Oberkirch: Trails, History and Views

Oberkirch combines trails along a former industrial canal with local history, architectural heritage and striking viewpoints. Around the Gaisbach district, highlights range from Schauenburg Castle to St. George’s Chapel; right in the city centre, the Stadtgarten invites you to linger. You can shape your stay around circular walks, historical themes and activities to enjoy together.

Circular walks with different highlights

The Oberkirch Mühlbach Trail is 6.2 kilometres long. It follows the former industrial canal downstream and returns to the starting point via the Rench embankment. Information boards provide further insights along the way. The route thus combines a specific walking trail with the history of the former industrial canal.

The Oberkirch Legends Trail is about 9 kilometres long and forms a circular route around Eselskopf, the Gaisbach district and the Wolfhag neighbourhood. Eight information boards stand along the route. In terms of distance, the Mühlbach Trail is the shorter option; the two loops therefore offer different highlights for planning your day.

Local history and architectural heritage

The Local History and Grimmelshausen Museum explores the history of the town, traditional crafts, agriculture, industry and the customs of the Rench Valley. Its themes range from the town’s development to crafts and everyday life in the valley. If you are interested in architectural history, Oberkirch offers further points of interest.

St. George’s Chapel in the Gaisbach district was endowed by Hannibal von Schauenburg in 1623. The Oberkirch Architecture Route offers a different perspective on architectural heritage: it includes six buildings in Oberkirch that meet the selection committee’s strict criteria for architectural and design quality. A single chapel and a route featuring several selected buildings thus offer different ways to explore architecture.

Schauenburg and scenic views

The ruins of Schauenburg Castle are a landmark above Oberkirch’s Gaisbach district and stand on a 397-metre-high rocky spur. The castle was built between 1070 and 1090; between 1240 and 1275, it was expanded as a shield-wall castle with several residential towers. This timeline brings two distinctive phases in its architectural history to life.

From the castle inn beside Schauenburg, the view stretches across Oberkirch and the Rhine plain as far as Strasbourg. The Geigerskopf Tower is 20 metres high and also offers views across the Rhine plain, reaching as far as the Vosges on a clear day. The two viewpoints therefore offer different outlooks and landmarks.

Stadtgarten and wine tastings

Right in the city centre, the Stadtgarten has benches, a duck pond and a large playground. Families can play mini golf and bocce, then relax in the beer garden. A visit to the city centre can thus include some play and a chance to take a break together.

The Oberkircher Winzer winegrowers’ cooperative offers public wine tastings with cellar tours. As the published schedule is subject to change, it is best to check it before your trip. That way, you can take this offering into account when planning your stay.

Oberkirch and the wider region

The Ortenau district lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. This broader travel destination has 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares; they stretch from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This regional perspective complements Oberkirch’s specific destinations with a view of the landscape across the district.

Next, check where each accommodation is located in relation to the places you plan to visit. This way, your choice can match the kind of holiday you would like to spend in Oberkirch.

Discover more destinations: Oberharmersbach, Ohlsbach, Ortenberg, Rust, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Haslach Im Kinzigtal, Meißenheim, Nordrach.

Go to the regional travel overview: Ortenau district.