Alzenau: Castle, Cultural Trails and Wine

Castle, Museum and Rosarium

The 437 m-high Hahnenkamm is a prominent feature of the townscape. Alzenau Castle was built around 1400 in connection with the granting of town rights and is the focus of the “Wine and Lordship” cultural trail. Access to the courtyards is subject to different conditions: The Lower Castle Courtyard is accessible during the district court’s opening hours and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Upper Castle Courtyard opens for events. Check the current access conditions before your visit.

The Museum of the City has been housed in the Schlösschen Michelbach, a district of Alzenau, since 2006. Exhibits, displays and media technology present a history shaped by borders, regional independence and far-reaching upheavals. The Schlösschen’s castle garden is also home to a Rosarium, which is freely accessible at all times and blooms in early summer. A visit to Michelbach can therefore combine the museum’s history with a seasonal garden experience, depending on your interests.

Cultural Trails and Walking Routes

Three European Cultural Trails developed by the Archaeological Spessart Project run through Alzenau. Their information boards highlight features of the cultural landscape from archaeological, historical, geological and biological perspectives. The “Wine and Lordship” cultural trail offers several route options: one loop of about 5 km runs from Wasserlos to Alzenau, while another, about 7 km long, leads to Hörstein. The entire trail can also be walked.

Another route follows a series of specific stops: The approximately 8 km “Forest and Pilgrimage” circular trail begins at the castle car park and passes the Zeller clay pit, the highest point in the municipal area, and the “Maria zum Rauhen Wind” pilgrimage church, before returning to the castle via the Seven Sorrows Way in the Kahl Valley. The approximate lengths of 5, 7 and 8 km make it easy to compare the routes, while their destinations and courses offer different points of interest.

Michelbach is the northernmost Franconian wine-growing village and is known for its vineyards. Alongside the castle, museum and walking routes, winegrowing is another distinctive part of the village’s character.

Plan Your Swim and Accommodation Search

The family-friendly Alzenau Forest Swimming Pool is located above the castle. Its children’s bathing area includes a toddler pool with slides, spray jets and a spray column, as well as a paddling pool with a stream and a weir for play. The pool is open seasonally; check whether it will be open during your visit before travelling.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Alzenau, you can first decide what you want your trip to focus on: cultural history, longer circular trails, the wine-growing village or seasonal swimming. The destinations and route lengths described here can help you plan your day accordingly, without using the distances to estimate walking times. You can also plan your journey: Westfrankenbahn operates a direct train service called the “Bembel” from Schöllkrippen via Alzenau to Hanau, enabling Alzenau residents to travel on local public transport beyond the town limits. Check the current timetable before your trip.

Cycling and Hiking Trails in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

In the wider Aschaffenburg destination, the family-friendly Main Cycle Route runs through the Main Valley in the district of Aschaffenburg and is well signposted. The Kahl Valley–Spessart Cycle Route is also signposted and passes through the district’s landscapes. Signage may change, so it is worth checking the route signs locally when planning a specific trip.

Discover more destinations: Haibach, Bessenbach, Rohrbrunner Forest, Kleinkahl, Kleinostheim, Johannesberg, Krombach, Wiesen.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Aschaffenburg.