Urberg: Mining History, Church Art and Views of the Alb Valley

In Urberg, church art and mining history sit alongside viewpoints and trails as distinct travel highlights. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing local attractions from longer routes and seasonal activities in the wider destination of Dachsberg (Southern Black Forest).

Church Art and Minerals in Urberg

The parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Inner-Urberg dates from 1816. The parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Urberg houses a remarkable altar from the mid-17th century. It is said to have come from the new minster in St. Blasien, which burned down in 1768. The church’s date and the altar thus point to different historical periods; the altar’s origin remains identified as a traditional attribution.

The Gottesehre Mineral Museum displays an extensive collection of minerals. It was established in 2001 in the basement of the former schoolhouse. Several display cases showcase magnificent minerals from the Gottesehre mine; a film and other media provide information about the disused mine. The museum therefore focuses both on the minerals themselves and on the history of the mine.

Mining and Historic Crafts

The Zeidler Trail near the “Goldenhof” in Dachsberg-Urberg uses information panels to explain how honey was once collected and bees kept. It offers historical insights into traditional forest beekeeping and its ecological significance. Its focus is on the former practices of honey production and beekeeping, not on work today.

In the wider destination of Dachsberg (Southern Black Forest), the mining trail is about seven kilometres long. It can be started at the Mineral Museum in Urberg or at the town hall in Wittenschwand and connects former mining sites. The mining trail near Rüttewies is incorporated into the hiking route. The route thus links several places associated with mining history; its approximate length and the two specified starting points provide a concrete basis for planning.

Bildsteinfelsen and the Albsteig

The Bildsteinfelsen viewpoint below the Goldenhof offers sweeping views of the Alb Valley. The long-distance Albsteig Schwarzwald trail also passes the Bildsteinfelsen on its 83-kilometre route. Below the rock lies the former Gottesehre fluorspar and heavy spar mine. The disused mine now provides refuge for many bats.

In the wider destination of Dachsberg (Southern Black Forest), the Albsteig Schwarzwald has been a premium hiking trail since 2017. The route runs from the Alb’s confluence near Albbruck to its sources on the Feldberg, climbing up to Dachsberg along the way and offering views from there. Together with the route past the Bildsteinfelsen, this description covers both a specific viewpoint and the longer distance of the long-distance trail.

Walking Options in the Wider Region

Dachsberg and Ibach have an extensive network of trails for hiking, Nordic walking, cycling and winter excursions. It is available to residents, day visitors and tourists alike; conditions on individual trails may vary seasonally. Dachsberg and Ibach are members of the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve, established in 2016.

The Urberg community centre is a starting point for winter excursions. In the wider destination of Dachsberg and Ibach, you can explore plateaus and forests on groomed winter hiking trails. These trails are seasonal and depend on snow conditions. When planning, the winter focus therefore differs from the year-round themes of mining, minerals and church art.

Discover more destinations: Wittenschwand, Vogelbach

Back to the overview of destinations: Dachsberg.