Steinheim an der Murr lies at the confluence of the Bottwar and Murr rivers. Its landscape includes steep vineyards, fertile fields and meadows, as well as extensive woodland. This gives you a range of themes to consider when planning your stay: winegrowing and viewpoints, hiking trails, a museum of prehistory and historic sites in town.
Vineyards, Landscape and Views
Steinheim’s vineyards are among the finest wine-growing areas in Württemberg. Steinberg gives you an impression of the hillside landscape: its terraced slopes are part of the Unteres Murrtal Landscape Protection Area. There, old dry-stone walls built from shell limestone are maintained as a habitat for sand lizards.
The Benning viewpoint has a terrace. In good weather, the view extends across the Bottwar Valley as far as the Zabergäu and Stromberg. The view therefore depends on weather conditions. You can also explore the landscape and winegrowing along the Steinheim Trail: this circular route is about 22 kilometres long, connects Steinheim, Kleinbottwar and Höpfigheim, and has six hiking car parks along the way.
Hiking and Outdoor Activities
Another notable stop is the Burgberg viewpoint. It can be reached via approximately 300 steps; at the top are the remains of a medieval castle, a fire pit and seating.
The WeinKulTourer route also passes through Steinheim and connects the Bottwar Valley with the Neckar Valley. If you include this route in your plans, check its current seasonal and service status beforehand. The route description itself does not specify the means of transport for using it.
For activity on a paved surface, there is a pump track behind the Wellarium’s P3 car park, in the direction of the vineyards. It can be used by beginners and experienced users alike; permitted equipment includes skateboards, mini scooters and inline skates. As the condition of the facility may change, check it before use.
The Prehistoric Museum and Steinheim’s History
The Prehistoric Museum is a branch of the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History and has been housed in the Hans-Trautwein-Haus since 1968. The exhibition covers two floors and 340 square metres. It focuses on the Steinheim early human, local geology and Ice Age wildlife. Audio tours are available in full and short versions, as well as in English and a child-friendly version. As availability may change, check the current offering before your visit.
The skull fragment Homo steinheimensis was found in Steinheim in 1933. It is attributed to a woman who died about 400,000 years ago at the age of approximately 25. The story of the discovery and the Ice Age exhibition offer a different focus from the town’s later architectural and urban history.
The historic town walk highlights the town hall: its stone base dates from 1580, and its half-timbered upper structure was rebuilt after a fire in 1686. The walk also describes a fortified church surrounded by a walled cemetery. This allows you to explore the town’s architectural history and its much older geological and human history as distinct themes.
Steinheim within the wider Ludwigsburg destination
In the wider Ludwigsburg destination, terraced, steep vineyards along the Neckar and Enz rivers shape the district’s landscape. Another cultural highlight is Ludwigsburg Residential Palace, one of Europe’s largest Baroque buildings preserved in its original form.
Discover more destinations: Gemmrigheim, Hessigheim, Freiberg am Neckar, Schwieberdingen, Gerlingen, Bietigheim-Bissingen, GroĂźbottwar, Eberdingen
Back to the destination overview: Ludwigsburg.
