Bötzingen: Circular Routes, Winegrowing and Culture

For a stay in Bötzingen, you can choose from a range of hiking trails, nature-themed activities and historic buildings. The routes vary in length and theme, focusing on winegrowing, water and experiencing nature.

Circular Routes and Nature Trails

A circular hiking trail and wine trail about 10 km long runs through the Bötzingen district. It was created through a joint initiative by the Bötzingen winegrowers’ association and the municipality. The family-friendly Bötzingen Fountain Trail is about 7 km long, follows a circular route and starts in the town centre at the railway station. It passes twelve running fountains and other sights.

Along the Fountain Trail, 17 information panels explain the importance of water for people and animals, fruit and winegrowing, businesses and the fire brigade. The 1.7 km-long, stroller-friendly Schambach Valley Adventure Trail offers a different focus. This circular route combines activities with information about experiencing nature in the Schambach Valley. Topics include natural history about bird and butterfly species of the Kaiserstuhl, wild bees and other animals. An observation hive shows how a bee colony lives and works; a dry-stone wall offers shelter to lizards and slowworms.

The Bötzingen Forest Adventure Trail can be reached from Bötzingen railway station via signposted paths. The route runs through Pilsenstraße and Waldstraße, past the “Tennishalle” playground and along the Murrgraben stream to Erlenschachen playground.

For longer tours, you can follow the regional route of the Steinkauz Trail: at 17.9 km, it passes through Wasenweiler, Bötzingen, Eichstetten, Bahlingen and Riegel. There is also a network of cycling paths around Bötzingen. You can cycle around the Kaiserstuhl on a route of about 64 km, away from road traffic.

Churches and Historic Buildings

The Protestant church in Bötzingen has been used for Protestant services since 1583 and dates back to a smaller Gothic building from the Reformation century. It is increasingly used for sacred concerts such as “Bach in der Regio” and choir concerts, which also attract visitors from the surrounding area.

The Catholic parish church of St. Laurentius is considered probably Bötzingen’s oldest building. Its imposing bell tower was built as a defensive tower, while the choir windows and rib vault point to the Late Gothic period. The Madonna in the Baroque high altar is attributed to Hans Wyditz.

The Late Gothic St. Alban’s Chapel stands in Oberschaffhausen near Bötzingen and is known locally as the Peschdkirchle. Built around 1480 as a former church of the Teutonic Order, it has striking wall paintings from the 15th century. The manor house by the former mill is also associated with Bötzingen’s history: built in 1578 and 1771, it was the residence of the historically significant privy councillor Enderlin.

Winegrowing and Seasonal Activities

Bötzingen is one of Baden’s oldest winegrowing communities. The wine trail explores this theme and combines it with a circular hike through the district. If you are looking for outdoor activities, you can also choose the trails through the Schambach Valley or the Forest Adventure Trail.

The renovated outdoor swimming pool is a family-oriented leisure facility with a wide range of activities. It is open seasonally, from mid-May to mid-September. Check the current opening days before your trip.

Regional Context

In the wider Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald destination, many places in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district are accessible by train. With the free KONUS guest card, you can use local trains and buses throughout the Black Forest free of charge.

Discover more destinations: Sölden, Heuweiler, Münstertal/Schwarzwald, Oberrimsingen, Eisenbach, Sulzburg, Staufen im Breisgau, Gottenheim.

Return to the main travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.