Darmstadt-Dieburg: Landscapes, Trails and Fossils

Between the Rhine Plain and the Odenwald, wide-open landscapes, protected natural areas and special cultural destinations alternate. Darmstadt-Dieburg is therefore a destination for a variety of holiday experiences: you can explore trails on foot or by bike, learn about the fossil history of the Messel Pit and discover historic sites. When choosing your holiday apartment, it is worth first considering which of these experiences you want to focus on during your trip.

Landscapes between the Plain and the Odenwald

The district includes the Hessian Rhine Plain and the Lower Main Plain, as well as the Messel and Reinheim hill country. It also encompasses the Vorderer Odenwald and the Sandstone Odenwald. The Bergstraße forms the striking transition between the Rhine Plain and the Odenwald. These varied landscapes give the region its mix of plains, rolling hills and Odenwald scenery.

The nature reserves also reveal different sides of the surrounding area. Reinheimer Teich Nature Reserve lies in the northwestern foothills of the Odenwald and is surrounded by meadows and fields. A circular trail runs through the area, which can also be enjoyed from numerous benches. In Pfungstädter Moor Nature Reserve, three separate areas cover around 103 hectares. It can be explored on designated paths. If you like to set aside time in nature when planning your trip, these offer two different ways to experience the landscape: at Reinheimer Teich on a circular trail and from benches, and in Pfungstädter Moor on its designated paths.

Cycling and Hiking

A large network of well-marked trails offers opportunities for hiking, walking and Nordic walking. For a bike ride, there are themed routes along the small rivers Modau and Gersprenz, as well as the Leisure Cycling Route and the Family Cycling Route. The Family Cycling Route runs from Erzhausen to Seeheim-Jugenheim and is about 40 kilometres long. This approximate distance helps you fit the ride into your day’s plans; it describes the length of the route, not a specific travel time.

This lets you shape your stay around the mix of activities you want: shorter nature experiences on a circular trail or designated paths sit alongside marked hiking and walking trails and longer bike rides. You can choose accommodation to suit the focus of your trip, whether that means days on the bike, hikes or visits to cultural attractions.

Discover Fossils and History

The Messel Pit UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fossil deposit containing a diverse and uniquely preserved collection of fossils. They document the history of Earth’s development 47 million years ago. The visitor centre explains the history and significance of the pit. A visit therefore combines an insight into Earth’s history with a specific place whose fossils reveal a period from the distant past.

Historic buildings also tell the story of the region’s past. Groß-Umstadt’s Darmstadt Castle originated as a former moated castle and was expanded into a residence in the late Middle Ages. It was one of the seven former noble estates of Groß-Umstadt. Frankenstein Castle in the Odenwald is a popular excursion destination and a starting point for hikes. The castle offers views across the Rhine Plain and the city of Darmstadt. East of Seeheim, Tannenberg Castle Ruins stand on a spur of the Odenwald about 200 m high; from there, the view stretches across the Bergstraße and the Rhine Valley.

The Gruberhof Museum presents a wide-ranging exhibition on agriculture and crafts; events are also held there throughout the year. Reinheim Railway Signal Box was built in 1896 and served railway operations on the Odenwald Railway for many years. When it is open to visitors, the historic signalling equipment is demonstrated.

Guided Tours and Local Places

A variety of group tours are offered in Groß-Umstadt. From January to December, the town offers tours of the Kleine Bergstraße. From September to October, Rainer Bausch leads group tours on the theme of fruit and wine in autumn, which include a wine tasting. If you are interested in regional topics, these tours can add a distinctive element alongside nature trails, cycling routes and historic attractions.

For further orientation within the district: Ober-Ramstadt, Groß-Bieberau, Otzberg, Bickenbach, Weiterstadt, Mühltal, Roßdorf, Reinheim, Messel, Groß-Umstadt, Griesheim, Darmstadt, Babenhausen, Erzhausen, Modautal, Groß-Zimmern, Münster, Dieburg, Pfungstadt, Alsbach-Hähnlein, Seeheim-Jugenheim and Fischbachtal.

For the broader travel overview: Hesse.