Oppenau lies in the Rench Valley on the edge of the Black Forest National Park. When choosing a place to stay, outdoor activities, scenery and culture go hand in hand: hiking and mountain biking trails range from easy to challenging, and four paragliding launch sites add to the outdoor options. A museum, historic sites and festivals offer further points of interest. You can shape your stay around hiking, local history or a mix of both.
Hiking trails and nature destinations
The Renchtalsteig is a long-distance hiking trail almost 100 kilometers long that circles the Rench Valley. In Oppenau, it passes through Kalikutt and descends to Hugenhöfe. This gives you a specific destination in town as well as a trail that covers a wide area. When planning your hiking, it is worth considering your preferred distance and available time together.
The Allerheiligen Waterfalls plunge almost 90 meters over seven cascades. A visitor path leads through the gorge, with numerous steps and several bridges. The steps and crossings shape the route, so take them into account when planning your day. The Allerheiligen Monastery ruins are considered an early example of Gothic architecture. They are freely accessible, and an information center is located below the complex.
The Buchkopf Tower also offers views across the Black Forest, the Rhine Plain and the Vosges. As of August 15, 2026, the tower was closed for an indefinite period. Check its current status before your trip. The geographic center of Baden is at the foot of the Maisacher Grat on the Maisacher Turmsteig trail and is accessible only on foot.
Local history, museums and the festival calendar
The local history museum explains Oppenau’s development and life in the upper Rench Valley; it houses more than 2,500 exhibits. Another way to explore local history is the Museum on the Street: the circular route passes through Oppenau, presents historical facts and includes a historic mill. The Handwerkerbrunnen fountain depicts local trades and stands in front of a historic mill.
The old town gate is one of Oppenau’s attractions. The cemetery chapel is considered the town’s oldest church. Together, these places give local history specific names and points of interest; the local history museum complements them with themes from the upper Rench Valley and its extensive collection.
Festivals can also influence when you choose to visit. The winter Oppenauer Fasent carnival is one of the main festival highlights. The town festival takes place on the last weekend in August. Exact dates may vary from year to year, so it is a good idea to check them before your trip.
Local products include Black Forest cherry schnapps and Renchtaler Rossler, made from Jerusalem artichokes. Farmers in Oppenau produce both specialties. They add a culinary dimension to the nature and culture on offer without limiting your stay to a single activity.
Getting there and finding accommodation
By car, take the Appenweier exit and follow the B28 toward Oberkirch and Freudenstadt. For regional rail connections, travelers can change in Offenburg from an IC train to the Rench Valley Railway toward Oberkirch and Bad Griesbach. Search for hotels in Oppenau according to the focus of your trip: trails and scenery, museums and local history, or a stay timed around a festival.
Ortenaukreis as a wider point of reference
The wider travel destination of Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The district has 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares; they extend from the Rhine Plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This information relates to Ortenaukreis as a whole, not just Oppenau.
Discover more destinations: Ramsbach, Oberkirch, Oberwolfach, Willstätt, Kappelrodeck, Schutterwald, Kehl, Biberach.
For the wider travel overview: Ortenaukreis.
