Herbolzheim combines a varied historic townscape with routes for walking and cycling. In the old town, half-timbered houses and townhouses tell of different periods of construction; the town hall and gatehouse each have their own history, too. The wine trail leads from the market square to Heuberg Tower, while forests and the Elz meadows offer a variety of options for cycling trips. When planning your trip, you can choose between architectural history, a visit to Bleichheim and outdoor activities.
Half-timbered houses, townhouses and industrial history
The old townscape is defined by richly detailed rural half-timbered buildings with gabled loggias and deep wine cellars dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. They are joined by Baroque townhouses with ornate portals from the Late Baroque and Early Classicist periods, between 1740 and 1800. The different architectural styles and periods give you several ways to explore Herbolzheim’s architectural history on a walking tour.
The town hall dates from the Baroque period, was remodeled in 1891 and received a Neo-Renaissance façade. The gatehouse on Hauptstraße offers a different perspective: it was formerly the residence and administrative building of the Carl Kuenzer linen mill, founded in 1834. Together, the buildings reflect both the town’s architectural development and its industrial past.
You can also discover Herbolzheim’s history in a playful way: Faustus and Clothilde bring it to life in an entertaining format. This adds another way to engage with local history alongside a look at the historic buildings.
Kirnburg Castle and the estate in Bleichheim
The ruins of Kirnburg Castle stand above Bleichheim, a district of Herbolzheim. Features dating from the 12th-century Hohenstaufen period shape the site’s historical character. The tourism office offers guided tours of the ruins for groups by prior arrangement. If you would like to plan a tour, arrange your visit in advance; no fixed schedule is specified.
Also in Bleichheim is the estate of the Counts of Kageneck, with the Herrenmühle, manor house and tithe barn dating from 1590. The garden covers 2,400 square meters and can be visited by families and, by request, by groups. Before your visit, check the estate’s website for current opening hours. This allows you to factor the visiting conditions into your plans.
Routes through vineyards, forests and the Elz meadows
The wine trail is about three kilometers long and leads from the market square to Heuberg Tower. It is well marked and features information boards; along the way, it follows a medieval route to Ettenheim. Its manageable length and the information along the route make it a good option for combining a hike with an insight into the historic connection between the towns.
For a shorter woodland outing, there is the roughly 500-meter-long, maze-like Märchen Path. Its features include numerous wooden fairy-tale figures, a climbing dragon and a troll swing. The Herbolzheim show garden offers a very different focus: it showcases old and forgotten crops, as well as a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs.
The cycling options also vary considerably. Herbolzheim’s forests offer challenging mountain bike rides, while the Elz meadows have leisurely rides across flat terrain. A more strenuous ride through Herbolzheim follows the Rhine Valley, covers 40 kilometers, takes approximately two to three hours and includes a stop for refreshments. This gives you the key details—distance, approximate duration and a break—to help plan your day.
Discover more destinations: Tutschfelden, Malterdingen, Bahlingen, Kenzingen, Waldkirch, Elzach, Riegel am Kaiserstuhl, Vörstetten.
Return to the main travel overview: Emmendingen.
