Simmertal between the Rock Garden and local history

When looking for hotels in Simmertal, you can choose between two main themes: the Vitaltour Felsengarten and the historic buildings and traces of local history. The hike can be assessed by length, difficulty and route; the town hall and church offer different thematic highlights.

Hiking around Simmertal

The Vitaltour Felsengarten is 13.8 kilometres long and classified as difficult. The circular hike starts and ends in Simmertal and passes observation platforms as it winds through vineyards, forests and rocky terrain. It lies within the “Nahetal zwischen Simmertal und Bad Kreuznach” FFH area. The Felsengarten trail starts at Simmertal’s historic town hall. Together, its length, difficulty rating and terrain provide specific points of reference for planning the hike. Check current route information before setting out, as trail conditions can change.

The shortest route from the Simmertal sawmill car park to Dhaun Castle goes via Rotenberg and Brunkenstein. Historically, Brunkenstein and Rotenburg were built as military-strategic outposts between historic Siemere, today’s Simmertal, and Dhaun Castle. A remnant of the wall at Brunkenstein is clearly visible and preserved. The route to the castle and the historic outposts offer two different points of reference for planning; note the different spellings Rotenberg and Rotenburg.

Local history, church and museum

Simmertal was referred to as “Simera” in 841. Roman grave finds in the area are considered evidence of an ancient settlement history. A predecessor church dedicated to Saint Maximin is recorded in Simmertal in 1140. This predecessor church should be distinguished from the Protestant Church, built in 1730 as a rubble-stone structure with a three-sided closed end and a square roof turret. The church has a Stumm organ from the same year. The building’s design and organ give the church its own historical significance.

The historic town hall offers a different theme: it dates from 1499 and houses a natural history museum with fossils, minerals, and botanical and ornithological exhibits. Natural history and collection themes thus complement the architectural and musical history of the Protestant Church. Museum visits are by appointment. If you would like to plan a museum visit, arrange it in advance.

Accommodation and practical information

There is a campsite by the Kellenbach with pitches for motorhomes and bikers. Facility operations and pitch regulations may change, so check the latest details before travelling. This gives you a specific accommodation option distinct from looking for a hotel, without implying anything about individual hotels or their amenities.

More culture in the broader destination of Bad Kreuznach

The broader destination of Bad Kreuznach is also home to the Brückenhäuser, a distinctive architectural landmark. The half-timbered buildings were erected from 1480 on the piers of the old Nahe Bridge, built around 1300, because of a lack of space. The bridge and the houses built later therefore represent two separate construction periods. The tourist information offices of the municipal associations and towns in the district, as well as Naheland Touristik in Kirn, provide information on visits, accommodation and booking, leisure activities, wellness, and wine and cuisine in the Naheland.

Discover more destinations: Raumbach, Nußbaum, Dalberg, Bad Münster Am Stein-Ebernburg, Bockenau, Burgsponheim, Bruschied, Hergenfeld

Back to the broader travel guide: Bad Kreuznach.