Discover Kirchhain: Erlensee Lake, City Wall and Nature

Kirchhain combines historic buildings around the market square and along the city wall with nature and leisure activities. You can focus your trip on different things: at Erlensee Lake, birdlife and accessible paths take centre stage, while the town hall, Hexenturm tower, park, swimming pools and museum add to the picture. If you are looking for a hotel in Kirchhain, you can choose which of these themes to prioritise based on what you would like to do during your stay.

Nature and accessible paths at Erlensee Lake

Erlensee Lake provides habitats for a diverse range of wildlife. Great crested grebes use it as a breeding site, while cranes and many other migratory birds stop there to rest.

All paths around Erlensee Lake are wheelchair accessible and have no inclines. The nature trail is also well equipped for blind visitors. It is just under 20 minutes on foot from the town hall on the market square to the lake; actual walking times may vary.

Town Hall and City Wall

The town hall on the market square was built in 1533 and received its spiral staircase tower in 1562. The two dates distinguish the original construction from the later addition: the tower was added 29 years after the town hall.

Kirchhain’s Hexenturm tower incorporates parts of the well-preserved city wall. It adds the town’s fortifications to the historic picture.

Cycling in Kirchhain

For cycling trips, the Hessian Long-Distance Cycle Route R 6 gives Kirchhain a wider regional connection. The 405-kilometre route crosses Hesse from the Waldecker Land in the north, through Kirchhain, to Lampertheim in the south. While the route around Erlensee Lake offers a local nature experience, the R 6 places the town on a long north–south route through Hesse.

Park and Swimming Pools

In Kirchhain’s Annapark, alongside the war memorials, there is a playground, outdoor fitness equipment for seniors and several boules courts. This means the park brings together memorial sites and a range of leisure activities.

Kirchhain outdoor swimming pool has a combined non-swimmer and swimmer pool, with a 50-metre pool, a one-metre diving board and two water slides. Phönix indoor swimming pool in Kirchhain has a sauna area and a non-swimmer pool kept at a constant 30.5 °C. Which one you choose depends on whether you prefer the 50-metre pool and water slides or the sauna area and the non-swimmer pool kept at 30.5 °C. If you are planning a visit to a swimming pool, check the current opening hours in advance.

Großseelheim Local History Museum

In the Kirchhain district of Großseelheim, the local history museum showcases domestic life, agriculture and crafts from the early 19th century, as well as traditional costumes and local history. Visits are available by appointment.

More things to see in the wider Marburg-Biedenkopf destination

The wider Marburg-Biedenkopf destination also includes activities at Perfstausee reservoir. Non-motorised boats are permitted there, including stand-up paddleboards and canoes. A walking path that can be used year-round and is suitable for pushchairs runs around the lake. Perfstausee is also located at the intersection of numerous regional and long-distance cycle routes. There are charging stations for e-bikes, as well as a bicycle repair station and ample free parking.

Discover more destinations: Wetter, Stadtallendorf, Biedenkopf, Gladenbach, Bad Endbach, Lohra, Steffenberg, Amöneburg.

View the wider travel guide: Marburg-Biedenkopf.