Enzkreis

Landscapes between the Kraichgau and the Northern Black Forest

In the northwest, Enzkreis is part of the Kraichgau. Fields, meadows and vineyards shape the landscape there. In the Stromberg, wooded hills meet gentle valleys and sunny vineyard slopes. The Heckengäu has a different character: juniper heaths, blackthorn and hedges of hawthorn run through its sparse landscape. In the southwest, the Northern Black Forest opens up, with dense fir forests, forest meadows, broad plateaus and narrow valleys. When choosing a holiday apartment, this regional variety may help you decide: would you prefer to explore vineyard landscapes and open countryside, or forests and hill ranges during your trip?

Two nature parks are located in Enzkreis: the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park and the Stromberg-Heuchelberg Nature Park. Both are intended to be developed and maintained as exemplary recreational landscapes. The aim is to make recreational interests compatible with the protection of nature and the landscape. The nature park areas complement the district’s varied landscapes with a clear connection between recreation and nature conservation.

Combine hiking and culture

There are different kinds of hiking routes to choose from. A signposted panoramic circular trail in Freudenstein-Hohenklingen crosses the hills and passes through vineyards and forests around the village. Enzkreis also offers six hiking routes of varying difficulty, ranging from 10 to 22 kilometres. They run around Knittlingen, Sternenfels, Maulbronn, Ölbronn-Dürrn, Ötisheim, Mühlacker, Kieselbronn, Niefern, Neulingen, Königsbach-Stein and Eisingen. The stated distances and difficulty levels give you concrete guidance when choosing a route to suit your hiking preferences.

Historical themes also feature along the trails: the Eppinger Lines Trail is an artistic and historical hiking route with installations between Eppingen and Mühlacker. A section of the European Huguenot and Waldensian Trail, recognised by the Council of Europe as a cultural route, also passes through Enzkreis. In Neuenbürg, the “Frischglück” mine is one of the Northern Black Forest’s old iron-ore mines. Neuenbürg Castle houses a branch museum of the Baden State Museum; its tour begins in the north wing with a walk-through theatrical staging of Wilhelm Hauff’s fairy tale “The Cold Heart.” This lets you combine nature trails with artistic, historical or museum themes during your trip.

Water and cycling routes

At the Tiefer See natural swimming lake in Maulbronn, pedal boats and rowing boats invite you to take a trip out on the water. Changing rooms, showers and toilets are also available. You can now go canoeing on the Enz, which flows through Enzkreis from east to west. These water-based activities offer a different focus from hiking through forests, vineyards and open countryside.

Several longer cycling routes also pass through towns in Enzkreis. The 160-kilometre Stromberg-Murr Valley Cycle Route passes through Maulbronn on the Karlsruhe–Maulbronn–Marbach–Gaildorf route. Mühlacker is on the 105-kilometre Enz Valley Cycle Route, which runs from Enzklösterle via Pforzheim and Mühlacker to Vaihingen and Walheim. The Württemberg Wine Cycle Route is 354 kilometres long and passes through, among other places, Rottenburg, Esslingen, Mühlacker, Maulbronn, Besigheim and Niederstetten. The 260-kilometre Black Forest Central/North Nature Park Cycle Route runs via Freudenstadt, the Kinzig Valley, Ortenau, Ettlingen, Straubenhardt and Neuenbürg before returning to Freudenstadt. Their lengths and routes help you decide whether to make cycling part of a longer journey or enjoy regional excursions during your stay.

Another long-distance route is the 844-kilometre German Timber-Frame Road. It runs via Mosbach, Mühlacker, Pforzheim, Calw and Haslach in the Kinzig Valley. The experiences you are looking for can help you choose a suitable base for your accommodation—for example, hiking trails, museum visits, a trip on the water or cycling routes that pass through the district.

Places in Enzkreis

For further orientation, here are the places in the region: Illingen, Friolzheim, Tiefenbronn, Singen, Pforzheim, Mühlacker, Maulbronn, Niefern-Öschelbronn, Straubenhardt, Neuenbürg, Engelsbrand, Königsbach-Stein, Birkenfeld, Wiernsheim, Ötisheim, Knittlingen, Sternenfels, Ölbronn-Dürrn, Kieselbronn, Wimsheim, Wurmberg, Mönsheim, Neuhausen, Kämpfelbach and Heimsheim.

For the broader travel overview: Baden-Württemberg.