Steinheim an der Murr: Discover wine country and prehistory

At the confluence of the Bottwar and Murr rivers, Steinheim an der Murr brings together riverside scenery, winegrowing and prehistory. Steep vineyards, fertile fields and meadows, and extensive woodland shape the landscape. This means you can tailor your stay to different interests, combining nature and outdoor activities with a museum visit or a look at historic buildings.

Vineyards, views and protected landscapes

Steinheim’s vineyards are among the best wine-growing areas in Württemberg. On the Steinberg, a terraced slope lies within the Unteres Murrtal Landscape Protection Area. Old dry-stone walls built from shell limestone are preserved there, helping to protect the habitat of the wall lizards. The combination of vineyards, fields and woodland makes the changing landscape a defining part of a stay here.

There is a terrace at the Benning viewpoint. In good weather, the view stretches across the Bottwar Valley to the Zabergäu and Stromberg. If you enjoy taking in the landscape from a viewpoint, this spot offers a different perspective on the surroundings than the paths through the vineyards and woodland.

The Early Man Museum and historic townscapes

The Early Man Museum is a branch of the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart and has been housed in the Hans-Trautwein-Haus since 1968. Spanning two floors and 340 square metres, the exhibition focuses on the Steinheim early human, local geology and Ice Age wildlife. A skull fragment of Homo steinheimensis was found in Steinheim in 1933 and attributed to a woman who died at around 25 years of age, some 400,000 years ago. Audio tours of the exhibition are available in full-length, short, English-language and child-friendly versions; availability may change.

The historic town walk also leads to notable traces of the town’s past. At the town hall, the stone base dates from 1580; the half-timbered structure was rebuilt after a fire in 1686. The walk also describes a fortified church surrounded by a walled cemetery. The museum and townscapes offer different ways to explore the past: the exhibition focuses on prehistory and geology, while the walk takes in historic buildings.

Hiking trails and outdoor activities

The Steinheimer Weg is a circular hike of around 22 kilometres linking Steinheim, Kleinbottwar and Höpfigheim. There are six hiking car parks along the route. For a shorter walk, try the Hardy Trail in the Hardtwald between Kleinbottwar and Großbottwar: this family-friendly forest nature trail is about 1.5 kilometres long, has 16 learning stations, is accessible with a pushchair and leads to a shelter with barbecue facilities. The two trails differ considerably in length and focus.

At the Burgberg viewpoint, you can see the remains of a medieval castle; there is also a fire pit and seating. The viewpoint can be reached via around 300 steps. If you prefer a wheeled activity, the asphalt pump track is behind the P3 car park at the Wellarium, towards the vineyards. It can be used by beginners and experienced riders alike, as well as by skateboarders, mini-scooter riders and inline skaters. Check the condition of the facility on site before visiting.

More to discover in the wider Ludwigsburg destination

In the wider Ludwigsburg destination, the approximately 35-kilometre Celtic Trail connects nine significant Celtic-era finds in the district of Ludwigsburg. The Hochdorf/Enz Celtic Museum features a lavish burial chamber of a Celtic prince, reconstructed to match the original, and offers insights into the everyday life and crafts of early Celtic people. These regional destinations add further archaeological discoveries to Steinheim’s themes.

Choose accommodation to suit your plans

Compare the locations of specific accommodation options with the places you want to visit, and choose your base to suit your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ditzingen, Pleidelsheim, Freudental, Marbach am Neckar, Großbottwar, Möglingen, Sachsenheim, Kornwestheim.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ludwigsburg.