Discover Birkenau

Birkenau appeals to travelers who want to include historic buildings, hiking trails and nature in their choice of destination. The town hall in the old town center, marked and natural trails, and the rock formation at Götzenstein offer a variety of points of interest. The wider travel destination of Bergstraße also offers a distinct regional perspective on nature, culture and wine.

Half-timbered buildings and protected monuments

Birkenau’s historic town hall was built in 1552, is richly decorated with half-timbering, and stands right in the old town center. Another distinctive building is the two-story Baroque castle of Baron Wambolt von Umstadt, which shapes the townscape. Architecture enthusiasts will find two different points of interest here: the half-timbered town hall, with its specific construction date, and the Baroque castle, a defining feature of the townscape.

Trails and individual buildings also form part of the historic landscape. The State Office for Monument Preservation has designated the Wittelsbach Border Trail a cultural monument and placed it under protection. The French Cross was probably erected in the 15th century, long before the French incursions. The distinction between the dates is important: the year 1552 is given for the town hall, while the dating of the cross is explicitly described as probable.

Hiking trails and sundials

The marked circular hiking trail B3 leads from Birkenau to Nieder-Liebersbach and back to Birkenau. An ancient, natural trail runs along the ridge between the Birkenau districts of Hornbach and Löhrbach. The descriptions provide different points of reference: the B3 names both towns as points along the route, while the other trail is identified by the ridge between the districts.

Four accessible hiking maps lead through the streets of central Birkenau and make it possible to discover numerous sundials. They can be found on house walls and in gardens. This means that exploring the center of Birkenau also draws attention to details in the townscape. If you want to use one of the maps, check beforehand whether the download you need is currently available.

Götzenstein and cycling

Götzenstein is a wooded mountain, 521.9 meters high, in the district of Löhrbach. A group of natural granodiorite boulders is located at its summit. Their shapes were formed through spheroidal weathering, and the rock formation is protected as a natural monument. Its elevation, woodland, rock type and protected status give the site a natural-history focus, distinct from the historic buildings in the town center.

Cycling is another local activity: the municipality lists a mountain biking route called “Mountainbike-Strecke Birkenau.” Along with the hiking trails described above, it lets you consider a range of activities when planning your trip.

Events at La Rochefoucauld Square

Birkenau’s La Rochefoucauld Square hosts events including the Birkenau fair and the Christmas market. If you want to combine your trip with an event, check the specific dates for your planned travel period.

The regional setting: Bergstraße

In the wider travel destination of Bergstraße, gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald in Bergstraße district. One example of a regional hiking attraction is the “Wine & Stone” adventure trail in Heppenheim: it is about 6.9 kilometers long and has around 70 information stations. A fall hike takes place along this trail every year on October 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along the route, hikers can enjoy wines and food at five stations in the vineyards. If this date matters for your trip, check the latest event details beforehand.

The regional cultural offerings also include Lorsch Abbey. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991; one of the best-preserved Carolingian buildings north of the Alps is located there. Public tours are available for groups of two or more. Times and prices may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit. These examples complement Birkenau with distinct destinations in the wider travel region of Bergstraße.

Discover more destinations: Lampertheim, Zwingenberg, Bensheim, Groß-Rohrheim, Einhausen, Bürstadt, Rimbach, Lindenfels.

Go to the regional travel overview: Bergstraße.