Alfeld: Local History, Church Fair and Rinntal Valley

Alfeld combines local history, customs and nature to create a varied travel destination. A signposted tour leads through the village, while the Rinntal Nature Trail follows a valley of geological and botanical interest. Other highlights include the church fair tradition and the Alfelder Windloch natural monument near Nonnhof. This offers different options for planning a holiday, from local history and festival culture to the landscape.

Discover the Local History

The Protestant Church of St Bartholomew in Alfeld was consecrated in 1072. The signposted Alfeld Boundary Walk offers another way to explore local history: the 1.5 km route leads through Alfeld and includes six stops. The church and boundary walk offer different perspectives—a specific historical consecration and a trail that brings local history to life at several stops.

At the starting point of the boundary walk, an audio device made by Stefan Stock from Kastl plays four MP3 recordings about local history, traditional songs and customs. You can take the boundary walk on your own or in a group; the Alfeld Cultural Association offers guided tours on request. You can therefore explore the route independently or, if you wish, with a guide.

Church Fair with Music and a Maypole Dance

At the Alfeld church fair, the Kirwaboum and Moidlan (young men and women celebrating the fair) make their way to the village square with music to raise the church fair tree. On Monday at 5:30 pm, they dance around the tree. The procession to the church fair tree and the dance give the tradition a clear structure and offer a glimpse of local festival culture.

Rinntal Valley and Dolomite Cave

The Rinntal Nature Trail in Alfeld is about 2 km long and takes approximately two hours to walk. It follows a valley with no roads, which is of geological and botanical interest. The walking time is therefore a useful planning detail in addition to the route’s length. Alfeld’s Kneipp pool is located between the playground and the start of the Rinntal Nature Trail.

The Rinntal Nature Reserve near Alfeld covers 32.82 hectares and lies in the area surrounding the destination. The Alfelder Windloch natural monument is located near Nonnhof: the Dolomite cave is 2.2 km long and the second-longest known Dolomite cave in the Franconian Jura.

The Nürnberger Land Region

The Nürnberger Land region also has its own selection of trails and destinations. More than 3,000 kilometres of well-marked hiking trails and well-maintained cycling routes of varying difficulty run through the region. The Nürnberger Land is part of the Franconian Switzerland–Franconian Jura Nature Park. One specific hiking option is the “Hohenstein (634 m) – SevenSummits” route in Kirchensittenbach: it is 10.1 km long, with 406 metres of ascent and 397 metres of descent. Compared with the 1.5 km boundary walk, it offers a considerably longer route.

Culture and relaxation complement the region’s hiking options. The German Shepherds’ Museum in Hersbruck displays clothing, equipment and handicrafts made by shepherds from around the world. Fackelmann Therme Hersbruck is accessible to people with disabilities; lifts connect the foyer to the thermal spa area and from there to the sports and leisure pool and the sauna park. It offers relaxation in state-recognised therapeutic water and a sauna area with seven saunas.

Holiday Apartments and Trip Planning

When looking for a holiday apartment in Alfeld, you can make the local highlights your starting point: local history, the church fair and Rinntal Valley shape the area’s attractions. If you would also like to include longer hikes, a museum or a thermal spa, the Nürnberger Land offers a broader regional setting. This lets you choose a destination based on the mix of local and regional activities you’re looking for.

Discover more destinations: Neuhaus A.D.Pegnitz, Kirchensittenbach, Schwaig Bei Nürnberg, Leinburg, Burgthann, Winkelhaid, Hartenstein, Altdorf Bei Nürnberg

View the main travel guide: Nürnberger Land.