For a trip to Öllingen, the landscape and local history take centre stage. In and around the village, the Lone Valley invites you to hike, linger and marvel at its rare animal and plant species. In the village, a biotope designed to be close to nature and the Protestant parish church of St. Ulrich offer further ways to explore nature and architectural history.
Nature in the Lone Valley and in the heart of Öllingen
The Lone Valley is a focal point for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and wants to take time to appreciate the landscape. Rare animal and plant species are part of its character. However, sightings of specific wild animals are not guaranteed. The combination of hiking and lingering makes this natural area more than just a stretch of trail: you can enjoy both activity and breaks without planning for a particular wildlife encounter.
In the heart of Öllingen, the former fire pond has been transformed into a biotope designed to be close to nature. The biotope includes an open body of water, places to sit and habitats for frogs and dragonflies. If you plan to take a break somewhere to sit or want to rely on a particular access point, check local conditions in advance. The natural area around Öllingen has also been undergoing renaturation and protection for years.
Bockstein nearby
About three kilometres north of Öllingen, the Bockstein massif lies on the eastern edge of the Lone Valley. It comprises several caves and archaeological sites; Bockstein Cave is the main cave. It is currently inaccessible. When planning your visit, it is therefore important to distinguish the massif as an archaeological site nearby from a visit to the cave: Bockstein Cave cannot currently be entered.
Church architecture and historical agriculture
The Protestant parish church of St. Ulrich in Öllingen is a Romanesque hall church with a Baroque tower structure. Its description thus brings together two clearly defined architectural features in one building. The church adds a specific aspect of local history to the focus on nature, without requiring a longer trip into the surrounding area.
Agriculture also shaped everyday life around Öllingen: flax, grain, fruit and hops have influenced local development there since 1825. This historical thread offers a different perspective from the church architecture. Together, the two themes provide insight into local history through building design and cultivation.
Hiking and culture in the Alb-Donau district
As a wider travel destination, the Alb-Donau district provides its own regional setting. The district is part of the Swabian Alb Biosphere Reserve. The regional hiking routes vary in both length and character: the 20 “Eiszeitpfade” (Ice Age Trails) circular routes are 6 to 14 kilometres long and are suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Eiszeitspuren” (Ice Age Tracks) are 1 to 6 kilometres long; the Reflection Trail is intended for multi-day tours. This makes it possible to distinguish between different types of hikes within the Alb-Donau district.
Archaeological sites are also part of the region’s cultural offerings. Hohle Fels near Schelklingen is a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the site where the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Geierknochenflöte” (Vulture Bone Flute) were found; both finds are about 42,500 years old. The Stone Age village of Ehrenstein is in Blaustein, a Neolithic settlement in the Blau Valley. It is part of the transnational, serial UNESCO World Heritage property “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps.” This makes it possible to distinguish Öllingen’s local nature and history from the separately located hiking and cultural attractions in the Alb-Donau district.
Discover more destinations: Rammingen, Allmendingen, Emerkingen, Holzkirch, Dornstadt, Langenau, Dietenheim, Ulm.
View the wider travel guide: Alb-Donau district.
