Euerdorf combines geological traces and local history with hiking trails and experiences along the Saale. The dinosaur tracks are particularly striking: they make the history of the Earth visible at the actual site where they were found. There are also paths through vineyards and forests, as well as a themed trail with stations covering different geological periods. You can shape your stay around geological, cultural or scenic interests.

Dinosaur Tracks and Rock Layers

The “Euerdorf Dinosaur Tracks” geotope was named one of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes by the Bavarian Environment Agency. Nowhere else in Bavaria can the tracks be seen across such a large area at the discovery site. Nearby, the Karwinkel outcrop reveals rock layers up to 250 million years old on the slope of the Saale Valley. The area therefore offers different points of geological interest: the dinosaur tracks at the geotope and the exposed layers at Karwinkel.

The geotope can be reached via both the Euerdorf Circular Hiking Trail and the “Path Through Time” hiking trail and Geological Adventure Trail between Bad Kissingen and Euerdorf. Along the Path Through Time, the geotope is 3.75 kilometres past the Wichtel Caves. There, dinosaurs left their footprints in the soft ground.

Hiking Trails with Different Focuses

The Path Through Time is an easy, 7.5-kilometre hiking route that mostly follows forest and meadow paths to the Terra Triassica Museum in Euerdorf. At eleven stations, information boards explain the flora and fauna of the respective geological periods over the past 477 million years. The trail begins outside Euerdorf and leads to the museum; details about its length, route and stations help you distinguish this themed trail from the other routes in the area.

Another way to explore Euerdorf’s past is to follow a signposted circular walk through the town’s different historical periods. The “Wine & Stone” Panorama Trail focuses on the landscape: it starts in Euerdorf right next to the church at the Terra Triassica Museum and passes through vineyards and forests and by points of interest. You can choose from a geological adventure trail, a signposted town walk and a panorama trail, each with a different theme.

Museum, Church and Gate Tower

The Terra Triassica Museum is housed in the former hunting lodge of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg, built in 1598. The “Wine & Stone” Panorama Trail starts at the museum, at Gerichtsgasse 22, right next to the Catholic parish church of St. John the Baptist. The church once served as a fortified church. This brings architectural history and routes through the landscape together in a small area.

The three-storey gate tower is another striking historic building in Euerdorf. It forms part of the late-medieval fortifications and is also known as the “gatehouse” because there is an apartment inside. Its stepped gables and a small late-Gothic sandstone relief on the exterior are distinctive features. Together with the former fortified church and former hunting lodge, the gate tower offers several tangible points of interest on the town walk for discovering Euerdorf’s history.

The Saale and the Wine-Growing Village of Wirmsthal

The Saale is also part of the surrounding landscape: the natural Saale meadows and riverbanks around Euerdorf are habitats for many animal and plant species. The Kneipp pool, meanwhile, is located near the Old Saale Bridge, right beside the river, and is fed by fresh Saale water. There is also a launching and landing point at the Old Saale Bridge, where a river trip can begin or end. This gives you different ways to include the Saale in your travel plans.

The market town of Euerdorf also includes the district of Wirmsthal. It is the northernmost wine-growing village in the Franconian wine region. The favourable climate and Triassic soils produce characterful Franconian wines such as Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau, Bacchus and Domina. Wirmsthal adds a focus on wine-growing to the picture of Euerdorf and its surrounding area.

Discover more destinations: Wartmannsroth, Oerlenbach, Elfershausen, Oberthulba, Hammelburg, Bad Kissingen, Schondra, Münnerstadt

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