Owingen: Nature Trails and Village History

Lookout Tower and Aachtobel

The Hohenbodman lookout tower is 37 metres high. Its walls are about three metres thick, and an ascent of 141 steps leads to the top inside. The tower was built in the 11th century as the keep of the castle belonging to the Lords of Bodman. It is easily reached on foot from Hohenbodman; parking and a toilet are available. As such facilities may change, it is best to check the situation on site.

The Aachtobel nature reserve lies below the Owingen district of Hohenbodman. The gorge, with its wild-romantic, idyllic character, is crossed by a rustic, refreshing stream that winds through soft molasse sandstone. The Jubilee Trail runs through Aachtobel as part of a long-distance hiking route of about 110 kilometres from Kressbronn to Überlingen. This makes the gorge a specific nature destination, while the long-distance trail offers a wider route to explore.

Nature Trails and History in Owingen

In Billafingen, the village history trail leads to more than 30 interesting and historic sites. These include Billafingen Castle, the stately Bannmühle mill, the Akziserhaus and the Obere Schmiede forge. Together, the examples connect different chapters of village life along one circuit: visitors interested in historic buildings will find more than just a single place to stop.

The Billafingen nature trail also focuses on discoveries along the way. Signs explain trees, shrubs and other plants; others provide information about various nesting boxes and their inhabitants. Every year on the first Sunday in May, a public guided tour with experts takes place there. Check the date for your chosen year before planning your visit around it.

The Lourdes Grotto in Owingen is part of the quieter side of local history—a place for reflection and peace, cared for by residents. In the municipality of Owingen, St. Nicholas Chapel is known as the “little sister of Birnau.” The parish church of St. Peter and Paul is also in the municipality: it is a late Gothic, single-nave hall church dating from the 15th century. Together, these places reflect different religious and architectural connections, without needing to form a single walking route.

Getting There and Choosing a Focus for Your Holiday

The nearest train station is in Überlingen, six kilometres from Owingen. Owingen is also served every half hour by RegioBus 500. Check current connections and service frequency before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, these details may be relevant alongside your interests: are you planning to spend most of your time on nature and village trails in Owingen, or would you like to include other destinations in the Lake Constance district?

Owingen in the Wider Travel Destination of the Lake Constance District

The Lake Constance district stretches along almost the entire northern shore of Lake Constance in Baden-Württemberg. It extends into the Upper Swabian Hills and, to the east, into the West Allgäu Hills; its landscape includes the lake and neighbouring hills, fruit orchards, vineyards, meadows and forests. The Lake Constance district has 57.7 kilometres of Lake Constance shoreline. These details describe the wider district and provide broader regional context alongside Owingen’s specific trails and sites.

The themes of regional destinations also vary: the pile dwellings at Unteruhldingen are in the Lake Constance district; the visitor route includes the ARCHAEORAMA multimedia show, with a virtual dive to the pile dwellings in Lake Constance. If you would like to include archaeological interpretation in your trip planning alongside the gorge, nature trail and village history, you can weigh up these different focuses separately.

Discover more travel destinations: Frickingen, Langenargen, Billafingen, Uhldingen-Mühlhofen, Salem, Hagnau Am Bodensee, Deggenhausertal, Beuren.

Go to the wider travel overview: Lake Constance.