In Kandel, trails through the Bienwald Forest and historical discoveries in town go hand in hand. The foothills of the Southern Palatinate vineyards frame the town to the west, and the Bienwald Forest lies to the north and east. When planning, you can choose between longer walks in the floodplain forest, a tour through the town’s history and cycling routes on a signposted network of trails.

Hiking and Cycling around Kandel

The largely flat floodplain forest around Kandel is ideal for exploring on extended walks. One option is Loop Trail 2: This approximately five-kilometre loop starts at the Kandel Naturfreundehaus in the Bienwald Forest. The trails are flat, the route has no climbs and is considered suitable even for inexperienced hikers. Along the way, you can experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Bienwald Forest. Check current route information about the distance and starting point before setting out.

Loop Trail 2 also passes through the adventure park. From April onwards, you can watch climbers there, so this seasonal feature is especially worth including in a visit from that time onwards. Check the local information before your tour.

Kandel is also a starting point for cycling tours: Several routes use a network of signposted cycle paths and cycle touring routes. As the route network and signage may change, it is worth checking the latest information. The Bienwaldregion Kandel tourism office offers leisure tips, cycling and hiking maps, and event calendars; check the current offerings before your trip.

Local History and Culture

If you prefer local history to a longer walk in the forest, you can take the 1.9-kilometre historic town tour. It is shorter than Loop Trail 2 and has a different focus: this tour is about Kandel and its history, while the other follows trails through the Bienwald Forest. The different route lengths can help you choose, without implying a particular walking time.

Among Kandel’s historic landmarks is the town hall, a Baroque building constructed between 1773 and 1783. St. George’s Church was used as a simultaneous church by different denominations from 1684 to 1958. The half-timbered house in Turmgasse formerly served as a residence for a Protestant deacon and teacher; it was probably built in the first half of the 18th century. These buildings point to different chapters in the town’s history, from the Baroque period to its former use by the Protestant community.

The European Culture Park at Schwanenweiher offers a different kind of cultural walk: sandstone and wooden sculptures line its paths. A historical event from 18th-century Kandel is also precisely dated: On 16 February 1722, the government of Palatinate-Zweibrücken granted Philipp Nikolaus Leuchsenring the privilege to operate a pharmacy in Kandel.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Freckenfeld, Neupotz, Winden, Rülzheim, Jockgrim, Wörth Am Rhein, Hördt, Minfeld.

Go to the main travel overview: Germersheim.