Ohlsbach: Circular Walks, Chapels and Views

Explore Ohlsbach on circular walks, among vineyards and at sacred sites. The well-developed, signposted network of hiking trails offers routes with different durations and characteristics.

Circular Walks with Different Highlights

The circular walk “Grandma’s Walk” takes about an hour and is easy, shady and relaxing. At 60 minutes, “The Panopticon” is similarly short but quite different: the route is steep and sunny, with far-reaching views. The 75-minute “Swinging Ship” is easy and sunny; it, too, offers interesting panoramic views. For a longer walk, “The Boomerang” is a shady, easy route that takes 90 minutes. The “Philosopher’s Path,” which also takes 90 minutes, is shady and considered intellectually stimulating.

Several circular walks are suitable for about two hours, with varying features. “The Carousel” is shady and easy. “The Little Paradise” also takes 120 minutes; it is easy and interesting, is described as rewarding, and offers distant views. The path is shady in places. The 120-minute “Turntable” is shady and cool, easy to walk, and offers panoramic views. As a circular route, it opens up many possibilities. You can reach the route via Ortenberg-Freudental or Ohlsbach-Nothalde; parking is available at Ohlsbach-Nothalde.

“In the Cool Valley” takes 150 minutes and is shady and cool; this route is also easy to walk. If you have more time, “The Ferris Wheel,” at 300 minutes, is a longer tour. It features a mountain inn and views of the Vosges, the Rhine Valley and the Black Forest mountains with the Kinzig Valley. This lets you choose between shorter trails, shady sections and routes with panoramic views, while keeping the duration of each in mind.

Chapels, Vineyards and Sacred Monuments

The Chapel of Mary in the Vineyard stands among the vineyards above Ohlsbach and is a popular destination for locals and visitors. From there, you can enjoy a wonderful view across the village and valley. The chapel combines a specific place to visit with a view of the surrounding area.

The Maria-Hilf Chapel in Hinterohlsbach, more than 150 years old, is also part of the area’s history: it was built in 1850. Following renovations, the sacred roadside monuments in the Ohlsbach municipal area are in good to very good condition. With the exception of the Murder Cross, the sacred monuments date from the late 17th century, though most are from the 18th century. Chapels and monuments offer a different focus from the circular walks and views, adding historic stops to an exploration of the area.

Forest, Protected Areas and Cycling

Fifty-six hectares of the Riesenwald forest are designated as a strictly protected forest reserve. In the destination’s immediate surroundings, the landscape around Brandeckkopf is also designated as a protected area; it serves as a refuge for endangered plants and animals. Nature lovers may want to explore the protected natural areas around Ohlsbach.

There are suitable routes for cyclists and mountain bikers around the municipal area. Most tours follow cycle paths, forest tracks and quiet roads. Options include family cycling tours, challenging rides and leisurely trips through the Kinzig Valley. This offers different ways to plan a day out: a walk, a bike ride or a visit to one of the chapels.

Ohlsbach in the Ortenau District

The Ortenau District lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest, providing a broader regional context. The district 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 diversity adds to the picture of Ohlsbach, whose local highlights range from hiking trails and forests to vineyards, chapels and cycling routes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Lauf, Haslach in the Kinzig Valley, Gengenbach, Friesenheim, Meißenheim, Renchen, Oberkirch, Ottenhöfen in the Black Forest.

Return to the regional travel overview: Ortenau District.