Discover Waldkirch: Culture, Nature and Culinary Delights

If you’re looking for a hotel in Waldkirch, the focus of your trip can be shaped by your interests: organ building and local history, experiences high above the ground, activities by the water or regional cuisine. Waldkirch offers a range of ways to explore them.

Culture and History in Waldkirch

Waldkirch has been a centre of organ building for more than 200 years. The Elztalmuseum in Waldkirch offers another insight into this tradition, bringing together regional history and organ building alongside changing special exhibitions. The museum thus brings a local cultural tradition into conversation with the history of the region.

Another historical feature is the Gewerbekanal. Built around 1250, it is 3.7 kilometres long and is considered Waldkirch’s longest monument. Nine information boards illustrate its history. They are located between Kollnau station and Galgenbrücke, adding a story of its own to the canal.

At Kastelburg Castle, six audio stations take you on a journey through its medieval history. The audio content is available in German, English and French. You can therefore combine your visit to the castle with an audio experience that makes its content accessible in three languages.

Treetop Walk, Lake and Mine

The treetop walk in Waldkirch is 200 metres long and reaches heights of up to 23 metres as it winds through the treetops. The treetop walk is also home to a 190-metre tube slide with a gradient of up to 50 per cent; it is described as Europe’s longest tube slide. The measurements relate to two different experiences: a path through the treetops and a long slide ride.

At Stadtrainsee lake, you can enjoy adventure mini golf and pedal boating. Another option is the shorter guided tour through St. Anna tunnel at the Suggental visitor mine: it follows a level route and is also suitable for families and visitors with limited mobility. The Stollenfest tunnel festival is also held every autumn in Waldkirch’s Suggental district. This gives you a choice of leisure activities by the lake, a mine tour and an annual autumn festival to suit different interests.

Weekly Market and Culinary Trails

A weekly market is held in Waldkirch’s market square on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., offering fresh fruit, vegetables, honey and eggs. Vendors and products may change, so if you’re coming for a particular item, check what’s available in advance. With its set days and times, the market is a different planning reference from a trip without a fixed market day.

The culinary trails in Waldkirch-Buchholz lead through vineyards and orchards to scenic viewpoints. Wine and regional specialities turn the walk into a culinary experience. Here, landscape and cuisine come together, while the market focuses on the food on offer and visiting at specific times. Both offer a distinct focus for planning your trip.

The Wider Destination of Emmendingen

Looking beyond Waldkirch to the wider destination of Emmendingen brings the district into focus as a regional destination in its own right. It has 900 kilometres of cycling routes, including 250 kilometres of signposted routes, as well as a network of 800 kilometres of hiking trails and tours. These figures can help guide your plans if you’d like to explore cycling or hiking in the district alongside Waldkirch’s cultural and leisure activities.

Hochburg Castle is also part of the wider destination of Emmendingen. Its first written mention dates to 1161, and it is one of Baden’s largest castle complexes. The association dedicated to preserving the Hochburg ruins runs a museum there and offers guided tours. If you’re planning a tour, check the available dates in advance. This lets you include the district’s cultural attractions as a distinct part of your trip planning without losing sight of Waldkirch’s offerings.

Discover more destinations: Emmendingen, Sexau, Teningen, Denzlingen, Weisweil, Sasbach Am Kaiserstuhl, Bahlingen, Vörstetten

Back to the wider travel overview: Emmendingen.