Birkenau: Half-Timbered Houses, Rock and Hiking Trails

Birkenau can be discovered through a variety of facets: the town hall, built in 1552, stands in the old town center, while the castle, hiking trails and the wooded heights of the Götzenstein offer other points of interest. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, consider whether local history or hiking and nature will play a greater role in your holiday.

Half-timbered houses and traces of history

The historic town hall was built in 1552, features richly detailed half-timbering and stands right in the old town center. The Baroque palace of Baron Wambolt von Umstadt is a two-story building that shapes the townscape. Birkenau thus brings together a variety of architectural styles.

Designated cultural monuments are also part of the town’s history. The State Office for Monument Preservation has designated the Wittelsbach Border Path as a cultural monument and placed it under protection. The dating of the French Cross remains explicitly uncertain: it was probably erected in the 15th century, long before the French invasions.

Events such as the Birkenau Kerwe festival and Christmas market take place at La Rochefoucauld Square. If you would like to plan your trip around these events, check the dates before you travel.

Hiking trails, sundials and the Götzenstein

The marked B3 circular hiking trail runs from Birkenau to Nieder-Liebersbach and back to Birkenau. Those interested in a trail along a mountain ridge can also take the ancient, natural hiking path between the Birkenau districts of Hornbach and Löhrbach. The two trail descriptions emphasize different things: one is a marked loop connecting named places, while the other is a natural path between two districts.

Four accessible hiking maps guide visitors through the streets of Birkenau’s central community and make it possible to discover numerous Birkenau sundials. They are mounted on house walls and found in gardens. The maps therefore combine a walk through the central community with a look at these distinctive timepieces.

The wooded Götzenstein, a mountain 521.9 meters high, lies within the boundaries of Löhrbach. A group of natural granodiorite boulders sits at its summit. Their shapes were formed by spheroidal weathering, and the rock formation is protected as a natural monument. The Birkenau mountain bike trail is another cycling option.

The wider region: Bergstraße

In the wider Bergstraße destination, gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald in Bergstraße District. Riesling is the region’s typical white grape variety, while Pinot Noir dominates among red wines. Visitors can sample Red Riesling and other Bergstraße specialties directly from producers, in wine taverns or at wine festivals. This adds a distinct regional wine and landscape perspective to Birkenau’s local history and hiking options.

The wider Bergstraße destination is also home to the Lauresham Open-Air Laboratory. Families can explore it independently with a discovery kit containing activities, puzzles and experiments. Check the opening arrangements before your visit.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Birkenau, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your holiday: would you prefer the town hall, castle and local history, or are you more drawn to the trails and nature around the Götzenstein? This decision can help you choose a destination that suits your interests before you compare suitable accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Lautertal, Gorxheimertal, Einhausen, Lorsch, Zwingenberg, Fürth, Hirschhorn am Neckar, Abtsteinach.

Back to the regional travel overview: Bergstraße.