Discover Ortenberg through two main themes: the Ortenberg Panorama Trail, with its connections to viticulture and the castle, and its sacred and prehistoric heritage. You can focus your visit on a walking tour, or give greater emphasis to architectural history, pilgrimage and early cultural history.
The Panorama Trail: Viticulture and Other Features Along the Way
The Ortenberg Panorama Trail runs from the Griesacker memorial stone near the border with Fessenbach to Ortenberg Castle and can be walked in either direction. You can choose which of the two endpoints you want to start from. Information boards provide details about viticulture. A demonstration plot shows different vine-training methods; the trail also includes the Schloss Ortenberg winery’s varietal garden, with more than 30 grape varieties described. These features offer different points of focus: information about viticulture, examples of vine training and a described diversity of varieties. Anyone interested in viticulture can explore several aspects of the subject along the same trail.
Felix Burda Park is incorporated into the Panorama Trail. The well-developed network of Ortenberg forest paths is also connected to the trail. The park and path network complement the viticulture themes with additional options for choosing your route.
Ortenberg Castle: History and Seasonal Access
Gabriel Leonhard von Berckholtz had Ortenberg Castle built in its present form between 1838 and 1843. During the summer months, the Upper Castle Courtyard and the tower complex are open to everyone. Check the current regulations before visiting. Castle tours can be booked for groups of 20 or more through the youth hostel. If you are planning a tour for your group, confirm the current booking arrangements with the youth hostel in advance.
Chapel, Pilgrimage Church and Menhir
The present-day BĂĽhlweg Chapel was built in 1497 in the Late Gothic style and enhanced with Baroque elements in the 18th century. Rediscovered late medieval frescoes can be found inside. The Late Gothic building, later Baroque additions and frescoes bring together several historical layers. The Catholic parish offers tours of BĂĽhlweg Chapel; contact the parish directly for current tour arrangements.
BĂĽhlweg Church Maria Ruh is a pilgrimage church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Another piece of history reaches much further back: the menhir from the Late Neolithic period is known as the Gluggelistein or Bibelistein. It is clearly visible from the ridge path behind Ortenberg Castle.
Regional Context: Ortenau District
The Ortenau district lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. This wider travel destination 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 regional landscape perspective complements Ortenberg’s local themes: viticulture, castle and church history, and prehistoric heritage.
Discover more destinations: Kehl, Biberach, Seelbach, Mahlberg, MĂĽhlenbach, Fischerbach, Neuried, Kappel-Grafenhausen.
Go to the main travel overview: Ortenau district.
