Offenbach: Culture, Routes and Apple Wine

If you are planning a hotel stay in Offenbach, you can tailor your trip to your own interests: the Offenbach district focuses on cultural history, cycling and hiking trails, educational trails and regional food culture. The options differ considerably—from a short route with information boards to a long cycling and hiking trail connection. Historic sites and guided walks also offer their own distinctive experiences.

Cycling Routes Along the Main and Through the Region

In the Offenbach district, Mainhausen, Seligenstadt, Hainburg and Mühlheim lie along the Main in the Hessian Lower Main region, on the Main Cycle Route. The route follows the Main from its source to its mouth through Franconian and Hessian landscapes, with regional points of interest along the way. It takes a varied course away from heavy traffic and is clearly signposted.

The Einhard Route offers a different kind of trail: this 60-kilometre connection between Seligenstadt and Michelstadt is marked with a white “E” on a red background and can be hiked in either direction. The Regionalpark Circular Route, in turn, is a major cycling and hiking connection in the Rhine-Main region. Over a total of 190 kilometres, it links orchards and wetlands with works of art, historic landmarks, viewpoints and play areas. Sections can be explored by bicycle or on foot.

Educational Trails: From Evolution to River History

In Egelsbach, the 1.1-kilometre Evolution Trail illustrates evolutionary developments and events on 19 signs. Its starting point is directly opposite the access road to Egelsbach Airport. Part of the trail overlaps with the Rhine-Main Regional Park Route. This connection between two routes provides a useful reference point, while the signs focus on evolution.

The Rodau Nature Trail runs for just under six kilometres between Urberach and Ober-Roden. Twelve panels cover nature in, along and around the Rodau, including fish, small animals, birds and plants, as well as conservation achievements. The trail also shows how the river has changed over time: from four former mills on its banks and its earlier courses, through straightening in the 1930s, to the renaturalisation that began in 2009. The panels thus connect nature topics with the history of the river landscape.

Seligenstadt: Architecture, Museum and Places of Remembrance

The Einhard Basilica is considered one of the most significant churches of the Carolingian era on German soil and is Seligenstadt’s present-day landmark. The Palatium was also built on the Main during the Hohenstaufen period; Emperor Barbarossa is believed to have had it built as a hunting lodge. The RegioMuseum offers visitors interested in the history of the town and abbey exhibits on prehistory and early history, folklore, arts and crafts, and painting and sculpture from the 15th to the 18th century.

Another way to explore the town’s history is the free “Stolpersteine” walking tour. It begins at the Jewish cemetery and follows selected Stolpersteine—memorial stones—in Seligenstadt, with stops exploring different locations and the life stories of Jewish residents. The tour is open to everyone; check the latest route details before your visit. A guided walk called “In die Sommerfrische” (“A Summer Retreat”) is also available: the approximately 3.5-kilometre route leads from the monastery along the Main to the moated castle and offers insight into the history of the former Benedictine abbey. Check its current availability before travelling.

Hessian Specialities and a Brewery Tour

Along the Offenbach Town and District regional loop of the Hessian Apple Wine and Orchard Route, restaurants invite visitors to enjoy Hessian specialities. Apple wine served in a ribbed glass is a Hessian tradition. Glaabsbräu offers brewery tours that engage all the senses and end with a refreshing Glaabs beer. Check the current availability of tours before travelling.

The different route lengths and themes can help you plan your stay: you can focus on cultural sites, river history, evolution or regional specialities without confusing the individual routes with one another.

Discover more destinations: Mainhausen, Dietzenbach, Rödermark, Dudenhofen, Egelsbach, Mühlheim am Main, Neu-Isenburg, Obertshausen, Offenbach am Main, Rodgau, Seligenstadt, Hainburg, Langen, Heusenstamm, Dreieich.

See the overview of destinations: Hesse.