Discover Oberkochen

Explore Oberkochen during a stay through two themes: optical technology and the landscape around Volkmarsberg. At the ZEISS Museum of Optics, the focus is on the history of developments and hands-on exhibits; outside, hiking trails lead through forests, valleys and heathland. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on the museum, the views or a particular route.

ZEISS Museum of Optics: technology to see and try out

Across ten thematic areas, the ZEISS Museum of Optics explores the history of developments in key ZEISS product and technology fields. Topics range from planetariums to optical lithography. You can try out many of the exhibits yourself, including microscopes and binoculars. There is also a mini planetarium with an exceptionally realistic starry sky.

The exhibition spans everything from modern medical technology devices to a photo of Neil Armstrong, taken during the first moon landing with a ZEISS lens, and one of Napoleon’s telescopes. The exhibition at the Heimatmuseum in the Schillerhaus is complemented by large-format photographs, clear models and a modern presentation.

Volkmarsberg and hiking trails

At 743 metres, Volkmarsberg is Oberkochen’s local mountain. The Swabian Alb Association’s observation tower stands there amid heathland. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the Alps. A circular hiking trail also leads to Volkmarsberg: Route 3 follows a section along the edge of the nature reserve to the mountain.

The circular hiking trails vary in length and route. Route 1 is 3.4 kilometres long and follows the paved Bergstraße to the TSV Oberkochen’s Liftstüble. The trail then turns onto a forest path towards the nature reserve. Circular hiking trail 2 is seven kilometres long. Route 3 is 9.5 kilometres long: it follows the edge of the forest towards the source of the Kocher, passes Hubertusquelle and the archaeological monument “Bilzhaus” in Tiefes Tal, and then continues along the edge of the nature reserve to Volkmarsberg. There is a barbecue area by the Bilzhütte where you can take a break.

Another described route is the 9.2-kilometre Hans-Zöllner-Weg. It starts at the car park by the source of the Kocher and leads to the source of the Schwarzer Kocher, then climbs alongside the forest. The steep trail crosses Borzelhalde and Fuchskohlplatte to Brunnenebene, with views into the valley.

The two longer routes are similar in length, at 9.5 and 9.2 kilometres, but have different highlights: Route 3 connects Hubertusquelle, Bilzhaus and Volkmarsberg; the Hans-Zöllner-Weg crosses Borzelhalde and Fuchskohlplatte to Brunnenebene. So when choosing, you can consider not only the distance but also the route described. Routes 1 and 2 offer further distances to compare, at 3.4 and seven kilometres respectively.

In the wider region, the signposted Karstquellenweg runs between Oberkochen and Königsbronn. It connects communities on either side of the European watershed. Unlike the circular routes described here, it is designated as a route connecting two towns.

Discover more destinations: Gschwend, Heuchlingen, Hüttlingen, Göggingen, Ellwangen, Stödtlen, Ruppertshofen, Rainau

Back to the regional travel overview: Ostalbkreis.