Ortenaukreis: Nature, Culture and Water Experiences

Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. Its 23 nature reserves stretch from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest and cover a total of around 3,110 hectares. Leisure and cultural destinations offer further reasons to get to know the region from different perspectives. You can plan your trip around specific interests: a protected landscape, a water experience or a cultural attraction. The places mentioned show how varied these themes are in Ortenaukreis.

Landscape and Protected Areas

The Taubergießen Nature Reserve covers 1,695 hectares and is one of the largest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg. It provides a specific name alongside the district-wide overview: the 23 nature reserves in Ortenaukreis cover a total of around 3,110 hectares. The two figures answer different questions. Taubergießen refers to a single protected area; the district figure describes the total area of protected sites. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between a named nature destination and the broader landscape theme. The nature reserves stretch from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest.

Water Experiences in Rust

Rust is home to various leisure destinations: Europa-Park is located in the municipality, and Rulantica offers water fun for the whole family all year round. Rulantica features numerous indoor and outdoor water attractions, as well as the Hyggedal relaxation and sauna area. This gives you two distinct reasons to visit: Europa-Park, and the year-round water experience with its range of attractions and dedicated relaxation area. If water experiences are to be a highlight of your stay, Rulantica’s year-round offering is a helpful point of reference.

Museums and Black Forest History

The MiMa in Oberwolfach presents unique minerals from the Black Forest, collected by the Friends of Minerals and Mining Oberwolfach Association (Verein der Freunde von Mineralien und Bergbau Oberwolfach e. V.). The visit is therefore about both the minerals themselves and the association’s collecting work. This gives you a specific starting point if you are interested in minerals and their origins in the Black Forest.

A different perspective is offered by a tour of the historic farmhouses at the Vogtsbauernhof Open-Air Museum. It shows how people in the Black Forest lived and worked up to 600 years ago. Unlike the MiMa’s presentation of minerals, the focus here is on historical everyday and working life. You can choose between a museum topic centered on natural history and a look back at life in the Black Forest in earlier times.

A Guided Walk in Gengenbach

The Gengenbach night watchman’s tour includes 12 stops and the traditional night watchman’s song. The public tours are free of charge, and no registration is required. It is worth checking the latest dates before your visit. The stops and the song provide specific cultural points of interest and make the tour a distinct alternative to visiting the museums.

A simple question can help with your trip planning: should nature, water-based leisure or a cultural topic be the deciding factor? The nature reserves and Taubergießen offer a connection to the landscape, Rust is known for water experiences, and in Oberwolfach, Gutach and Gengenbach you can explore the museum and guided-tour topics described above.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Ottenhöfen Im Schwarzwald, Sasbach, Schwanau, Kippenheim, Sasbachwalden, Ringsheim, Mahlberg, Rheinau, Ettenheim, Durbach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Achern, Appenweier, Berghaupten, Biberach, Gengenbach, Kappelrodeck, Meißenheim, Mühlenbach, Nordrach, Oberkirch, Oberwolfach, Offenburg, Ohlsbach, Oppenau, Seelbach, Wolfach, Rust, Zell Am Harmersbach, Steinach, Seebach, Oberharmersbach, Hornberg, Ichenheim, Kehl, Lahr/Schwarzwald, Neuried, Lauf, Haslach Im Kinzigtal, Ortenberg, Willstätt, Fischerbach, Renchen, Hofstetten, Schuttertal, Hausach, Friesenheim, Kappel-Grafenhausen, Lautenbach, Schutterwald, Gutach, Hohberg.

For the overarching travel overview: Baden-Württemberg.