Several local features come together in Ellenberg: an important work of art, visible markers of the European watershed and buildings with a history of their own. This offers different points of interest during a stay—from sacred art to understanding the local landscape.
Art and geography in Ellenberg
The parish church of “Our Lady of Sorrows” houses a wooden Late Gothic Pietà dating from around 1500. It is considered the church’s oldest and most important work of art. Its material, style and approximate date make it a distinctive cultural highlight in Ellenberg.
Another special feature is the European watershed. In Ellenberg, signs and stones mark the boundary between the catchment areas of the Danube and the Rhine. These markers make a landscape divide visible on site: they show which of the two river systems receives water from the respective catchment areas.
Local landmarks and practical orientation
The Ellenberg Stone was erected in 1925 by the Road and Water Construction Office as part of road construction. It is located at the entrance to the village when arriving from Wört or Dinkelsbühl. Its history links a visible local landmark with the development of road construction in Ellenberg.
Another striking structure is the water tower. It stands at the northern edge of the village on the local road “Gässle” and is around 29 metres high to the top of the roof. The stone and the tower thus have different points of reference: one is at the entrance to the village from the directions mentioned, while the other is at its northern edge.
There are several restaurants serving traditional German cuisine at the campsites in Ellenberg. If you would like to eat there, check the opening hours in advance so that your plans match the specific restaurant you intend to visit.
Regional highlights in the Ostalbkreis
Beyond Ellenberg, the Ostalbkreis offers other themes to consider when planning your trip. The “Green Trail – Excursion Tours in the Ostalbkreis” explores the district’s rural areas through a number of circular trail networks for cyclists, hikers and families. This is a regional overview of activities in the Ostalbkreis, not a description of a specific route in Ellenberg.
One focus for history-themed walks is near Rainau, along the Upper German-Raetian Limes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. In the municipality of Rainau, it runs for about six kilometres through the districts of Buch, Schwabsberg and Dalkingen. The signposted Limes circular trail leads from the Limes wall and tower between Buch and Schwabsberg through the “Mahdholz” forest and along the Limes to the southern edge of Schwabsberg. The route is about 11 kilometres long and takes approximately two and a half hours on foot. Check trail conditions on site.
Another regional highlight is the Tiefer Stollen visitor mine. During a visit, the mine train passes through mineral formations and small stalactites into sandstone chambers measuring 2,500 square metres and lying 100 metres underground. There, a multimedia presentation introduces visitors to the history of ore mining in the Aalen area. Alongside walking trails, the Ostalbkreis therefore offers an underground visitor experience connected with mining history.
Nature experiences are also among the region’s highlights: in the Wental, a nature trail offers insights into the natural environment of the ancient river valley. A hike through the Wental towards Steinheim is considered particularly suitable for families. From the trail, you can discover gnarled trees and bizarre rock formations in which, with a little imagination, you can make out fairy-tale characters and animals.
If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Ellenberg, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: art, geography and local history in Ellenberg, or other cultural, hiking and nature highlights in the Ostalbkreis.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Jagstzell, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Täferrot, Stödtlen, Hüttlingen, Oberkochen, Waldstetten, Adelmannsfelden.
Back to the main travel overview: Ostalbkreis.
