Discover Pfaffenhofen: Fossils, architectural heritage and hiking trails

Pfaffenhofen combines historic buildings in town with fossil history and trails in the nearby area. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip focused on culture or nature, you can consider visits to the town and nearby trails as distinct highlights: the church and rectory are part of the townscape, while the White Quarry is in the surrounding area.

Fossil history at the White Quarry

At the White Quarry, an educational trail with illustrated information panels provides insights into the Keuper period, more than 200 million years ago. Prehistoric creatures covered there include labyrinthodonts, crocodile-like reptiles, armadillo-like armored reptiles and dinosaurs. The fossil history is brought to life by specific finds: the first Pfaffenhofen fossil found at the White Quarry was a fragment of an aetosaur torso, discovered in 1906. Albert Burrer (1866–1939), the quarry’s leaseholder, handed it over to Prof. Eberhard Fraas of the Royal Natural History Collection in Stuttgart. Among the quarry’s most spectacular fossils are skeletal remains of Sellosaurus, described as the oldest dinosaur in Europe.

Trails and directions

The White Quarry is accessible only on foot. From the White Quarry hiking car park, the Rennweg leads about 300 metres west to a narrow, signposted footpath; this leads to the quarry and the viewing platform. Check local trail conditions before your visit, as route information may change. Above Pfaffenhofen, in the Stromberg area, there is also a 9 km circular trail that connects seven fountains. The approximately 300 metres refers to the section along the Rennweg to the footpath, while 9 km is the length of the circular trail.

Architectural heritage in Pfaffenhofen

The Protestant church in Pfaffenhofen and the rectory next to it are buildings designed by the architect Heinrich Schickhardt. At St. Lambert’s Church, the Gothic choir and the equally Gothic sacristy are the oldest parts. The European Heinrich Schickhardt Cultural Route also begins in Pfaffenhofen.

More to explore in the wider Heilbronn destination

The wider Heilbronn destination includes Stromberg-Heuchelberg Nature Park, which encompasses 25 municipalities in four districts, including Heilbronn district. Heilbronn district has around 1,000 km of signposted day-loop routes in Kraichgau, Zabergäu, Weinsberger Tal and Schozach-Bottwartal. The Neckar Valley Cycle Route is also among the cycling routes highlighted in the district.

Breitenauer See is the largest of the seven bathing lakes named in Heilbronn district and is considered the largest bathing lake in northern Württemberg. For families, a guided tour of the permanent exhibition at the Güglingen Roman Museum is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month in 2026. Check the specific date before travelling. Performances at the Burg Stettenfels castle festival are always held outdoors; check the event dates separately. Sprungarena Brackenheim is a 1,500 m² trampoline park with a variety of attractions and is suitable for children aged three and up. Rules and offerings may change.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Untergruppenbach, Löwenstein, Beilstein, Zaberfeld, Heilbronn, Lauffen am Neckar, Eppingen, Untereisesheim.

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