Ortenberg: Panorama Trail, Castle and Chapel

Explore Ortenberg through a range of themes: winegrowing along the Panorama Trail, the history of Ortenberg Castle and religious art. You can plan your trip around your interests, whether they lie more in vineyards and landscapes, architectural history or insight into the religious past.

Winegrowing and trails around Ortenberg

The Ortenberg Panorama Trail runs from the Griesacker memorial stone near the boundary with Fessenbach to Ortenberg Castle and can be walked in either direction. Information boards provide details about winegrowing, and a demonstration plot showcases various vine-training methods. The trail also includes the Schloss Ortenberg winery’s varietal garden, featuring more than 30 grape varieties with descriptions. The route therefore offers different insights into winegrowing, from vine training to the named varieties.

The Felix Burda Park is also part of the Panorama Trail. If you would like to include more trails in your plans, the well-developed network of Ortenberg forest trails connects to the Panorama Trail. This connection adds another way to explore the surrounding area on foot. The trail itself can be walked in either direction—a useful point of reference when planning your route between the two endpoints mentioned above.

The castle’s history and seasonal access

Ortenberg Castle is one endpoint of the Panorama Trail. Gabriel Leonhard von Berckholtz had the castle built in its present form between 1838 and 1843. During the summer months, the Upper Castle Courtyard and the tower complex are open to everyone. Check the current arrangements for seasonal access before your visit. Castle tours can be booked for groups of 20 or more through the youth hostel; check the current booking arrangements with the provider.

Another glimpse into the town’s history takes you further back: the menhir from the Late Neolithic period is known as the Gluggelistein or Bibelistein. It is clearly visible from the ridge path behind Ortenberg Castle.

Bühlweg Church and Chapel

The Bühlweg Church of Maria Ruh is a pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The present-day Bühlweg Chapel was built in the late Gothic style in 1497 and augmented with Baroque elements in the 18th century. Rediscovered late-medieval frescoes can be seen inside. The building’s history, later additions and frescoes offer different points of interest for visitors interested in religious art and historic architecture.

Tours of the Bühlweg Chapel are offered by the Catholic parish. Contact the parish to check the current arrangements for tours. This means planning a visit differs from the seasonal access arrangements for the Upper Castle Courtyard and tower complex: here, the parish’s tour program is the main consideration.

Ortenberg as part of the wider Ortenau District destination

The Ortenau District lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The region has 23 nature reserves with a total area of around 3,110 hectares, stretching from the Rhine Plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. Their number, size and range of elevations provide a distinct context for nature-related attractions in the Ortenau District.

Other destinations in the Ortenau District offer additional regional highlights. Europa-Park is in Rust. Also in Rust, Rulantica offers year-round water fun for the whole family, with indoor and outdoor water attractions as well as the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. At the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum, a tour of historic farmhouses shows how people in the Black Forest lived and worked up to 600 years ago.

Choose accommodation based on your planned interests

If you want your stay to focus on winegrowing trails, castle history and the Bühlweg Church, you can choose Ortenberg as your search destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Mühlenbach, Meißenheim, Nordrach, Rust, Durbach, Ettenheim, Appenweier, Achern.

See the wider travel guide: Ortenau District.