Laufach: Cultural Routes and Railway History

Laufach combines cultural routes and railway history with opportunities for active days outdoors. In Frohnhofen, trails lead to sites from the 19th century; at the Eisenbahnerlebnis Spessartrampe leisure area, the history of the railway takes centre stage. There are also cycling and hiking trails, as well as play and sports facilities. To plan your trip, first consider whether you mainly want to explore historic sites or spend time cycling and outdoors.

Cultural Routes and Railway History

The “Revolution and Civil War” European Cultural Route leads to sites from 19th-century history in Frohnhofen. The marked trail passes the “1849 Assembly Meadow” and follows the railway line to Hofgut Wendelstein. Its stops also include the memorials to the fallen Hessian soldiers, just behind the “Old Brewery” in Frohnhofen. Along the way, you will encounter both the history of the revolution and the civil war, and tangible places and memorials.

The 14-kilometre “Spessartrampe” European Cultural Route begins at Laufach railway station and follows the railway line to Heigenbrücken stop. It offers insights into how the landscape around the uphill railway section has changed, and into the changes brought to the Laufach valley by the railway. The preserved portal of the Schwarzkopf Tunnel on the Laufach side is one of the stops along this cultural route. In 2018, Laufach street artist Max Hasenstab created graffiti there depicting a steam locomotive and a man with a speech bubble.

The railway’s history can also be explored from a different perspective at the Eisenbahnerlebnis Spessartrampe leisure area: a former Deutsche Bahn local train carriage serves as an information centre. Topics range from the construction of the Spessartrampe around 160 years ago to the Hanau–Nantenbach high-speed rail line, with its four tunnels. A GeoLodge and a rock trail provide information about rock samples found during tunnel construction. Railway construction and the rocks discovered during the work offer two different ways to explore the history of the line.

Cycling, Hiking and Time Outdoors

The leisure area features a double slide, a zip line, a Dutch disc, a play train, a table tennis table and a basketball court. These add a playful and sporting touch alongside the historical themes. Facilities may change; check what is currently available before visiting. A barbecue hut, a social gathering area and a camping meadow provide options for day trips and events for children’s and youth groups or clubs.

A fully paved regional cycling path connects Laufach’s districts of Frohnhofen and Hain and runs mostly away from traffic. Those interested in hiking will also find a landmark in the trail network: the Spessartweg 1 and Spessartweg 2 trails intersect in Laufach. This means there are different ways to spend time outdoors locally, alongside the cultural routes and leisure area.

More Tours in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

The wider Aschaffenburg destination offers further cycling opportunities. The family-friendly MainRadweg runs through the Main valley in Aschaffenburg district and is well signposted. The also signposted Kahltal-Spessart cycle path passes through the district’s landscapes. Four Bikewald-Spessart routes are marked in the eastern Hochspessart for challenging cross-country cycling. The “Denk mal – Rad mal” app offers cycling tours in nature across the district, featuring stories, quizzes and information about sights; check before your trip whether the app and its content are available.

Hiking routes in the wider Aschaffenburg destination also cater to different plans: Spessartwege 1, 2 and 3 run through the district and have been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality certification four times. The Eselsweg is a multi-day tour. The district also has more than 30 hiking tours along the cultural routes of the Archaeological Spessart Project. These regional options complement the trails in Laufach, but should not be confused with the local routes.

Accommodation and Trip Planning

When choosing accommodation in Laufach, it helps to think about which experiences you want to shape your stay: cultural history and railways, cycling or hiking. Compare the locations of the accommodation options with your own travel plans, and choose the focus that best suits your preferred daily rhythm.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Alzenau, Kleinostheim, Mömbris, Großostheim, Geiselbach, Rohrbrunner Forst, Mespelbrunn, Karlstein am Main.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Aschaffenburg.