows and a Gothic portal. Other architectural features include a choir net vault and a sacristy with a groin vault. Its Romanesque origins and later Gothic additions reveal the different phases of construction.

Cycling and Other Views of the Neckar

Kirchheim is right on the Neckar Valley Cycle Route. Cycling along the route offers an opportunity to enjoy nature and relax in Kirchheim. RegioRadStuttgart stations in Kirchheim am Neckar allow one-way rides, with the return journey by S-Bahn. Check the current station status before setting off. Canoeing is also a sport and leisure option on the stretch of the Neckar between Stuttgart and Kirchheim am Neckar.

More Cultural Highlights in the Ludwigsburg Destination

The wider Ludwigsburg destination offers further cultural highlights. Ludwigsburg Residential Palace is one of the largest Baroque buildings in Europe to have been preserved in its original form. The Celts’ Trail links nine significant finds from the Celtic period along a route of about 35 kilometres through the district of Ludwigsburg. The Celts’ Trail AR app brings the nine archaeological sites to life with interactive VR and AR elements. The Hochdorf/Enz Celtic Museum includes a faithfully reconstructed, richly decorated burial chamber of a Celtic prince and offers insights into the everyday life and craftsmanship of early Celtic people.

Discover more destinations: Marbach am Neckar, Gemmrigheim, Kornwestheim, Vaihingen an der Enz, Erligheim, Hessigheim, Pleidelsheim, Tamm.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Ludwigsburg.