Discover Dietenheim: Iller floodplains, the Holy Sepulchre and Christmas market
Accommodation in Dietenheim
Dietenheim offers many reasons to explore the town: circular hiking trails pass through the Iller floodplains and over the surrounding ridges, St. Martin’s Church is one of the sights, and the Christmas market brings a distinctive seasonal touch to the town centre every year. The Holy Sepulchre in St. Martinus Parish Church also links a special tradition with a specific art-historical story. When choosing a holiday apartment in Dietenheim, you can consider which of these themes you would like to focus on during your trip.
Hiking trails, ridges and bathing lake
Local Swabian Alb Association groups have created circular hiking trails around Dietenheim and Regglisweiler. The trails pass through the Iller floodplains and over the surrounding ridges. This means the local hiking options include both floodplain landscapes and higher-lying terrain. If you are planning a particular route, check the current trail layout, as routes may change.
The bathing lake is on the north-eastern edge of Dietenheim and is not signposted. Bear this in mind when finding your way; signage may change. The lake and hiking trails offer different starting points for planning your trip, so you do not have to limit your stay to just one way of exploring.
Church, civic guard and Holy Sepulchre
St. Martin’s Church is one of Dietenheim’s sights; its church tower is considered a local landmark. The Historic Dietenheim Civic Guard is also part of the town’s festive traditions. It has taken part in the Corpus Christi procession and other religious and secular celebrations for more than 300 years.
The Holy Sepulchre in Dietenheim’s St. Martinus Parish Church deserves a closer look. It is set up three weeks before Easter and was created in 1727 in the Baroque style by Franz Xaver Forchner, a painter who moved to Dietenheim from Tyrol. Visits and guided tours are possible outside service times. Check the arrangements for the relevant year with the parish.
Christmas market in the market square
The Dietenheim Christmas market takes place in the market square in the town centre. It has been held every year on the first Sunday of Advent since 1986. If you are planning a visit for a particular year, confirm the date with the town; programme details may also vary from year to year.
The market includes an exhibition in the town hall, a St Nicholas gift-giving event and a church concert in the afternoon. Stalls offer knitted and natural products, nativity figures, handicrafts and jewellery. There is also a wide selection of culinary delights; the offerings may vary from year to year. The combination of market activities, an exhibition and a concert gives the event several cultural and culinary dimensions.
More to explore in the Alb-Donau district
Those interested in the wider travel destination of the Alb-Donau district will find other distinct attractions beyond Dietenheim. Near Schelklingen lies Hohle Fels, a UNESCO World Heritage cave and the discovery site of the “Venus of Hohle Fels” and the “Geierknochen flute”; both finds are around 42,500 years old. The Alb-Donau district also has 20 circular “Ice Age Trails” for hiking, ranging from 6 to 14 kilometres and suitable for day hikes. The family-friendly “Ice Age Traces” are 1 to 6 kilometres long, while the Contemplation Trail is designed for multi-day hikes. These regional options complement the local trails in Dietenheim, but are not the same as them.
Discover more destinations: Ulm, Nellingen, Schelklingen, Emerkingen, Öpfingen, Setzingen, Blaubeuren, Merklingen.
View the wider travel overview: Alb-Donau district.
