Hop cultivation in Tettnang offers several distinct ways to explore: the Hop Trail brings it to life as part of the cultural landscape and its history, while the protected geographical indication highlights the product’s origin. The castles add another distinct cultural focus. When planning, you can choose between a walk, a longer cycling tour, and themes related to the city’s history.
Hop Trail through the Cultural Landscape
The approximately eight-kilometre Hop Trail circular route connects Tettnang town centre with Siggenweiler and illustrates the importance of hop cultivation to Tettnang and the region. It passes through a cultural landscape of hop gardens, orchards, hamlets and isolated farmsteads. The route includes eleven stops and three rest areas with viewpoints. The information covers the history of hop cultivation in Tettnang and changes in agriculture.
At the highest point of the Hop Trail near Dieglisweiler, visitors can learn which factors influence the flowering of Tettnang hops. From there, you can look out over the Alps and Lake Constance. The circular route is suitable for outings with a pushchair. Families with small children are advised to take the paved alternative route via Bernau instead of the nature trail over Brünnensweiler Höhe. As trail conditions are important when planning, check them again locally before setting out.
A Longer Cycling Loop
Those who prefer to travel by bike can take the signposted, moderately difficult Tettnang Hop Loop, a 34-kilometre cycling circuit. It runs from the Lake Constance Cycle Path up to the high ground behind Tettnang and can be started in Tettnang, Eriskirch, Langenargen or Kressbronn am Bodensee. Compared with the approximately eight-kilometre Hop Trail, it is considerably longer and rated as moderately difficult. The two routes therefore differ both in length and in how you travel: the Hop Trail leads to stops relating to hop cultivation, while the Hop Loop is a longer cycling tour with several possible starting points.
Castle History and City Tours
Themed tours at the New Palace and in Tettnang explore various aspects of aristocratic and bourgeois life. Alongside the New Palace, the Gate Castle is one of Tettnang’s landmarks. The roof structures of the Gate Castle and the Gate Tower date from the 16th century; the Holy Cross Chapel was added in 1578. The rooms on the second and third upper floors of the Gate Castle are richly decorated with paintings. For culture enthusiasts, tour topics about social life are complemented by specific architectural details.
Hop Origins and Processing
In 2010, the European Commission recognised Tettnang hops as a protected geographical indication (PGI). This recognition adds the product’s designation of origin to the topics relating to the history of cultivation. At Hopfengut No20 in Siggenweiler, visitors can see the Wolf WSZ550 hop-picking machine up close and learn more about the picking process. As programme details may change, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.
Discover more destinations: Uhldingen-MĂĽhlhofen, Neukirch, Meersburg, Sipplingen, Beuren, Bodman-Ludwigshafen, Eriskirch, Kressbronn am Bodensee
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