Simonswald: Mills, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Simonswald
Simonswald combines mill history with hiking suggestions to a variety of destinations. The Mill Hiking Trail starts at Sägplatz, by the Kronen Mill; other suggestions lead from the town centre into named valleys or as far as the Hofkapelle chapel. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether you would like your days off to focus more on cultural attractions, hikes or a combination of both.
File:Historische Ölmühle Simonswald 01.JPG
Photo: Dr. Bernd Gross via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Mill history at Sägplatz
The Kronen Mill was built around 1800, restored and rebuilt at Sägplatz in Simonswald. It previously belonged to the Adamhof farm near St. Märgen and was in operation until the 1950s. The starting point of the Mill Hiking Trail is also at Sägplatz, by the Kronen Mill. This brings a named hiking trail starting point and the mill’s history together in one place.
The oil mill and Trotte in Simonswald are also a cultural monument dating from the early 18th century. The oil mill’s oak press beam is ten metres long, with the year 1712 carved into it. The dates refer to different things: 1712 is carved into the press beam, while the Kronen Mill was built around 1800. Guided tours are offered at the grain and oil mill. If you plan to take a tour, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.
Another cultural attraction is the Jockenhof Village Museum. It is located in an old farmhouse in the centre of Obersimonswald. Check the current opening hours before your visit.
Hiking suggestions with different destinations
One hiking suggestion leads from the centre of Simonswald across the Wilde Gutach and through the Ettersbach Valley to the Hofkapelle chapel. Another leads from the town centre along Kirchstraße into the Haslach Valley and via the Paradiesweg to the Ratsstüble inn. These named sections and endpoints provide different points of reference for planning your day. Check local trail conditions before setting out.
The Zweribach Waterfall offers another connection with nature: it lies within a nature reserve and a protected forest. Its protected setting makes this place thematically distinct from the trails described by their routes through the town centre and valleys to named destinations.
Choose your location to suit your holiday plans
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can use the different trail starting points and cultural attractions as a guide. Two hiking suggestions start in the centre of Simonswald, the Mill Hiking Trail starts at Sägplatz by the Kronen Mill, and the village museum is in the centre of Obersimonswald. Consider which of these themes you would like to shape your daily plans, and factor the relevant location into your choice. If you are travelling with children, it may be helpful when planning to choose one main activity for each day of your holiday, such as a hiking suggestion or a cultural attraction.
In the wider destination of Emmendingen
In the wider destination of Emmendingen, the district has a well-developed network of 800 kilometres of hiking trails and routes. There are also 900 kilometres of cycle routes, including 250 kilometres of signposted routes. These figures provide a broader regional perspective alongside the specific hiking suggestions in Simonswald.
At 1,242 metres, the Kandel is the highest mountain in the district of Emmendingen. The Hochburg also offers a historical point of interest in the wider destination: it is one of the largest castle complexes in Baden, and the first written mention of it dates back to 1161. This lets you distinguish between local mills and trails in Simonswald and other topics in the wider destination of Emmendingen when planning your holiday.
Discover more destinations: Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl, Weisweil, Winden im Elztal, Bahlingen, Waldkirch, Denzlingen, Sexau, Endingen am Kaiserstuhl.
Back to the wider travel overview: Emmendingen.
