The Storchenturm has been an unmistakable part of Gernsbach’s townscape for more than 500 years. Alongside this long history, historic buildings, outdoor art and trails through forest and moorland shape the possible focus of a trip. When planning, it is especially helpful to consider the differences between individual cultural sites, a 3.2-kilometre art trail and multi-day hiking stages.
Historic Sites and Art in Gernsbach
After renovations, a permanent exhibition was opened in the Storchenturm in 2014. The Old Town Hall is considered one of the most beautiful and art-historically significant residential buildings of its time in southern Germany. Since April 2012, its upper floors have housed the Museum of Harmony, which is run by the Jan Brauers Foundation. Gernsbach thus highlights both the history of a distinctive building and the art-historical significance of the town hall.
The tithe barns in Amtsstraße, which have survived to this day, date from 1694 and 1701. In Katz’s Garden on the banks of the Murg, you will find a historic park and numerous sculptures and works of art from past centuries. There is also a Neoclassical garden pavilion dating from 1846. The dates of the tithe barns and the garden pavilion provide specific historical reference points alongside the older buildings.
The Ortenau Wine Trail is also connected to the Old Town Hall: in 2007, it was designated as the trail’s starting point. If you would like to combine culture and wine, you can include this route connection in your travel plans.
Art Trails and Hikes on Different Scales
The Reichenbach Art Trail is a gently uphill, 3.2-kilometre hiking trail from Obertsrot-Hilpertsau to Reichental. Works by well-known artists from Baden-Württemberg and other European countries are displayed along the trail. As the artworks are on loan from the artists, how long each one remains on display may vary. Here, art and hiking go hand in hand; the trail’s length also makes it easy to compare with a much larger tour.
The Gernsbach Loop covers 43.8 kilometres around Gernsbach and is described as taking two to three days. Some steep climbs are part of its character. Along the loop, you can discover natural beauty, viewpoints and the Murg. Compared with the art trail, it is therefore the option for planning a multi-day hike rather than a single, shorter route.
Above the Gernsbach district of Lautenbach, the Lautenfelsen rock formations rise from dense forest. The landscape is characterised by ancient forests, mountain streams and distinctive flora and fauna. Gernsbach is also a gateway community to the Black Forest National Park Central/North.
Kaltenbronn: Bogs, Circular Trails and Winter Sports
The raised bog area at Kaltenbronn lies at an altitude of around 900 metres and has been a nature reserve for more than 60 years. It was the first nature reserve in Baden-Württemberg; Wildsee Bog is the largest raised bog in the Black Forest. This protected landscape differs in character from Gernsbach’s buildings and art sites, offering nature enthusiasts a distinct focus for their plans.
At Kaltenbronn, circular trails of three to nine kilometres lead around Lake Hohlohsee and Lake Wildsee. Clear hiking maps are available at the car parks. The different trail lengths offer a practical guide to choosing a route; check local trail conditions before your trip.
In winter, Kaltenbronn offers opportunities for skiing and cross-country skiing. Two ski lifts and numerous groomed cross-country trails are available for winter sports; operations are seasonal. If you plan to take part in these activities, check conditions before your visit. The Kaltenbronn trails also vary in use depending on the time of year: the circular hiking trails and winter sports offer different seasonal options.
Highlights for Your Stay
Numerous guided tours for visitors and residents are offered in Gernsbach throughout the year. Check the availability of specific dates before booking a tour. There are several themes to choose from: historic buildings and a museum, art in the garden and along the hiking trail, or nature trails at Kaltenbronn. With its two to three daily stages, the Gernsbach Loop offers a different timeframe from the shorter circular trails or the art trail.
Discover more destinations: RheinmĂĽnster, Sinzheim, Lautenbach, HĂĽgelsheim, Durmersheim, BĂĽhl, Kuppenheim, Iffezheim.
Go to the main travel overview: Rastatt.
