An exceptional archaeological monument, a cultural cycle route with 16 stops and a bridge over the Main for pedestrians and cyclists give Mainhausen a distinctive profile for a trip focused on culture and cycling. The places and themes operate on different scales: Zellhügel is a special site in the region’s early settlement history, while the cultural cycle route connects several communities.
Zellhausen and ZellhĂĽgel
Zellhügel is located within the district of Mainhausen-Zellhausen. It is an exceptional archaeological monument and one of the most significant early medieval settlement sites in the Rhine-Main region. Anyone interested in the history of the place will find here a striking connection to the region’s early settlement. Käthe Paulus was also born in Zellhausen: her birthplace is the 13th stop on the Kurmainzer Herz cultural cycle route.
The route connects Seligenstadt, Karlstein and Mainhausen via 16 stops over approximately 35 kilometres and is designed as a day trip. Its stops highlight different themes rather than focusing on just one. In Mainhausen, they include Kilianus Bridge as the seventh stop, the Mainflingen riverbank as the eighth, the Bongsche Tongrube clay pit as the tenth, Häuser Schlösschen as the eleventh and the Mainflingen broadcasting station as the twelfth stop. The numbers help place these locations along the route as a whole; the approximate distance and day-trip format also provide a framework for planning.
Bridge and cycle routes along the Main
Since 1989, Kilianus Bridge has connected Mainflingen in Hesse with Dettingen in Bavaria. The bridge, for pedestrians and cyclists, replaced an earlier ferry crossing over the Main. Its role as the seventh stop links it to the Kurmainzer Herz route; the Mainflingen riverbank follows as the eighth stop. Thus, the cultural route features both a crossing over the river and a riverside location, without making them the same excursion destination.
Another route is the Main Cycle Route. It was officially opened in July 2006 and passes through Mainhausen along its entire 530-kilometre length from Bayreuth to Mainz. This distinction is useful for planning a trip: the Kurmainzer Herz cultural cycle route is described as a day trip with 16 stops and a distance of around 35 kilometres; the Main Cycle Route is a much longer connection between two cities. The wider Offenbach travel destination also includes Mainhausen, Seligenstadt, Hainburg and MĂĽhlheim on the Main Cycle Route along the Hesse section of the Lower Main. The route follows the Main from its sources to its mouth through Franconian and Hessian landscapes.
More excursions in the wider Offenbach travel destination
If you include Mainhausen in a longer stay in the wider Offenbach travel destination, you’ll find further themes that are explicitly outside the local offering. In Seligenstadt, the Einhard Basilica is considered one of the most significant churches of the Carolingian period on German soil and is now a landmark of the town. The RegioMuseum covers, among other things, prehistory and early history, folk culture, arts and crafts, and painting and sculpture from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The history of the town and abbey is also among its themes. The Palatium on the Main dates from the Hohenstaufen period; it was probably built by Emperor Barbarossa as a hunting lodge.
In Seligenstadt, a guided walk called “In die Sommerfrische” (“A Summer Retreat”) is described as being about 3.5 kilometres long. It leads from the monastery along the Main to the moated castle and introduces the history of the former Benedictine abbey. As the tour can be booked, it is advisable to check availability before travelling. A free walking tour, “Stolpersteine” (“Stumbling Stones”), offers a different way to explore local history: it starts at the Jewish cemetery and follows selected Stolpersteine to sites and stories from the lives of Seligenstadt’s Jewish residents.
Longer routes are also part of the offering in the wider Offenbach travel destination. The 60-kilometre Einhardweg between Seligenstadt and Michelstadt is marked with a white “E” on a red background and can be hiked in either direction. The Regionalpark circular route connects orchards and wetlands with artworks, historic landmarks, viewpoints and play areas along a total of 190 kilometres; sections can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The Rodau nature trail has a different focus: twelve information boards cover nature in, along and around the Rodau, including fish, small animals, birds and plants, as well as successes in nature conservation.
Culture, landscape and regional cuisine
Culinary discoveries are also part of the wider Offenbach travel destination. Along the Offenbach City and District regional loop of the Hessian Apple Wine and Orchard Route, eateries serve Hessian specialities; apple wine in a ribbed glass is typical of Hesse. This makes it easy to tailor your stay to your interests: Mainhausen offers a connection to ZellhĂĽgel, the riverbank and two cycle routes that differ greatly in length. Seligenstadt adds churches and abbey history, museum visits, guided walks and regional cuisine to the wider regional picture.
At Zellhausen airfield, the LSV Seligenstadt-Zellhausen e. V. offers gliding, ultralight aviation and powered flight. As these offerings may change, check the club’s latest information before travelling. Alongside cultural history and routes, various branches of air sports therefore feature in Mainhausen’s thematic profile, without implying anything about visitor access or specific flight options.
Discover more destinations: Zellhausen, Dietzenbach, Rödermark, Dreieich, Heusenstamm, Langen, Neu Isenburg, Seligenstadt
Go to the wider travel overview: Offenbach.
