Tettnang Between the Palace and the Hop Trail

Tettnang can be explored through two distinct themes: the history surrounding New Palace and Torschloss Castle, and hop cultivation, featured along trails and in a machinery presentation. This gives you a choice of cultural attractions, a circular walk through the hop-growing landscape and a longer cycling tour when planning your trip.

Castle History and Tettnang Landmarks

Themed tours of New Palace and the town of Tettnang cover various aspects of aristocratic and bourgeois life. Their subject matter therefore extends beyond a single building, combining different perspectives on life in Tettnang.

Along with New Palace, Torschloss Castle is one of Tettnang’s landmarks. The roof structure of Torschloss Castle and its gate tower dates from the 16th century; the Chapel of the Holy Cross was added in 1578. The rooms on the second and third upper floors of Torschloss Castle are also richly painted. Several details help visitors appreciate the building: its roof structure, the chapel addition and the colorful interiors each make their own impression.

On Foot Through Hop Gardens and Cultivated Countryside

The approximately eight-kilometer Hop Trail circular route connects Tettnang’s town center with Siggenweiler. It passes through cultivated countryside with hop gardens, fruit orchards, hamlets and individual farmsteads. Information along the trail covers the history of hop cultivation in Tettnang and agricultural change. The circular route therefore combines landscape views with the development of a crop that is significant to Tettnang and the region.

Eleven stations and three rest and viewing spots structure the route. At its highest point near Dieglisweiler, visitors can learn which factors influence the flowering of Tettnang hops; from there, they can look out over the Alps and Lake Constance. The stations and viewpoint offer different focuses: one covers cultivation, while another provides views of the landscape.

The circular route is suitable for outings with a stroller. For families with young children, the paved alternative route via Bernau is recommended instead of the nature trail over Brünnensweiler Höhe. Check trail conditions locally before setting out, especially if you are adapting your route to this recommendation.

Experience Hops and Compare Cycling Routes

The Hopfengut No20 in Siggenweiler, Tettnang, offers another perspective on hop cultivation: visitors can take a close look at the Wolf WSZ550 hop-picking machine and learn more about the picking process. As program details may change, check in advance whether this presentation is available. The product’s origin is also specifically designated: in 2010, the European Commission recognized Tettnang hops as a protected geographical indication (PGI).

Anyone wishing to explore the surrounding area by bike can take the signposted Tettnang Hop Loop, a moderately difficult 34-kilometer circular tour. It runs from the Lake Constance Cycle Path up to the hills behind Tettnang. Tettnang, Eriskirch, Langenargen and Kressbronn am Bodensee are listed as starting points.

The specific differences can help you choose between the two routes: the approximately eight-kilometer Hop Trail is a circular route between the town center and Siggenweiler, with information about cultivation and the landscape. The 34-kilometer Hop Loop is a moderately difficult circular cycling tour with several possible starting points. This lets you compare route length, mode of travel and subject matter without assuming a particular walking or cycling time.

Discover more destinations: Neukirch, Billafingen, Owingen, Hagnau on Lake Constance, Baitenhausen, Frickingen, Roggenbeuren, Meersburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Lake Constance.