Roxheim – Wine, Churches and Hiking Trails

Roxheim combines church architecture and winegrowing with practical ways to explore the region on foot or by bike. These themes offer different points of interest when choosing a destination: the churches illustrate several architectural periods and the town’s religious history; wine brings together named vineyard sites, tastings and a seasonal specialty. For outdoor activities, options range from the 4.4-kilometre Roxheim Wine Experience Trail to the approximately 135-kilometre Nahe Cycle Route, which passes through the wider region.

Churches and Architectural History

Roxheim’s religious heritage includes the Protestant parish church and the Catholic parish church of St. Sebastian. Several architectural periods come together at the Protestant church: the choir tower dates from around 1300, while the Baroque nave was built in 1738. The choir tower stands at the far end of the church rather than at the entrance. Its three bells are used for church services and also strike the hours. Until 1869, the church served both denominations as a shared church. The historic rectory, built in 1738, is part of the church complex. The Catholic parish church of St. Sebastian was built between 1869 and 1871 in the Romanesque Revival style.

Winegrowing and Food

Winegrowing also has a historical connection: a deed of donation to Fulda Abbey from 773 mentions vineyards; this reference is associated with Roxheim’s winegrowing tradition. Weingut Merz cultivates around seven hectares of vineyards in Roxheim, neighbouring communities and Bad Kreuznach. At its Probierstübchen NAHE, the winery offers tastings of wines from various vineyard sites around Roxheim. The steep Roxheimer Höllenpfad and Roxheimer Birkenberg sites are associated with fine-grained Upper Rotliegend sandstone.

For October, Weingut Heil promotes its Heil’sche Spansau specialty, served with homemade Füllsel potatoes, salad and Federweißer. Dates and availability may vary; check both before your visit.

Wine Trails and Rest Stops

The Roxheim “Roxl” Wine Experience Trail is 4.4 kilometres long, rated easy and listed as taking around 1 hour and 14 minutes. Along the way, it offers seasonal impressions of the vineyards, information about wine, views and places to rest. While the Probierstübchen focuses on tastings, the trail combines wine knowledge with exercise, views and breaks along the route.

For years, the wayside cross on the boundary of the Roxheim vineyards was a popular rest stop for hikers and cyclists. In 2025, a vineyard hut at the meeting point of the St. Katharinen, Mandel and Roxheim vineyards was handed over for public use as a rest stop for hikers and cyclists. As local infrastructure may require maintenance, check its condition before your visit.

Routes in the Wider Area

The Rüdesheim collective municipality provides marked hiking trails and cycling routes for exploring historic villages and buildings. The local circular routes pass through nature, vineyards and villages. The Nahe Cycle Route is around 135 kilometres long, runs from its source in Saarland to its mouth near Bingen and passes through the wider region.

Discover more destinations: Lauschied, Niederhausen, Desloch, Hahnenbach, Bad Kreuznach, Hochstätten, Waldböckelheim, Bockenau.

Go to the main travel overview: Bad Kreuznach.