Modautal offers several distinct ways to explore the landscape on foot or by bike: local hiking trails between 12 and 21 kilometers long, sections of a 148-kilometer quality hiking trail, and a 26.5-kilometer mountain bike circuit. There are also recurring annual events. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether hiking, cycling or a particular date will be the deciding factor.

Hiking trails with different highlights

The 12-kilometer Modautal Ufer-Mundartweg is a quality hiking trail through forests and stream meadows. There is a Babbelbox at the starting point, and dialect recordings can be heard at QR code stations along the trail. This way, the route combines nature with the regional dialect. If you would like to experience this linguistic touch while hiking, the trail offers several listening stations.

At 21 kilometers, the Modautaler Weitblickweg is longer and described as challenging. Its features include panoramic views. The Modautaler Felsenweg and the Modautaler Hügelweg have different focuses: the 13.4-kilometer Felsenweg leads through forests with rock formations; it is a good idea to check local route information before setting out. The 13.5-kilometer Hügelweg passes through quiet rolling hills and tranquil villages. The two trails are similar in length, but differ in the landscapes described.

The 148-kilometer Alemannenweg quality hiking trail offers a longer-distance perspective. It runs from Michelstadt via Neunkirchen and includes scenic sections through Modautal. The 148-kilometer figure refers to the entire trail; the sections that run through Modautal are the local connection.

Mountain biking

The Mo1 mountain bike route is 26.5 kilometers long, consists of two loops and starts at the nature park car park at the entrance to Lützelbach from the direction of Brandau. It runs mainly along forest roads and trails. The elevation gain requires a reasonable level of fitness; check current local conditions before setting out. Unlike the hiking trails, the key planning considerations here are not a viewpoint or listening experience, but the combination of two loops, forest routes and elevation gain.

Events throughout the year

Neunkirchen hosts a Christmas market every year on the second weekend of Advent. The exact date depends on the calendar for that year. Another recurring event is the farmers’ market, held on the first Sunday in October on the sports field between Allertshofen and Hoxhohl. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the markets, check the specific dates and event details for the relevant year.

Modautal in the wider destination of Darmstadt-Dieburg

For regional context, it is worth looking at the wider destination of Darmstadt-Dieburg. The district encompasses the Hessian Rhine Plain and the Untermain Plain, as well as the Messel Hills, the Reinheim Hills, the Vorderer Odenwald and the Sandsteinodenwald.

Another distinctive feature of the wider destination of Darmstadt-Dieburg is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Grube Messel. This fossil site is known for its diverse, exceptionally well-preserved fossils, which document the history of the Earth 47 million years ago. The visitor center presents the history and significance of Germany’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For your stay, you can first decide what you want to focus on: the different hiking trails, the mountain bike route or an event date.

Discover more destinations: Dieburg, Bickenbach, Babenhausen, Münster, Pfungstadt, Groß-Umstadt, Roßdorf, Mühltal.

Back to the wider travel overview: Darmstadt-Dieburg.