Seven floors in the Fool’s Museum in the Niggelturm are devoted to Gengenbach’s Fasend carnival and its history. Together with the historic old town, they offer two distinct ways to experience the city: the tradition preserved in the museum and the architectural character outdoors, shaped by towers, gates, narrow lanes, the market square fountain and numerous half-timbered houses. The entire city centre has been a protected historic monument since 1955.
Old Town, Tours and Advent
Guided tours of the historic old town, museum tours and themed tours with wine tasting can be booked in Gengenbach. Dates and availability may vary. If you plan to take a tour, check the specific dates before your trip.
The public tours led by Gengenbach’s night watchmen also offer a clearly defined cultural programme within the wider Ortenaukreis destination: they are free of charge, no registration is required, and the tour includes 12 stops and the traditional night watchman’s song. Check the dates in advance if you would like to include the tour in your stay.
Advent plays a special role: since 1996, the town hall, with its 24 windows, has been transformed into what is described as the world’s largest Advent calendar house. Dates and the display may vary. If you visit Gengenbach at this time of year, take the specific arrangements and dates for your stay into account.
Hiking and Cycling around Gengenbach
There are hiking opportunities around Gengenbach on the Kandelhöhenweg, the Jakobusweg, the Querweg and numerous circular trails in the Gengenbach area. The “Himmel & Hölle” enjoyable trail offers a more clearly defined time commitment: this moderately difficult circular hike starts and ends in Gengenbach’s old town. It covers 17.2 kilometres and is listed as taking 5 hours 45 minutes; the route profile shows an ascent of 676 metres and a descent of 677 metres. This makes it possible to weigh up duration, distance and elevation profile together when planning your day.
The Moosgebirge hills near Gengenbach offer another point of reference in the landscape, rising to just under 900 metres. Hikers and mountain bikers must tackle more than 700 metres of elevation gain here. Cycling routes from Gengenbach also lead into the side valleys and the Rhine plain. This gives you a choice of hiking routes, elevation gains and cycling tours across a range of landscapes for your time outdoors.
More Things to Do in the City
The GengenBahn takes you on a sightseeing tour of Gengenbach, passing historic sights, half-timbered houses, winding lanes and idyllic countryside. The “Die Insel” leisure pool at Grünstraße 65 adds a water-based option. It has six pools, including a giant slide, a current channel, a 50-metre swimming pool and a children’s paddling pool.
The Wider Area: Ortenaukreis
The wider destination of Ortenaukreis lies between the Rhine and the Black Forest. At district level, there are 23 nature reserves covering a total area of around 3,110 hectares. They extend from the Rhine plain to the higher elevations of the Black Forest. This regional setting complements the specific impressions of Gengenbach: its protected city centre, the Fasend carnival museum and the opportunities for hiking and cycling.
Discover more destinations: Willstätt, Sasbachwalden, Oberharmersbach, Schutterwald, Kappel-Grafenhausen, Neuried, Offenburg, Fischerbach.
View the wider travel guide: Ortenaukreis.
