Grenzach-Wyhlen brings together distinctive natural features, archaeological traces and a history of viticulture. The boxwood forest is known for its remarkable plant life, while the remains of the fort and the Historic Wine Press offer different highlights. The area also has trails in a variety of formats—from walking and hiking trails to long-distance routes with designated stages and walking times.
Boxwood Forest and Protected Landscape
The boxwood forest of Grenzach-Wyhlen is one of the oldest and last wild-growing sites of evergreen boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) in Germany. Nowhere else in Germany does boxwood grow in such dense and extensive stands; the plants can grow to over four metres tall. At the same time, the stands continue to be damaged by a fungal disease and the box tree moth.
The 720-hectare Wälder bei Wyhlen area extends across Grenzach-Wyhlen, Rheinfelden and Inzlingen. It includes, among others, the Leuengraben, Buchswald bei Grenzach, Ruschbachtal and Altrhein Wyhlen nature reserves. The boxwood forest and the adjacent Dinkelberg plateau offer numerous hiking and walking trails. This means the natural attractions range from a stroll to a larger landscape, without all the trails necessarily forming part of the same route.
Walking Trails and Long-Distance Routes
One longer tour is the Rheinuferrundweg Hochrhein: the circular trail is 72.7 kilometres long, has four stages and a total walking time of around 18.5 hours. Its difficulty level is easy to moderate. The route runs from Grenzach-Wyhlen and Kaiseraugst to Bad Säckingen and Stein and is part of the Rheinliebe route.
The Markgräfler Wiiwegli has a different focus. It connects Grenzach-Wyhlen or Weil am Rhein with Freiburg over more than 92 kilometres. This distinction is useful for planning: for the Rheinuferrundweg, the circular route, stages and approximate total walking time are specified; the Wiiwegli is described as a connection to Freiburg. The two routes therefore represent different formats.
The Fort and the History of Viticulture
The Late Antique bridgehead fort is located on the boundary between the municipal districts of Wyhlen and Herten. Excavations in 1886, 1889 and 1935/36 uncovered remains of three round towers. The walls were about two metres thick and in some places survived to a height of up to 90 centimetres. The tower remains stand directly on the edge of the high riverbank; no connecting walls could be identified. These finds give the fort a distinctive archaeological profile.
In Grenzach, the Historic Wine Press, a notable cultural monument, reflects the former importance of viticulture and documents the close connection with the city of Basel. Alongside the natural trails, the region’s history and its winemaking tradition are therefore available as separate themes to explore.
Culture in the Wider Destination of Lörrach
The wider destination of Lörrach offers further, distinct cultural attractions. Lörrach lies in the southwest of Baden-Württemberg, in the Markgräflerland region, directly on the Swiss border and close to the neighbouring city of Basel. The Dreiländermuseum Lörrach has a permanent exhibition covering around 1,000 square metres. The Lörrach sculpture trail runs through the city and features 23 sculptures, fountains and monuments created by renowned sculptors.
The Burghof Lörrach’s cultural programme also spans several disciplines: singing and music, dance, cabaret, literature and children’s theatre. Burghof Lörrach GmbH organises the international STIMMEN Festival each year. The museum, sculpture trail and stage programme thus offer different cultural formats within the wider destination of Lörrach.
The routes described differ considerably in length and format; the information provided offers a concrete starting point for your planning.
Discover more destinations: Schwörstadt, Efringen-Kirchen, Häg-Ehrsberg, Schallbach, Schopfheim, Schönau Im Schwarzwald, Kandern, Rheinfelden
Back to the wider travel overview: Lörrach.
