A vineyard area with a medieval wine-growing history and a viewing platform overlooking the Kraichgau landscape are defining features of the “Hilsbacher Eichelberg” adventure trail. Hilsbach itself also has a historic townscape that extends across the Upper Town and Lower Town.
Adventure trail between vineyards and viewpoints
The “Hilsbacher Eichelberg” adventure trail begins in Hilsbach at the Sportzentrum/Waldsee car park on Breite Straße. The route is about five kilometres long and has 20 stops with interesting information about Eichelberg and its surroundings. It follows developed forest and field paths with no significant climbs.
The trail passes through a vineyard area where wine has been grown since the Middle Ages. From the viewing platform, you can see the surrounding Kraichgau landscape. Steinsberg Castle rises to the east; in good weather, the view stretches across vineyards to Heilbronn and the Palatinate Forest on the horizon. The panoramic landscape is therefore complemented by long-distance views that depend on the weather.
Townscape and church history
Hilsbach is densely built up, and its historic townscape extends across the Upper Town and Lower Town. The Counts of Oettingen moved the settlement centre to the hill. A new church was built there between 1250 and 1300 and was later dedicated to Saint Michael.
Until the new Catholic church in Hilsbach was built in 1950/51, St Michael’s Church was shared by the Protestant and Catholic congregations. Hilsbach’s history thus brings together different milestones: the relocation of the settlement centre and the construction of the church on the hill, followed later by the joint use of St Michael’s Church.
There are two distinct ways to choose a focus: the adventure trail leads through the landscape and wine-growing history, while the Upper Town, Lower Town and St Michael’s Church turn the focus to local and church history.
More to explore in the wider Sinsheim destination
The wider Sinsheim destination offers more to explore. The Technik Museum Sinsheim features a Tupolev, a Concorde and more than 3,000 other exhibits. The KLIMA ARENA has a glacier cinema. The Bistro Tjorven at the KLIMA ARENA serves exclusively plant-based dishes made with ingredients from the region; check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The town museum in Sinsheim invites you to explore the history of the town and region. At the Lichdi Laden, you can experience shopping as it was in the past. Steinsberg Castle, which stands on a basalt cone between Sinsheim and Weiler, offers views of the surrounding countryside from its keep. You can explore the castle on a public or individually booked guided tour; check the dates in advance.
Stift Sunnisheim offers an approximately one-hour guided tour covering the eventful history of the former monastery complex and the former collegiate and monastery church. Check the dates before your trip. For a specific connection within the wider Sinsheim destination, bus route 771 runs directly from Sinsheim Central Station to the Thermen & Badewelt Sinsheim. Check the operator’s information before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Hirschberg An Der BergstraĂźe, Reichartshausen, Reilingen, Leimen, Weinheim, Gaiberg, Ketsch, Hemsbach.
Back to the regional travel overview: Rhein-Neckar-Kreis.
