Discover Steinheim an der Murr

Steinheim an der Murr lies at the confluence of the Bottwar and Murr rivers. As a travel destination, the town brings together prehistoric history, local history and a landscape of vineyards, fields and woodland. When planning your stay, consider whether you want to focus primarily on the museum, historic sights or outdoor activities.

Early Man Museum and the Ice Age

The Early Man Museum is a branch of the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart and has been housed in the Hans Trautwein House since 1968. On two floors and across 340 square metres, it presents the Steinheim early human, local geology and Ice Age wildlife. A skull fragment of Homo steinheimensis was recovered in Steinheim in 1933; it is attributed to a woman who died at around 25 years of age, roughly 400,000 years ago. The exhibition thus brings together a specific find from Steinheim and a broader natural history perspective. Audio tours guide visitors through the exhibition: there are full and short versions, as well as English-language and child-friendly options. As availability may change, check which options are currently available before your visit.

Local history and viewpoints

The historic town walk introduces the town hall, with its stone base dating from 1580. The half-timbered section was rebuilt after a fire in 1686. The walk also includes a fortified church with a walled cemetery. The viewpoints offer a different perspective: Benning Viewpoint has a terrace; in good weather, the view extends across the Bottwar Valley to the Zabergäu and Stromberg regions. On Castle Hill, you can find the remains of a medieval castle, a fire pit and seating. The viewpoint is reached by climbing around 300 steps.

Wine country and hiking trails

Steep vineyards, fertile fields and meadows, and extensive woodland shape the landscape. Steinberg is a terraced hillside site within the Lower Murr Valley Landscape Conservation Area. There, old dry-stone walls made of shell limestone are maintained, helping to preserve the habitat of wall lizards. Steinheim's vineyard sites are among the best in Württemberg.

The hiking trails also vary in length and focus. The Steinheim Trail is a circular route of around 22 kilometres connecting Steinheim, Kleinbottwar and Höpfigheim; there are six hiking car parks along the route. The approximately 1.5-kilometre Hardy Trail runs through Hardtwald forest between Kleinbottwar and Großbottwar. This family-friendly forest trail has 16 learning stations, is suitable for pushchairs and leads to a shelter with barbecue facilities. It offers a contrast between a longer circular hike and a short forest trail with learning stations.

More activities

The asphalt pump track is located behind Wellarium car park P3, towards the vineyards. It can be used by beginners and experienced riders alike, with skateboards, mini scooters and inline skates. As the condition of the facility may change, check it before use. The WeinKulTourer connects the Bottwar Valley and the Neckar Valley and passes through Steinheim. Seasonal operation and service status may change; include the route in your plans and check the latest information.

In the wider Ludwigsburg destination

In the wider Ludwigsburg destination, terraced steep vineyards along the Neckar and Enz rivers are a defining feature of the district's landscape. The Celtic Trail runs for around 35 kilometres through the district and connects nine significant Celtic-era finds. The Hochdorf/Enz Celtic Museum displays a lavish burial chamber of a Celtic prince, reconstructed true to the original, and offers insights into the everyday life and crafts of early Celtic people.

Discover more destinations: Hessigheim, Remseck am Neckar, Bönnigheim, Asperg, Besigheim, Walheim, Mundelsheim, Ingersheim

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Ludwigsburg.