Kreuzwertheim: Nature, Trails and Local History

Kreuzwertheim brings together historic buildings, an orchard landscape directly north of the old town, and opportunities for hiking and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel, it may help to decide in advance what you want to focus on during your stay: local history, nature or active excursions.

Nature north of the old town

The “Erlichgärten” is a 45-hectare orchard landscape directly north of Kreuzwertheim’s old town. It is part of the European Fauna-Flora-Habitat site “Maintalhänge zwischen Bürgstadt und Wertheim.” More than 50 rare and endangered bird and beetle species have been recorded in the Erlichgärten. If you want to give nature a greater role in your plans, you can make the Erlichgärten a separate focus alongside the historic town centre.

Local history and craftsmanship

The stone High Cross in the historic church square is considered a landmark and is associated with the beginnings of Christianisation in the southeastern Spessart. The square is also home to a Romanesque church dating from 1443. The Peter-Herrschaft House was built in 1594; the Renaissance building has a stepped gable. A winery has been operating there ever since.

The “Prassek Scheune” is a local history and crafts museum housed in an 18th-century barn. Its nine open rooms and subdivisions display aspects and objects of rural everyday life, including a kitchen, living room, shoemaker’s workshop, school and farm. A walk through the town centre also takes you past the castle, which dates from 1736. It remains a residence and is not open for guided tours.

Hiking and excursions in the surrounding area

The circular hiking trail “Auf dem Weg ins Himmelreich” runs from Wertheim via Kreuzwertheim and Himmelreich and back to Wertheim. It takes about three hours, is rated easy and is marked “Schwarzes H” and “W4.” Before setting off, check the current route and trail markings, as route conditions and signage may change.

The Main Hiking Trail offers another option: its final stage ends in Kreuzwertheim, on the border with Baden-Württemberg. Landscapes and destinations in the area for hikes around Kreuzwertheim include the river scenery along the Main, Kreuzwertheim’s “Himmelreich” and the “Kaffelstein” wine-growing area.

In the area around Kreuzwertheim, visitors can rent a canoe or kayak to explore the river nearby. Check availability before your trip.

Cycling in Kreuzwertheim and the Main-Tauber district

Kreuzwertheim has a cycle path along the Main, as well as more challenging bike tours between Spessart forests and vineyards. E-bikes are particularly recommended for less-trained cyclists. There is an e-bike charging station in Kreuzwertheim directly on the Main Cycle Route; check locally before your tour to see whether the service is available.

At the level of the wider Main-Tauber district destination, the cycling map lists 18 circular and point-to-point tours ranging from 24 to 240 kilometres. These include the five-star cycle route “Der Klassiker,” the Taubertal Cycle Route, the Wine Cycle Tour and the Main-Tauber-Fränkischer Rad-Achter. Check the tour details before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Wittighausen, Königheim, Niederstetten, Creglingen, Boxberg, Grünsfeld, Freudenberg Am Main, Tauberbischofsheim.

Go to the main travel overview: Main-Tauber district.