Discover Nordrach: Hiking Trails, Herbs and Fruit Distilling

In Nordrach, discoveries range from hiking trails through wooded mountain slopes to a themed trail about fruit distilling, a herb garden and an unusual spring. There is also a historic blacksmith’s shop and praline tastings. You can shape your trip around exercise, nature, local themes or a mix of all three.

Hiking and viewpoints

The Nordrach Valley has more than 300 kilometres of marked hiking trails. The wooded mountain slopes are very well served by paths, offering plenty of options if you want to explore the landscape on foot. Another option is the seven signposted Nordic walking loops. They lead to the village’s most beautiful viewpoints and give your outing a clearly defined route.

Another landmark is the wooded Mühlstein at an altitude of 550 metres. There you’ll find hiking trails and the old St. Wendelinus Chapel. The chapel adds a cultural and historical dimension to the network of trails. Your choice of route may therefore also depend on whether you prefer the viewpoints along the loops or the trails around the Mühlstein.

Fruit distilling, herbs and treats

The 20-kilometre Fruit Distillers’ Trail winds through the Black Forest landscape of the Nordrach Valley. Along the way, it passes distillery farms that still hold the right to distil. Information boards explain fruit distilling and the fruits used in the process. The trail combines a longer walk with insights into a local craft: its focus is not only the landscape, but also how fruit is processed.

The Heil-Kräuter-Garten, or medicinal herb garden, opened in Nordrach in 2009 and offers another way to explore herbs. You can discover a variety of herbs there. The garden also has a seating and relaxation area, as well as a barefoot path. Choco L in Nordrach offers praline tastings—a further treat, alongside the Fruit Distillers’ Trail and its information about distilling.

Blacksmithing history and the Sand Spring

The historic Backofenschmiede at Talstraße 9 originated as a small building by the stream, constructed in 1891. In 1924, an extension transformed it into a large smithy. This history makes the site interesting for anyone who wants to explore local history alongside nature and food.

A very different attraction is the Sand Spring in Bärhag. Water rises in its circular spring pool, carrying sand with it and creating small sand fountains. The process is easy to understand: the water carries the sand to the surface, where this unusual natural spectacle can be seen.

Ortenaukreis: the wider region

The wider destination of Ortenaukreis encompasses landscapes between the Rhine and the Black Forest. There are 23 nature reserves across a total area of around 3,110 hectares, stretching from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. Also in Ortenaukreis, Rulantica offers year-round water fun for the whole family, with numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions and the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. These regional attractions offer a broader perspective; Nordrach’s defining features remain its trails, natural phenomena, herbs and local themes.

Nordrach offers a variety of ways to explore, without limiting your plans to just one kind of experience.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Oppenau, Renchen, Hausach, Wolfach, Durbach, Biberach, Seelbach and Achern.

For the regional travel overview: Ortenaukreis.