Kocherursprung, Natural spring in Oberkochen, Germany

The Kocherursprung is a karst spring in Oberkochen, Baden-Württemberg, where the Black Kocher river begins its flow. The spring produces roughly 680 liters of water per second, forming the river's source.

An iron works stood at the spring from 1551 until its destruction in 1644 during the Thirty Years' War. From 1646 to the mid-18th century a slag washing operation ran on the site. Dark slag remains in the riverbed are said to have given the Black Kocher its name.

The spring forms part of the Geopark Schwäbische Alb, showing visitors how water naturally emerges from limestone rock. You can experience the geological processes of the region directly here.

The area is served by marked hiking trails that start from the spring and lead in several directions. The densely forested surroundings provide natural shade, which is helpful on warmer days.

Only two kilometres south of the spring, the Ziegelbach rises and flows the opposite way, via the Brenz into the Danube. The spring itself feeds the Black Kocher, which joins the White Kocher at Unterkochen. Dark slag remains in the riverbed are said to have given the Black Kocher its name.