Discover Ohmden: Fossils, Circular Trail and Local History

Fossils and trails through the countryside offer two different ways to explore Ohmden. The marine shale contains fossils of reptiles, fish and numerous invertebrates from the Lias, dating back around 180 million years. The Ohmden Circular Trail has a different focus: it passes horse paddocks, sheep pastures, orchards, streams and waterways. This lets you shape your stay around either geological history or time outdoors.

Fossils in Ohmden and in the broader destination of Esslingen

At the Kromer shale quarry in Ohmden, visitors can search for fossils. Check the operator’s latest information before travelling. Searching at the site is distinct from viewing a collection: some of the finest fossils found in the Ohmden area are on display at the Urwelt-Museum Hauff in Holzmaden.

The museum is also part of the broader destination of Esslingen. It displays fossils from the Posidonia Shale and is located in the heart of the Holzmaden fossil site. Its exhibition space covers around 1,000 square metres; it is also one of Germany’s largest privately run natural history museums. Esslingen district is one of ten districts in the Swabian Alb Geopark. These regional connections add context to Ohmden’s own fossil history without treating the fossil site and the museum as one place.

Exploring the Ohmden Circular Trail

The Ohmden Circular Trail is about nine kilometres long and has three starting points marked with hiking symbols. Along the route are horse paddocks, sheep pastures, orchards, streams and waterways. There are also views of Ohmden, Teck Castle, Breitenstein and Limburg. These landscape features and viewpoints offer a variety of impressions along the trail, but do not indicate a particular walking time or difficulty level.

In the Trinkbach Valley, hiking trails offer opportunities to experience the local natural environment. This is another option for anyone wanting to spend time outdoors during their stay. Based on the information available, the route and the Trinkbach Valley can be considered as separate topics; no connection between them is described. As trail conditions can change, check the latest route information before setting out.

Local history and special features

The church in Ohmden was built in its present form between 1681 and 1683. Its tower acquired its present exterior in 1871. Four altar panels dating from around 1500 are attributed to the Kirchheim painter Thomas Schick. The dates point to different periods: the panels are considerably older than the church’s present form and the tower’s later exterior.

Local history also includes a former farmstead with decorative half-timbering dating from 1677. Another local speciality is Hafenknopf: this salty yeast pastry is traditionally baked in a copper mould unique to Ohmden. Alongside the fossils, architectural history and a distinctive baking tradition offer specific local themes that add to the character of the town.

Bus connection and travel planning

A municipal report from February 2025 states that the bus connection from Ohmden to Zell has been running since September 2020. Check the latest timetable when planning your journey. This lets you compare the connection with your travel plans without assuming a particular journey time or service frequency.

Discover more destinations: Denkendorf, Reichenbach An Der Fils, Deizisau, Holzmaden, Bempflingen, Wendlingen, Oberboihingen, Kirchheim Unter Teck.

Back to the broader travel guide: Esslingen.