Fürth: Hiking, Art and History

Fürth is a state-recognized health resort located within the Geo-Nature Park. Hiking options range from a four-kilometre art hike to longer routes through mixed forest and trails with their own themes. This makes it easy to plan a trip around landscapes, art, forests and regional history.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The four-kilometre Sparkassenstiftung Starkenburg art trail is lined with abstract sculptures and leads to Lindenfels. The Fürth Art Trail is a separate route: it features artworks created in 2007 by ten artists at the initiative of the Sparkassenstiftung Starkenburg. Both trails combine hiking with art, but their names and descriptions refer to different offerings.

Another route is the 9.73-kilometre Kunstbank Trail. It loops around the Steinbachwiesen multi-generational park, climbs in the direction of Wagenberg, then follows the edge of the forest towards Altlechterner Tal and Erzberg. Galgenhohl in Kröckelbach is the turning point; from there, the trail leads back to Steinbach. By contrast, the 13-kilometre Wagenberg hike runs mostly through mixed forest between Fürth and Hammelbach and offers views of Fürth and the Weschnitz Valley along the way.

The trail lengths therefore range from four kilometres for the art trail to 9.73 kilometres for the Kunstbank Trail and 13 kilometres for the Wagenberg hike. Their described highlights also differ: abstract sculptures, the various stops along the Kunstbank Trail, or mixed forest with scenic views. The Kahlberg Loop is designated as a nature-only hiking trail.

Forest trails and mountain biking loops

The Fürth Forest has a bee education trail, a forest education trail and a fitness trail. Mountain biking loops are also available on Fürth’s municipal territory. These trails and routes complement the hiking options with more ways to enjoy nature and exercise, though they do not all have the same character.

Culture, local history and guided activities

The Odenwald Model Railway Exhibition has been located in the municipality of Fürth since 2008. Since 2010, a dedicated team has offered guided hikes and themed talks. Check the current schedule before planning a specific visit. In Weschnitz, a district of Fürth, the Waldpädagogische Station Forsthaus Almen is a starting point for tours covering geology and soil science, historic mining and the charcoal-burning craft; specific tours may vary.

Guided tours of the historic town centre explore the local history of its buildings and families. Walburgiskapelle chapel above Weschnitz offers another link to the past: pilgrimages there have been recorded since Carolingian times. A joint ceremonial church service is held there every year on 1 May, attended by many Christians who make the pilgrimage from across the Weschnitz Valley and the Bergstraße. Check the programme for the relevant year before visiting.

More trails in the wider Bergstraße destination

The wider Bergstraße destination also offers hikes with a different focus. The “Wine & Stone” adventure trail in Heppenheim is around 6.9 kilometres long and has about 70 information stations. The annual autumn hike along the trail takes place on 3 October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; hikers can enjoy wines and food at five stations in the vineyards. Check the programme for the relevant year before taking part.

Discover more destinations: Lorsch, Birkenau, Lampertheim, Biblis, Bürstadt, Heppenheim, Bensheim, Groß-Rohrheim.

Back to the wider travel overview: Bergstraße.