Neukirch: Landscape, Pilgrimage Trail and Wildlife Park

In Neukirch, gentle hills, meadows, forests and numerous ponds shape the landscape. In stark contrast is the Argen, with its wild, deeply cut course. North of the Argen, the wooded and cultivated landscape is ideal for extended hikes and nature exploration; particularly appealing are routes through the many small hamlets and along the Argen.

Viewpoints and Church History

From the Mariengrotto on Marienberg in Neukirch, the view extends across the town centre to the Allgäu Alps; benches are available for resting. According to the church, the Mariengrotto was built by the Huchler family in 1909. A religious procession takes place at the grotto every year.

Churches, Frescoes and Pilgrimage Trail

St. Ulrich Chapel in Elmenau contains rare frescoes from the 12th and 13th centuries. The new parish church of St. Mary, Queen of the Rosary, in Neukirch was consecrated on October 26, 1980, by diocesan bishop Dr. Georg Moser. The medieval frescoes and the specific consecration date of the new parish church thus represent distinct historical points of reference.

The Neukirch Pilgrimage Trail is around 4.7 kilometres long and has a total of ten stations in Neukirch and the surrounding hamlets. At five of the stations, large natural stones bear plaques displaying the pastoral unit’s logo and a saying or verse.

The 14 Stations of the Cross are located in the old choir of St. Silvester Parish Church in Neukirch. They were made in 1914 by the Güntert and Nägele art workshop in Sigmaringendorf. Their number and location distinguish these Stations of the Cross from the Pilgrimage Trail, which has ten stations in Neukirch and the surrounding hamlets.

Sonnenhalde Wildlife Park: Wildlife and Trails

Sonnenhalde Wildlife Park is located in the Wildpoltsweiler district of Neukirch. A 2.5-kilometre circular trail offers glimpses of local wildlife; fallow deer, red deer, mouflons and wild boar live there. The wildlife park also has an adventure playground, and pony rides are available. If you plan to enjoy these two activities, check the playground’s current operating status and the availability of pony rides before your trip.

The trail lengths offer a concrete comparison: the circular trail in the wildlife park is 2.5 kilometres long, while the Pilgrimage Trail is around 4.7 kilometres long. They also have different focuses: the wildlife park is about local animals, while natural stones and plaques mark religious stations along the Pilgrimage Trail.

The Wider Setting: Lake Constance District

The Lake Constance District stretches along almost the entire northern shore of Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg, reaching into the Upper Swabian Hills and, to the east, the West Allgäu Hills. Its landscape is shaped by Lake Constance and the surrounding hills, with orchards, vineyards, meadows and forests. The district has 57.7 kilometres of Lake Constance shoreline.

Discover more destinations: Kressbronn on Lake Constance, Roggenbeuren, Baitenhausen, Sipplingen, Tettnang, Überlingen, Deggenhausertal, Friedrichshafen

Back to the main travel overview: Lake Constance.