Main-Kinzig District: Nature, Culture and Excursions

Landscape, Trails and Views

The Kinzig rises in the northeast of Main-Kinzig District near Sinntal-Sterbfritz and flows into the Main in Hanau. The orchards stretching from Bergen-Enkheim to Maintal-Hochstadt are another defining feature of the landscape. The area covers around 320 hectares. Some of the sunny slopes are protected; in spring, flowering trees and colorful meadows invite you to take walks and excursions.

There are various starting points for hikes. The premium hiking trail “Spessartbogen” passes through Biebergemünd. The area around Hasselroth is ideal for hiking and visiting the Hässeler Weiher nature reserve. In Bad Orb, the 9 m-high Wartturm on Molkenberg is both a viewpoint and a starting point for hikes. From there, the panoramic view stretches across Bad Orb, the Spessart and the Vogelsberg.

The Haseltal valley in Bad Orb also brings together several local features: a trail runs along the Hasel, and the Haselweiher pond and a Kneipp facility are also part of the excursion destination. The facility is a place to linger and relax; the Haseltal is also accessible by car. If you’re planning a bike ride, you can explore Brachttal by bicycle via the Vogelsberger Südbahn cycle path.

Culture and History in Specific Places

The Gelnhausen Museum is housed in the former Augustaschule on Obermarkt and is designed as an interactive family museum. Children and adults can experience history through touch, hearing, smell, participation and hands-on activities during guided tours, workshops, rallies and other educational museum programs. As program details may change, check the current offerings before your visit.

The Old Castle in Büdesheim, a district of the municipality of Schöneck in Main-Kinzig District, Hesse, is also known as Bruderhof or Brendelstein. The Renaissance-era castle complex originated as an older Benedictine estate. A moated castle and Burgwiesenpark are located in Jossgrund-Burgjoß. The castle complex in Schöneck-Büdesheim and the moated castle and park in Jossgrund-Burgjoß each offer a distinct historical focus.

Rodenbach is home to Faxe Müller’s ephemeral woodland artwork “Wabernde Welle” (“Undulating Wave”). Steinau an der Straße lies on the German Fairy Tale Route and was the hometown of the Brothers Grimm. If you’re interested in historic viewpoints, visit Schwarzenfels Castle in Sinntal for panoramic views of the surrounding forests.

Water, Plants and Brine

Kinzigsee lake in Langenselbold is a bathing lake with a sandy beach, a large sunbathing lawn and clear water. Visitors can swim, sunbathe, play beach volleyball, sail, windsurf and stand-up paddleboard. As seasonal details may change, it is advisable to check the current offerings before your visit.

In Bad Orb, the teaching herb garden combines displays with educational activities: it was created in 2000 as a natural teaching and display garden to mark the 100th anniversary of the spa gardens. More than 200 different herbs and medicinal plants are on display, and the garden teaches visitors about herbal medicine. The Spessart Therme in Bad Soden-Salmünster offers a different focus. In the intensive brine pool, visitors bathe in 100 percent Bad Soden brine, which has a salt content of almost 10 percent. Check current services and operating details before your visit.

Visits to the falconry at Ronneburg Castle require an appointment. Visitors can see free-flying birds of prey up close. Age-appropriate educational talks are available for school classes and kindergartens. Contact the falconry in advance to arrange a date if you’d like to include this offering in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Flörsbachtal, Bad Soden-Salmünster, Bad Orb, Birstein, Jossgrund, Sinntal, Odenwald, Limburg-Weilburg.

Go to the main travel overview: Hesse.