Two lakes in the city park, a forest trail with 14 stations, and a printing press where you can print title pages of historical pamphlets yourself: Böblingen offers different ways to experience nature and history. The hiking trails also vary considerably in length and character. The options range from an adventure trail in the town forest to longer routes that combine nature, art and exercise.
Hiking Trails, Landscapes and Views
In Böblingen Town Forest, the 4.5-kilometre forest adventure trail passes 14 stations. The Herzog-Jäger Trail in Waldenbuch is considerably longer at 13.7 kilometres; as a premium hiking trail, it offers numerous highlights and interactive stations. The 23-kilometre Heckengäu adventure trail runs around Aidlingen. Its stations include an educational soil trail, a sensory area and a low ropes course. The length and themes of the stations help you choose between the different trails.
The main SCULPTOURA route is around 65 kilometres long. It runs from Waldenbuch via Weil der Stadt to Leonberg, combining nature, art and exercise. Convenient public transport access points along the route are Weil der Stadt, Renningen, Rutesheim, Leonberg, Ehningen and Holzgerlingen. The first four towns can be reached from Stuttgart on the S6/S60. You can reach Ehningen on the S1 from Herrenberg or Stuttgart, and Holzgerlingen on the Schönbuchbahn from the direction of Böblingen or Dettenhausen.
A short and a long circular hiking trail follow paved paths to the centre of Baden-Württemberg and explore the area around Böblingen. The centre of the state is marked by a sandstone stele and several sculptures. The Schönbuchturm also offers views of the landscape: its panoramic views take in Schönbuch Nature Park, the Swabian Orchard Paradise and the landscapes of the Korn- and Heckengäu regions.
Museums of Regional History and Art
The German Peasants' War Museum in Böblingen documents the German Peasants' War of 1525. Visitors can print title pages of pamphlets from the Reformation and the Peasants' War on a working, true-to-scale replica of an early printing press. Here, you can explore both the historical subject and a specific printing technique.
The German Butchers' Museum is devoted to the history of the traditional butchery trade. It shows how meat and sausages were made with a sausage kitchen from around 1900, and traces the development of historical shops from the 14th to the 19th century. These time periods place a glimpse inside a kitchen from around 1900 in the context of a craft history stretching back much further.
In Waldenbuch, the Museum of Everyday Culture – Waldenbuch Castle is housed in the former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Württemberg, in the town centre. Also in Waldenbuch, MUSEUM RITTER focuses mainly on geometric abstract art. In addition to its exhibitions, it offers guided tours and art talks for adults and children.
The Kepler Museum in Weil der Stadt is divided into seven chronologically arranged exhibition areas. It displays several major works by Johannes Kepler, mostly in their original editions. The Weil der Stadt City Museum is designed as an immersive chronicle of the town and comprises 15 rooms on three floors. In Herrenberg, the City Gallery presents exhibitions across a range of art forms, including painting, graphic art, photography and sculpture.
The bell museum at Herrenberg Collegiate Church houses 36 bells that can be rung across two levels. Access involves climbing 146 steps; from there, you can look out over Herrenberg and the Gäu region. Bell concerts are held regularly on the first Saturday of each month at 5 pm. Check the current concert date before your visit. In Grafenau, the local history museum presents rural farming and domestic life as well as village crafts; it is part of the cultural and communications centre at Dätzingen Castle.
Leisure and Special Experiences
Two lakes are at the heart of Böblingen City Park. Boating, playing, inline skating and strolling offer different ways to spend time outdoors there. MOTORWORLD Region Stuttgart offers a different view of technology and vehicles: in the listed halls of the former state airport, it presents a collection of several hundred exceptional cars and motorcycles that changes daily.
At the Ritter Sport Bunte Schokowelt, chocolate fans aged four and up can create their own favourite chocolate in a Family & Friends workshop; advance registration is required. At Schönbuch Braumanufaktur, visitors can learn about the individual stages of beer production. Both experiences focus on production and craftsmanship—one on chocolate, the other on beer.
Discover more destinations: Gäufelden, Sindelfingen, Schönaich, Leonberg, Holzgerlingen, Herrenberg, Gärtringen, Böblingen, Steinenbronn, Rutesheim, Merklingen, Mötzingen, Weil Der Stadt, Weissach, Renningen, Waldenbuch, Aidlingen, Ehningen, Bondorf, Grafenau, Deckenpfronn, Jettingen, Magstadt and Nufringen.
Go to the main travel overview: Baden-Württemberg.
