Lautertal (Odenwald)
Accommodation in Lautertal
A 34-metre-high tower, a bird island in the Striethteich pond, and hiking trails between viewpoints and hilltops give Lautertal (Odenwald) its own distinctive character. You can explore the landscape with different focuses: enjoy sweeping views of the Odenwald, choose trails of varying lengths, or discover nature and cultural themes around the Felsenmeer. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can start by considering which of these experiences you want to shape your days away.
Kaiserturm, Krehberg and sweeping views
The Kaiserturm stands on Neunkirchener Höhe, the highest point in Lautertal. The 34-metre-high tower was built of stone in 1906/07 and commemorates Kaiser Wilhelm I; it was preceded by a wooden tower. This transition from a wooden predecessor to a stone structure brings the history of this striking landmark to life. Anyone interested in architectural history and local heritage will find a special point of reference in the landscape here.
At Krehberg, between Seidenbuch and Schannenbach, several viewpoints and numerous hiking trails of varying lengths are part of the landscape. The different trail lengths offer a different way to plan your outing than the history of the Kaiserturm: you can focus on shorter or longer hikes when planning your trip. From Seidenbacher Eck, sweeping views across the Odenwald extend from northeast to southwest. Alongside the individual landmark, this makes the wider landscape itself a distinct focus for an outing.
Striethteich: waterbirds, a mill model and a pond festival
The Striethteich pond lies between Elmshausen and the “Selterswasserhäuschen.” Numerous waterbirds have an island of their own there. A water-powered model of the Deichertsmühle mill also stands on the shore. Nature watching and a mill model come together in one place, making the pond a destination in its own right, distinct from the hilltops and viewpoints.
The “Roter Strich” hiking trail passes through Elmshausen by the Striethteich and climbs to the ridge between Felsberg and Amalienhöhe. Its route links the pond with a subsequent stretch along the heights. The pond festival takes place at the Striethteich every year on Father’s Day. If you want to time your stay around the festival, check the event date before travelling.
Hiking with different route information
The digital 12-Dörfer circular hiking trail in Lautertal is 41.32 kilometres long and passes through all of Lautertal’s districts. It is digital and is not marked on the ground. Its digital route is therefore part of what you need to use for navigation when planning the hike. This distinguishes the circular trail from the shorter and longer routes at Krehberg, for which no single total distance is given.
On the Felsenmeer circular trail L1, the steepest climb is between Kuralpe and the summit of Felsberg, where the Ohlyturm stands. The two trails therefore highlight different information: the 12-Dörfer circular trail has a stated total distance and route through the districts, while the L1 specifies the section with the steepest climb. When planning hiking days, you can compare these details with the type of hike you want to take.
Geology and history at the Felsenmeer
The Felsenmeer Information Centre offers guided tours on the geological formation of the Felsenmeer. Visitors can also learn there about the formation of the Felsenmeer, the work of Roman stonemasons 1,700 years ago and in more recent times, the Siegfriedsquelle spring, and the Bergstraße-Odenwald Geo-Nature Park. The topics range from geology and history to regional nature and cultural heritage. The Information Centre thus complements the hiking trails and landscape experiences with an explanatory perspective.
The right base for your days away
Whether your focus is the view from Seidenbacher Eck, the trails at Krehberg, the Striethteich or the Felsenmeer’s geological and historical themes, these interests create different priorities for your time in Lautertal. When looking for a holiday apartment, it is worth comparing the specific location of a property with the places you want to visit.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Lautern, Gadernheim, Lindenfels, Viernheim, Mörlenbach, Biblis, Birkenau, Lorsch.
Back to the main travel overview: Bergstraße.
