Bergstraße: Hiking, Wine and World Heritage

In the Bergstraße district, gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald. Hiking trails, wine experiences and cultural sites offer different reasons to visit the region. If you are looking for accommodation, you can plan your stay around the places you want to visit: a themed trail, a wine event or a visit to a historic site each offers a different focus.

Hiking Trails and Routes in the Odenwald

The “Wine & Stone” adventure trail in Heppenheim is about 6.9 kilometres long and has around 70 information stations. The route combines a manageable distance with stops along the way. The distance is approximate.

The Nibelungensteig leads from Zwingenberg via the Felsenmeer and Grasellenbach, continuing through the Odenwald to Freudenberg on the Main. Its route passes through several towns and stretches of countryside. The Burgensteig Bergstraße covers a different scale: it is 120 kilometres long and divided into nine stages. Compared with the roughly 6.9-kilometre adventure trail, the two routes differ considerably in length; the Burgensteig’s stages also provide additional orientation.

Mountain biking is also available. The Bergstraße-Odenwald Geo-Nature Park offers more than 30 signposted mountain bike circular routes in an interconnected trail system. The Bergstraße-Odenwald network can arrange guided hikes and cycling tours. Rangers from the Geo-Nature Park can be booked as tour guides.

At the Felsenmeer, the Felsenmeer Information Centre offers Felsenmeer rallies. You can also book a Felsenmeer guide in person at the centre in Lautertal. If you are planning a rally or a guided visit, check the current offers and booking options before you go.

Wine and the Annual Autumn Hike

The annual autumn hike along Heppenheim’s “Wine & Stone” adventure trail takes place on 3 October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along the route, hikers can enjoy wine and food at five stations in the vineyards. Check the event details before your trip if you plan to attend.

Visitors can sample Red Riesling and other Bergstraße specialities directly from producers, in wine taverns or at wine festivals. The grape varieties also offer a regional point of reference: Riesling is the Bergstraße’s characteristic white wine grape, while Pinot Noir dominates the red wine category. The autumn hike is a specific event date; producers, wine taverns and wine festivals are other ways to discover the region’s specialities.

Lorsch Abbey, Starkenburg and Other Cultural Attractions

Lorsch Abbey is home to one of the best-preserved Carolingian buildings north of the Alps. The abbey was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Public guided tours are offered for groups of two or more. Check the current schedule before your visit.

Starkenburg Castle stands above the town of Heppenheim on the 295-metre-high Schlossberg and offers views of the Rhine plain and the Odenwald. It was built in 1065 to protect Lorsch Abbey. This defensive role links the two sites historically, while Starkenburg also offers its own viewpoint over Heppenheim.

At the Lauresham open-air laboratory, families can explore the grounds independently with a discovery box containing activities, puzzles and experiments. Plan your visit around the current opening hours. Fürstenlager State Park covers an area of about 46 hectares and features exotic trees and plants, adding a park visit to the region’s cultural and natural attractions.

Practical Travel Information

The Tourist Information Office in Lorsch’s Old Town Hall can advise you on leisure activities. Lorsch is accessible by public transport and by car. Check current connections if you are planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Wald-Michelbach, Abtsteinach, Rimbach, Mörlenbach, Werra-Meißner district, Limburg-Weilburg, Vogelsberg, Rheingau-Taunus district.

For the general travel overview: Hesse.