Balbronn: Heritage, Forest and Trails

Discover Balbronn through several specific themes: historic buildings, hiking and cycling routes, the forests of Elmerforst, and a distillery offering tastings. When planning your visit, it is worth bearing in mind the different ways to explore: a cultural route ends at the church, while a guided tour of the distillery is available for groups by prior arrangement.

Church, cemetery and synagogue

Balbronn Church and cemetery are protected as historic monuments. The decree of 10 September 1990 covers all remains, including the ground. The main construction phases of the church and cemetery date from the 12th, 13th and 15th centuries. The fortified cemetery wall is also part of the historic setting: it survives except for the southeastern corner.

The Protestant cultural route through the Vallée de la Mossig ends at Balbronn Church on Rue Neuve. The church is therefore both a protected building and the endpoint of a named cultural route. If you include this route in your travel plans, check the latest information in advance.

The synagogue offers a different architectural highlight. Built in 1895, it is a rectangular Neo-Romanesque structure with six window bays. Historic protection applies to the façades and roofs; they were listed as monuments by decree on 10 February 1999. The scope of protection therefore differs from that for the church and cemetery: for the synagogue, the façades and roof are specifically named, while for the church and cemetery ensemble, all remains, including the ground, are covered.

Hiking and cycling routes

The Circuit du Loejele is described with specific details for a hike: it is 15 km long, takes 4 hours and 30 minutes, and is of moderate difficulty. This information helps you assess the time required and the level of challenge. Check the latest route details before setting out, as route information may change.

The Le Vignoble cycling route reaches Balbronn via the D 225. It offers a different way to plan your visit from the Circuit du Loejele: here, a cycling route linked to the D 225 is named, while the hiking route is described by distance, duration and difficulty. It is also a good idea to take a quick look at the latest route details before cycling.

Elmerforst and the location of the inn

The forests of Elmerforst cover 360 hectares and include, in particular, oak and fir trees. This gives the landscape a specific scale: it is an extensive forest with these two explicitly named tree species. The Auberge de l’Elmerforst is located within the municipality of Balbronn, four kilometres from the village and in the middle of the forest. The village and the inn are therefore not the same point of reference: the inn is within the municipal area, but is located at the stated distance from the village.

Tastings and tours

Distillerie Hagmeyer mainly processes fruit from its own harvest. At its boutique in Balbronn, it welcomes visitors for tastings of eaux-de-vie and liqueurs. Check visitor arrangements before travelling. A guided tour is also available for groups by prior arrangement.

Tastings and group tours therefore offer different ways to plan your stay: the boutique welcomes visitors for tastings, while guided tours are for groups and require prior arrangement. Together with the protected buildings, cultural route and different trails, these options let you choose the focus of your trip to Balbronn.

Discover more destinations: Grandfontaine, Soultz-sous-Forêts, Reichsfeld, Lalaye, Birkenwald, Westhoffen, Bernardvillé, Hunspach

Back to the regional travel overview: Bas-Rhin.