Ortenaukreis is a district in Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany, spanning from the Rhine Valley to the Black Forest. It is characterized by diverse landscapes, wine production, and traditional Black Forest culture.
Browse Ortenaukreis campsites Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau Photo by Felix on UnsplashThe region's history is shaped by its position between the Rhine and the Black Forest, with settlements dating back to Roman times. During the Middle Ages, various principalities and territories controlled the area, including the bishopric of Strasbourg. The district was formally established in its current form in 1973 through administrative reforms.
One of Germany's great railway engineering achievements, starting in Offenburg and climbing through the Black Forest via Triberg with dozens of tunnels and a spiral loop to gain height. Spectacular valley and forest views make it worth riding even without a specific destination.
The main north-south line along the Rhine valley, passing through Offenburg and Lahr. Fast and frequent, with open views across the Rhine plain to the Vosges mountains in France.
A regional line following the Kinzig river valley through Gengenbach and Haslach, useful for reaching hiking trailheads without a car and a pleasant ride through half-timbered small towns.
Germany's oldest long-distance hiking trail crosses the higher Black Forest ridges around Zell am Harmersbach and Oppenau, with classic black-and-white diamond waymarking and long forest ridge views.
A well-known short walk near Oppenau past a series of cascades to the ruins of a medieval abbey, popular but genuinely scenic, especially after rain.
A short, flat walk around a small glacial lake high on the Schwarzwaldhochstraße near Seebach, wrapped in local legend about water spirits; busy in summer but easy to combine with longer ridge hikes.
Follows the Kinzig valley from the Freudenstadt area down through Hausach, Haslach and Gengenbach to Offenburg, largely on dedicated paths through orchard and forest scenery.
A flat riverside route along the Rhine passing Kehl, useful for easy family riding and for crossing into Strasbourg on the pedestrian/cycle bridge.
Runs through the hillier parts of Ortenaukreis on its way through the Black Forest, offering a tougher alternative to the valley routes with more climbing and forest scenery.
A compact medieval old town with well-preserved timber-frame houses and a town hall famous each December for becoming the 'world's largest Advent calendar' with illuminated window displays.
A small historic town in a side valley of the Kinzig, known for its old town walls, tower, and strong Alemannic carnival (Fastnacht) traditions.
A small Rhine-plain village that happens to host Europa-Park, one of Europe's largest and most visited theme parks.
A wine village on the edge of the Black Forest, terraced with vineyards below Schloss Staufenberg, at the heart of the Ortenau wine-growing area.
A spa and orchard town in the Renchtal valley, gateway to Black Forest hiking country and known for its fruit brandies (Obstler).
Germany's largest theme park, located in Rust, with rollercoasters and themed 'European' zones — worth a full day if traveling with family.
In Gutach im Kinzigtal, a collection of original relocated Black Forest farmhouses showing traditional rural life, crafts and the famous Bollenhut headwear.
The high mountain road running along the Black Forest ridge past Mummelsee and viewpoints over the Rhine valley towards the Vosges.
Small family wineries growing Klingelberger (Riesling) and Spätburgunder on steep terraced slopes, many offering direct tastings.
A short but scenic combination of cascading water and medieval monastery ruins near Oppenau.
Ortenaukreis sits where Black Forest and Baden-Alsatian cooking meet, so expect hearty regional dishes alongside French-influenced touches. Zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) served with young Federweisser or Neuer Wein is a seasonal autumn staple, and Flammkuchen (thin, Alsace-style flatbread with cream, onion and bacon) appears on most local menus thanks to the nearby French border at Kehl/Strasbourg. The county is also part of the Baden wine region, with the Ortenau sub-region around Durbach particularly known for Klingelberger (Riesling) and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). Black Forest specialities are strong here too: Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cherry cake), smoked Schwarzwälder Schinken (ham), Spätzle, and fruit schnapps such as Kirschwasser and Obstler distilled from local orchards.
A large nature park covering much of the wooded, hilly part of Ortenaukreis, protecting forest, valley and ridge landscapes including the area around the Schwarzwaldhochstraße and Allerheiligen.
Each December, 24 windows of Gengenbach's historic town hall are turned into giant Advent calendar doors, opened one by one with festive events in the old town.
Alemannic carnival celebrations in Zell am Harmersbach in February/March, with traditional 'Narren' costumes, masks and processions typical of Black Forest Fastnacht.
A summer wine festival in Offenburg's old town celebrating regional Baden and Ortenau wines with food stalls and live music.
