At the confluence of the Wilde Gutach and the Elz, Gutach im Breisgau’s location already reveals its defining connection to water. Villas and Art Nouveau buildings along the Elz continue to shape the townscape today. This gives your travel plans a tangible connection to the landscape alongside architecture you can discover further on the architecture trail.
Local history and architecture
A more recent chapter in Gutach’s history is the establishment of Gütermann sewing silk, which brought prosperity to the town more than 100 years ago. This adds to the picture shaped by the villas and Art Nouveau buildings along the Elz: you can get to know Gutach through both its architectural styles and its economic development.
The architecture trail through Gutach im Breisgau takes you through 500 years of architectural history. It is rated easy, is 3.71 kilometres long and takes one hour. Stops include St. George’s Church, whose choir dates back to 1514. At the Sonnenensemble Bleibach stop, the programme includes a visit to an inner courtyard followed by a light meal with drinks, as well as a tasting of fruit brandies from the Elztalbrennerei distillery. The trail thus brings together ecclesiastical architectural history and a visit featuring regional products.
A distinct cultural and historical attraction in Bleibach is the Dance of Death in the ossuary chapel, dating from 1723. In tourist guides, it is described as the only fully preserved Dance of Death in southern Germany and one of the few surviving examples in Europe. The dates 1514 and 1723 offer a specific point of comparison between the choir of St. George’s Church and the Dance of Death.
Hiking, cycling and experiencing the forest
The Elztal cycle route passes through Gutach and Bleibach. The route is around 29 kilometres long, runs mostly on paved paths and is considered suitable for families and less experienced cyclists. If you are considering a longer hike in stages instead of a cycling route, the ZweiTälersteig offers a different scale: this certified quality hiking trail consists of five stages and covers 106 kilometres, circling all seven towns in the ZweiTälerLand region.
Another offering with its own focus is the Hörnleberg Forest Adventure Trail. Designed for families, it teaches visitors about the forest. The activities therefore differ not only in how you get around: the cycle route focuses on distance and paved paths, the ZweiTälersteig on its five stages, and the forest adventure trail on learning about the forest. This information can help you choose the type of activity you want for your stay, without combining all the offerings into a single itinerary.
Golf in park-like surroundings
Golf is another activity available in Gutach. The traditional nine-hole golf course has been around for more than 100 years and is set in a park landscape with old villas, lakes, streams and mature trees. It offers a different way to spend time outdoors than the cycling and hiking trails, while also fitting into the town’s history, shaped by villas and waterways.
Discover more destinations: Teningen, Freiamt, Winden im Elztal, Wyhl am Kaiserstuhl, Weisweil, Bahlingen, Waldkirch, Sasbach am Kaiserstuhl.
Go to the main travel overview: Emmendingen.
