The approximately 8 km-long Unterm Herrnbild Cultural Trail explores three distinct cultural themes: the pilgrimage church in Hessenthal, cultural monuments associated with centuries-old strip farms and Mespelbrunn Castle. The trail starts at the Haus des Gastes and the Maximilian Kolbe Church in the modern part of Mespelbrunn, and ends back in Mespelbrunn.

Church, Document and Castle

The old pilgrimage church in Hessenthal was built in 1439 by the Echter family of Mespelbrunn as their burial place. On the cultural trail, it is paired with cultural monuments associated with centuries-old strip farms, bringing church history and cultural history together on the same route. Another historical trace is a document issued in 1293, which granted episcopal indulgences to the Church of the Glorious Virgin Mary in Hesilndal.

Mespelbrunn Castle is now partly a museum and partly the residence of the Counts of Ingelheim family, known as Echter von und zu Mespelbrunn. This shared use is part of the castle’s present-day character. If visiting the museum is important to your travel plans, check the current visiting arrangements in advance.

E-bike planning

There are three e-bike charging stations in Mespelbrunn. As visitor services can change, check locally before setting out to see which stations are currently available.

Cycling and hiking in the wider Aschaffenburg destination

The wider Aschaffenburg destination offers a range of cycling options. The family-friendly MainRadweg runs through the Main Valley in Aschaffenburg district and is well signposted. The also-signposted Kahltal-Spessart cycle route passes through the district’s scenic landscapes. In the eastern Hochspessart area of the district, four challenging cross-country routes are signposted as Bikewald-Spessart routes. The Denk mal – Rad mal app offers cycling excursions in nature, with stories, quizzes and information about local sights. Before setting out, check the signposting and trail conditions; you should also check the availability of digital content and the app in advance.

For hikers, the Spessartwege 1, 2 and 3 trails cross Aschaffenburg district; they have been awarded the Wanderbares Deutschland quality trail designation four times by the German Hiking Association. The Eselsweg is a multi-day tour in the district. There are also more than 30 cultural trail hikes by the Archaeological Spessart Project. Together, these provide a range of regional options: award-winning trails, a multi-day tour and numerous cultural trail hikes.

The wider Aschaffenburg destination also offers culinary experiences: numerous inns and hotels in Aschaffenburg district serve Franconian specialities and Äppelwoi from local cider presses. Aschaffenburg’s train station is served by regional trains, Regional-Express trains, InterCity trains and InterCityExpress trains. Schlossplatz and Johannisburg Castle are less than a ten-minute walk from the station. Guided tours of Aschaffenburg’s old town and the Schönbusch English landscape park are adapted to the needs of people with reduced mobility; check the current availability of tours in advance.

Discover more destinations: Heimbuchenthal, Dammbach, Schöllkrippen, Wiesen, Laufach, Johannesberg, Großostheim, Kleinkahl

Back to the wider travel overview: Aschaffenburg.