Bechenheim combines architectural and local history with archaeological traces, as well as hiking and cycling. Highlights range from the church’s joint use to trails associated with the Vorholz. When planning, it is worth considering the different routes in terms of their course, length and historical context.
Church and local history
The historic church in Bechenheim dates from 1755. Since 1822, the building has been shared by the Protestant and Catholic congregations. The seven-metre-high roof turret was added in 1994. The earliest known mention of Bechenheim dates from 824 and is connected with a donation to Fulda Abbey. A royal estate with a farm is recorded here in 855.
Early traces include finds from the Neolithic Hinkelstein period. A Roman dwelling site near Bechenheim was discovered in 1928, in the vicinity of a cremation burial. That same year, a search for water also uncovered a pre-Roman dwelling site in the Vorholz; its precise date remains unknown. A Frankish burial ground is also interpreted as evidence of a Frankish settlement around AD 500. Two burial mounds in the Haag section of the Vorholz were opened in 1879. Vessels and stone tools were found; the remains can no longer be identified today.
Hiking and cycling
A hike on the Kneipp-Napoleon Trail on 12 September 2021 started in Bechenheim and passed through the Vorholz state forest. The route was about eight kilometres long and moderately challenging; Kappelberg and Napoleonstein were stops along the way. If you are planning your own trip, check in advance that the route and conditions are suitable at the time.
The Hiwweltour Vorholz near Offenheim opened on 16 May 2026. It is 11.9 kilometres long and passes through one of the largest forest areas in Rheinhessen. Its features include shady paths, historic traces and views across the hilly landscape. At the start of the Hiwweltour, next to the Vorholz forester’s lodge, there is a Kneipp treading pool where you can enjoy water treading and relax after your hike. The offer period runs from 7 January 2026 to 7 January 2030; check access information before your visit.
The Vorholz Loop is a cycling tour of about 18 kilometres. It runs via Nack, Erbes-Büdesheim, Offenheim, Bechenheim and Nieder-Wiesen, returning to Nack. The loop is considered challenging, crosses hills and valleys, and skirts the Vorholz forest. The views at the forest’s edge are considered the most beautiful on the route. The Vorholz Loop is a suggested route; check current trail conditions before setting off.
Kneipp garden and regional context
The Kneipp garden offers another attraction in the form of its barefoot spiral. A pavilion and benches invite visitors to linger and relax. Alongside the longer routes, there is also a place to take a quieter break.
The Museum of the City of Alzey provides a broader cultural and historical context within the wider travel destination of Alzey-Worms. Its prehistoric and early historic exhibition traces the development of inner Rheinhessen from the Neolithic period to the Merovingian era, documenting more than 6,000 years. Another exhibition focuses on the geology and palaeontology of the Mainz Basin. Minerals, particularly fossils, illustrate how it developed over millions of years.
Discover more destinations: Gau-Odernheim, Kettenheim, Offenheim, Nieder-Wiesen, Flonheim, Erbes-BĂĽdesheim, Gau-Heppenheim, Freimersheim.
To the overview of the wider travel destination: Alzey.
