Renchen: Grimmelshausen, Culture and Walking Routes

Grimmelshausen and the history of Renchen

The Simplicissimus House next to Renchen Town Hall is a museum dedicated to the reception history of Johann Jakob Christoph von Grimmelshausen. It is open to visitors, and audio guides are available on request. Check current visiting arrangements before your visit. In the local history exhibition, you’ll encounter archaeological finds, original artefacts, models and works of art—different ways to explore Renchen’s history in one place.

Renchen also celebrates its literary heritage in public spaces: the Mummelsee Fountain offers an artistic interpretation of the Mummelsee theme in Grimmelshausen’s Adventurous Simplicissimus Teutsch. Another link to the past can be found in a stone originally intended as a memorial to the rebels shot during the 1848/49 Revolution. It was brought to Renchen, reworked into a Grimmelshausen monument and unveiled in 1879. The town thus brings together literary history and remembrance of the revolutionary era.

Routes through Renchen, Ulm and Erlach

The 8.7-kilometre route connecting Renchen with the districts of Ulm and Erlach is suitable for a short bike ride as well as a hike. It follows cycle paths almost throughout. The Mauritius Legends Circular Trail takes a different route: the 9.3-kilometre loop starts at the Mergelgrube in Renchen, passes through Renchen, Ulm and Erlach, and returns to the Mergelgrube.

The Renchen Nature Trail is a circular route of about nine kilometres. It starts at the railway station and from there leads through the Rench lowlands. Signposts marked with a stork symbol indicate the route. The three routes are similar in length but differ in their connections and starting points. When choosing, you can therefore consider whether you’d prefer to include the town’s districts, start at the Mergelgrube or use the railway station as your starting point. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Summer programme and mini golf

During the summer months, local associations offer a varied programme of cultural events and festivities in Renchen’s historic town park. As individual events may vary, it’s worth checking the dates before planning a visit. That way, you can plan your time in the park around the seasonal cultural programme.

Mini golf is another way to spend the day differently: the facility, with a bistro and beer garden at Weidenstraße 32, was scheduled to reopen from 28 March 2026. Weather permitting, daily opening hours of 2 pm to 8 pm were planned. As this information relates to 2026, check current opening hours before visiting.

Renchen and the Ortenau district

For a broader sense of the surrounding landscape, it’s also worth looking at the Ortenau district, which lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. The district has 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares. They extend from the Rhine Plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This regional perspective complements the specific routes and cultural attractions in Renchen without conflating them with the landscapes of the district as a whole.

Plan your stay around your interests

If you’re looking for a holiday apartment in Renchen, your preferred focus for each day can guide your plans: the Simplicissimus House and the local history exhibition offer a cultural dimension, while the three routes have different starting points and itineraries. In summer, the changing programme in the town park is another option. Consider which of these experiences you’d like to include in your stay, and plan your excursions accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Kappelrodeck, Durbach, Nordrach, Schutterwald, Rust, Steinach, Schuttertal, Ortenberg.

For the regional travel overview: Ortenau district.