Villingen-Schwenningen between moorland and urban history

When looking for a hotel in Villingen-Schwenningen, you can plan your trip around the topics that interest you: Schwenninger Moos is known for its moorland and nature conservation, while the Franciscan Museum and the Minster offer insights into Villingen’s cultural history. The Neckar Valley Cycle Route adds another option for cycling enthusiasts.

Getting to Villingen and Schwenningen

Villingen and Schwenningen are accessible by InterCity and regional trains. Check the current timetable before travelling, as routes and services may change.

Moorland and nature conservation at Schwenninger Moos

Schwenninger Moos and the neighbouring Kugelmoos are almost entirely part of the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. They belong to the Baar Special Area of Conservation (SAC), site 8016-341, which covers around 2,300 hectares and includes nine reported habitat types, including bog woodland and calcareous fens.

A 3.5-kilometre circular trail runs through Schwenninger Moos Nature Reserve. Information boards along the history and nature trail explain peat extraction and the moorland habitat. Themed guided tours can be booked through the environmental centre; check current availability before your trip.

The Neckar and the Neckar Valley Cycle Route

The Neckar rises in Möglingshöhe City Park in Villingen-Schwenningen. The Neckar Valley Cycle Route follows the river and is suitable for the whole family. From there, the Neckar flows for 362 kilometres to Mannheim; this figure refers to the river’s course, not the length of a single cycling tour.

Villingen’s cultural history

The Franciscan Museum in central Villingen has 2,500 square metres of exhibition space. It is the largest cultural history museum in the region, and its collection spans from prehistory to the present day. The permanent exhibition is divided into the following sections: the history of the town from its beginnings to the present day, the Black Forest collection, and the Celtic princely tomb of Magdalenenberg. Admission to the permanent exhibition is free. Check the latest information before your visit.

The Minster of Our Lady in Villingen’s historic town centre was built in the Romanesque style in the 12th and 13th centuries, rebuilt several times and completed in the Gothic style in 1284. On the “Gates and Towers” guided tour in the Villingen district, participants gain access to historic towers and walls that were previously closed and inaccessible to the public. Check dates and ticket availability before your trip.

More places to explore in the Schwarzwald-Baar district

In the Schwarzwald-Baar district, a 2.5-kilometre circular trail near Bräunlingen-Unterbränd goes around the oval Kirnbergsee and crosses the dam. The lake is part of a Special Area of Conservation; rare plants grow close to the shore. The Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet carnival in the Schwarzwald-Baar district also offers a distinctive cultural experience: in December 2014, it was added to Germany’s nationwide UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Register. Carnival in the Schwarzwald-Baar district lasts six days, from Schmotziger Dunnschtig (Fat Thursday) to Ash Wednesday.

Discover more destinations: Pfaffenweiler, Triberg in the Black Forest, Königsfeld in the Black Forest, Bad Dürrheim, Schönwald in the Black Forest, Tuningen, Dauchingen, Brigachtal

Back to the main travel overview: Schwarzwald-Baar district.