Collenberg: Red Sandstone and Kollenburg Castle

Red sandstone, a castle and a break by the water

In September 2022, the exhibition “History and Stories about Red Sandstone on the Main” and its experience trail opened in Collenberg. The title connects red sandstone with the Main and gives your visit a specific theme. The exhibition and experience trail offer two ways to explore it: one cultural, and one that can be discovered on foot.

Kollenburg Castle offers a different historical perspective: it was built around 1146. Collenberg’s Fechenbach district is also home to a water-treading facility fed by fresh stream water from the Fechenbach. Seating invites you to linger and relax. You can therefore choose where to stay based on what matters to you on your trip: a visit to the exhibition, a historical connection or a break by the water.

Hiking in the southern Spessart

The Südspessart Trail is a circular hiking route approximately 61 kilometres long through the southern Spessart. It runs from Collenberg via Dorfprozelten, Stadtprozelten and Faulbach to Altenbuch. The landscape ranges from the sunny banks of the Main to the wooded hinterland. Collenberg is therefore explicitly part of the route; the hike offers a different scale of experience from visiting individual local cultural and peaceful spots.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Collenberg, your plans for the day can help you decide whether to stay here: would you like to focus on hiking the regional circular route, or would you rather make the exhibition and local sights the main focus? The water-treading facility in Fechenbach offers another way to round off the day with a seated break and some relaxation. These three themes can help you weigh up your interests without having to combine them into a fixed itinerary.

More cultural and landscape highlights in the wider Miltenberg destination

The wider Miltenberg destination has its own distinct cultural offerings. The Stadt Museum presents the history of Miltenberg and the region in three historic half-timbered houses on the market square, the Schnatterloch. The Miltenberg District Cultural Weeks start every year in mid-September and offer a varied programme for all ages. They include concerts featuring classical and contemporary music, as well as jazz and electronic music. Exact dates vary, so check the programme for the time of your trip.

The Miltenberg District International Choir Competition is also one of the longest-established international choir competitions. At past competitions, close personal connections have repeatedly developed between the visiting choirs and local residents. Certified tour guides accompany groups or individual travellers on walking tours of Miltenberg’s old town. As specific tour formats may change, it is advisable to check the current options in advance.

Trails, nature and regional discoveries

The “3 im Wald” experience trail in the wider Miltenberg destination combines a barefoot nature trail, an art trail and a tree information trail. Another natural highlight is the Felsenmeer, a natural monument formed during the last ice ages, from 2.58 million to 11,700 years ago. The town walk starts at Mildenburg Castle and leads through the town forest and through the Steintor. After turning at the Steintor, the Felsenmeer is about 600 metres away. Nature and history also come together in Miltenberg’s town park: laid out in the style of an English park and as an arboretum in the late 19th century, it is now home to almost 150 different species of trees and shrubs.

For trips to the Odenwald, hikers and cyclists in the wider Miltenberg destination can use the NeO-Bus and NaTourBus; bicycle trailers are available specifically for cyclists. As these transport services operate seasonally, check the timetable before travelling. The Main Cycle Route offers many opportunities to discover castles and castle ruins throughout the Miltenberg district, along with their history. Regional wine traditions are also part of the area’s character: visitors can go to a Häckerwirtschaft or wine festival in the district and enjoy regional wine. Dates vary for each event.

Discover more destinations: Laudenbach, Kleinwallstadt, Klingenberg Am Main, Großwallstadt, Elsenfeld, Stadtprozelten, Kleinheubach, Faulbach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Miltenberg.