The Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. Its tourism offerings range from protected landscapes to water experiences in Rust and cultural discoveries. This provides several starting points for planning a trip, rather than reducing the district to a single attraction. First, consider whether nature, water or history should shape your stay.
Nature between the Rhine Plain and the Black Forest
There are 23 nature reserves in the Ortenaukreis, covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares. They extend from the Rhine Plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. Taubergießen covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg. The figures represent different scales: around 3,110 hectares is the combined area of all 23 reserves, while 1,695 hectares refers to Taubergießen as a single protected area. This helps put the Ortenaukreis’s varied landscapes into perspective, from an overview of the entire district to a specifically named nature reserve.
Water experiences in Rust
Europa-Park is located in the municipality of Rust. Rulantica offers water fun for the whole family all year round and features numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions. Rulantica also includes Hyggedal, the relaxation and sauna area. The water experience therefore combines different elements: indoor and outdoor attractions, as well as an area for relaxation and saunas. If water is at the heart of your trip planning, this distinction offers a practical way to understand the different aspects of Rulantica.
Minerals, farmsteads and cultural history
MiMa showcases unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach association (Verein der Freunde von Mineralien und Bergbau Oberwolfach e. V.). The Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum focuses on something different: A tour of historic farmhouses shows how people lived and worked in the Black Forest up to 600 years ago. The contrast highlights the shift in perspective: MiMa is about minerals and their collection, while Vogtsbauernhof focuses on past ways of living and working. Here, you can explore two different approaches to natural and everyday history.
Gengenbach adds another distinct offering: The Gengenbach night watchman’s tour includes 12 stops and the traditional night watchman’s song. The Gengenbach night watchmen’s public tours are free, and no registration is required. This guided experience differs from MiMa’s exhibitions and the historical displays at Vogtsbauernhof. Check visitor information before your trip so you can include the tour in your plans.
When looking for a hotel, the distinction between nature and cultural experiences can be a practical guide. Nature reserves provide the focus on landscapes, while MiMa, Vogtsbauernhof and the night watchman’s tour represent different cultural topics and formats.
Discover more destinations: Ichenheim, Hornberg, Oberharmersbach, Seebach, Steinach, Rust, Zell Am Harmersbach, Wolfach, Seelbach, Oppenau, Ohlsbach, Offenburg, Oberwolfach, Oberkirch, Nordrach, Mühlenbach, Meißenheim, Kappelrodeck, Gengenbach, Biberach, Berghaupten, Appenweier, Achern, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Durbach, Rheinau, Ettenheim, Mahlberg, Ringsheim, Sasbachwalden, Kippenheim, Schwanau, Sasbach, Ottenhöfen Im Schwarzwald, Lahr/Schwarzwald, Neuried, Haslach Im Kinzigtal, Lauf, Ortenberg, Willstätt, Fischerbach, Renchen, Hofstetten, Schuttertal, Hausach, Friesenheim, Kappel-Grafenhausen, Kehl, Schutterwald, Gutach, Hohberg, Lautenbach.
To the higher-level travel overview: Baden-WĂĽrttemberg.
