Hügelsheim: Asparagus tradition, local history and seasonal activities

Hügelsheim combines regional food culture with traces of history and a variety of leisure activities. The season can also help with planning, as some activities are specifically tied to certain periods of the year.

Asparagus season and local produce

Hügelsheim is on the Baden Asparagus Route and is known beyond the region as an asparagus village. During the asparagus harvest, the municipality recommends traditional asparagus dishes. The season runs from late April to mid-June; harvest dates may vary. If you are visiting for the regional cuisine, this season provides a useful guide to when to come. Menus may change depending on the restaurant and the season, so it is best to ask about a specific dish before your visit.

Jerusalem artichoke is also part of the local food scene: the tuber is grown in Hügelsheim and made into schnapps, which is sold in several varieties. Jerusalem artichoke also appears on the menus of local restaurants, including as a soup. The town’s culinary offerings therefore include both traditional asparagus dishes and another locally grown product, along with its uses in cooking and distilling.

Local history, from the Roman road to the Rhine meadows

The Roman road keeps the memory of Roman history alive. Its route can still be traced using aerial photographs. A more prominent landmark in the town’s history is today’s church, which the municipality had built in 1842.

Hügelsheim’s history also includes older rights and trade links. Gold-panning rights in the Rhine meadows are recorded for the year 1345. Historically, there was also permission to send a duty-free market boat to Strasbourg every Thursday. These examples span the landscape along the Rhine and former trade connections. If you are interested in history, they offer several different points of interest: Roman heritage, a 19th-century church building, and older gold-panning and shipping rights.

Swimming lake, ice sports and other activities

Erländersee is a summer swimming destination in Hügelsheim. It is open for seasonal use from April to mid-September. Visitors also come from the surrounding area, and the lake is considered to have good water quality. As swimming conditions and water quality can change, check the latest official notices before swimming.

Another option is the Baden-Airpark Ice Arena. Regular ice hockey games featuring teams from the Hügelsheim Ice Sports Club are held there, along with weekly public skating sessions. The games and skating times may vary by season. Skates can be rented at the ice arena, although availability may depend on seasonal operations. Golfers can visit an 18-hole golf course in the Baden-Airpark area, run by Baden-Hills Golf and Curling Club. Check current visitor information directly with the club. A cycle path also runs between Iffezheim and Hügelsheim.

Choosing a time to visit and getting around

Two seasonal interests can be compared when planning a visit: the asparagus season, from late April to mid-June, falls within the Erländersee swimming season, which runs from April to mid-September. The two periods overlap, although the harvest dates may vary; check current swimming notices for the lake. Ice sports are another option, with regular games and public skating times that vary by season.

There is also a direct bus service to Baden-Baden: Baden-Baden Line (BBL) 205 connects Hügelsheim with the city centre. Check the current timetable before travelling. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, the season and your preferred activities can help you choose when to travel and search for accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Steinmauern, Durmersheim, Sinzheim, Gernsbach, Weisenbach, Bühl, Kuppenheim, Muggensturm.

For the regional travel overview: Rastatt.