Lautertal (Odenwald) can be explored through a range of themes: viewpoints and hiking trails on Krehberg, waterbirds at Striethteich, and the Kaiserturm on Neunkirchener Höhe each offer something different. The Felsenmeer Information Centre also brings together local nature themes and historical content. When planning your stay, it is worth considering trail lengths, individual viewpoints, and the different themes at the pond and the Felsenmeer separately.
Views and Hiking Trails
Krehberg lies between Seidenbuch and Schannenbach and has several viewpoints, as well as shorter and longer hiking trails. From Seidenbacher Eck, the panoramic view stretches across the Odenwald from northeast to southwest. Another option is the digital 12-Dörfer circular hiking trail in Lautertal: it is 41.32 kilometres long, passes through all Lautertal districts, and is not marked on the ground. This gives you a choice between trails of several lengths on Krehberg and a circular route of a fixed length.
The “Roter Strich” hiking trail passes through Elmshausen, by Striethteich, and climbs to the heights between Felsberg and Amalienhöhe. Unlike the circular trail through all the districts, this route specifies particular intermediate points and a destination in the uplands.
Striethteich: Birdlife and a Mill Model
Striethteich lies between Elmshausen and the “Selterswasserhäuschen”. Numerous waterbirds have their own island there. A water-powered model of Deichertsmühle also stands on the shore. The pond therefore brings together two themes: birdlife and the milling technology illustrated by the model. The pond festival takes place at Striethteich every year on Father’s Day. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the latest event details in advance.
Kaiserturm and Felsenmeer
Kaiserturm stands on Neunkirchener Höhe, the highest point in Lautertal. It commemorates Kaiser Wilhelm I and was built of stone in 1906/07; it was preceded by a wooden tower. The tower is 34 metres high. Its topographical location and building history provide two different ways to explore Lautertal.
The Felsenmeer Information Centre offers guided tours about the geological formation of the Felsenmeer; bookings can be made through the centre. Visitors can learn about the formation of the Felsenmeer, the work of Roman stonemasons 1,700 years ago and in more recent times, the Siegfriedsquelle spring, and the Bergstraße-Odenwald UNESCO Global Geopark. A specific route detail adds to this theme: the steepest section of the Felsenmeer circular trail L1 lies between Kuralpe and the summit of Felsberg, where Ohlyturm stands.
More to Explore in the Wider Bergstraße Destination
In the wider Bergstraße destination, gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald. The “Wein & Stein” experience trail in Heppenheim is about 6.9 kilometres long and has around 70 information stations. The annual autumn hike on the trail takes place on 3 October from 10:00 to 18:00; along the route, hikers can enjoy wines and food at five stations in the vineyards. Check the latest event details before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Gadernheim, Lautern, Zwingenberg, Fürth, Einhausen, Heppenheim, Lorsch, Bürstadt.
To the wider travel overview: Bergstraße.
