Ehrenkirchen combines a wooded natural landscape between Markgräflerland and Breisgau with hiking trails, vineyard sites and traces of history. For finding your way around locally, there are ten signposted hiking trails. Mountain bikers can choose from four signposted routes, each of which starts and ends at the town hall as a circular route. The trail layouts therefore already differ: hikers can choose from local routes, while the mountain bike tours share a starting and finishing point.
Hiking among nature reserves and historic sites
Regional trails also pass through Ehrenkirchen: the Bettlerpfad and the Markgräfler Wiiwegli are long-distance hiking trails. Another route that passes through clearly named landscape areas is the Stone Age Trail. It runs through the Ölberg Ehrenstetten Nature Reserve and the Schönberg Special Area of Conservation, with its Black Forest slopes. For detailed planning, it is worth checking the latest information about the trails and protected areas.
The Mining Trail has a different focus: in the Ehrenstetter Grund, it showcases well-preserved remains of medieval silver mining. These include a large wheel chamber, a dam and three open mine shafts. The route can be covered on foot or by bike: about 3.2 kilometers lead to the Ehrenstetter Grund, followed by a loop of around two kilometers. The Archaeology Trail is listed as a longer route at 6.5 kilometers and connects a Celtic hilltop settlement with Alemannic graves. The route descriptions therefore take different forms: the Mining Trail describes the approach and loop separately, while the Archaeology Trail gives the total distance.
Vineyard sites and views
The Ehrenstetter Ölberg is one of the few vineyard sites in the Markgräflerland wine-growing region that faces entirely south. The nature reserve on the Ölberg has been in place since 1996 and covers around 24 hectares. Wines produced on the Ehrenstetter Ölberg are considered high quality; the specific wines available may vary. Winegrowing and nature conservation are two distinct aspects of this named area.
Another way to experience the landscape is to walk across the vine-covered Kirchberg to Bellenhöhe. Along the way, the trail offers views across the Rhine plain, the Kaiserstuhl, Breisach and the Vosges in Alsace.
Kirchhofen’s architectural history
The elevated Baroque pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary stands in Kirchhofen, and its history stretches back 600 years. The present-day pilgrimage church was built in 1409 as a Gothic stone structure and expanded in the Baroque style from 1740 onwards. Its architectural history can therefore be divided into two phases: the Gothic origins followed by the Baroque expansion. The former moated castle, which dates from the 13th century, is also in Kirchhofen.
There are other specific points of interest in Ehrenstetten: St. George’s Church is opposite Wentzingerplatz, and Christian Wentzinger’s birthplace is also located there. Taken together, these sites offer different ways to explore Ehrenkirchen’s history—from the former moated castle and the development of the pilgrimage church to landmarks in Ehrenstetten.
Plan day trips too
Those wishing to include other destinations alongside the trails and historic sites can plan day trips to Strasbourg, Colmar and Mulhouse in Alsace, as well as Basel in Switzerland.
Discover more destinations
Ehrenstetten, March, Kirchzarten, Oberglottertal, Buggingen, Merdingen, Sankt Peter Im Schwarzwald, Freiburg Im Breisgau
For the main travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.
