Malsch: History, views and trails

In Malsch, small monuments, museums and a historic mill offer a glimpse into the town’s history; Mahlberg Tower and signposted routes add views and activity to your discovery itinerary. This lets you choose different focuses for your stay, from culture and trails to water-based activities.

Small Monuments and Craft Traditions

There are nearly 100 small monuments in Malsch and its districts. Most are wayside crosses, wayside shrines, statues and other monuments. Their variety makes these small historical landmarks a subject in their own right as you explore the townscape. The history of the town mill can also be traced through two dates: the first documented mention of the town mill dates back to 1511; a mill in Malsch was already mentioned in a letter in 1470.

The historic complex of the Blacksmith and Toy Museum at Kreuzstraße 15 is one of the last surviving farms within the town with a craft workshop dating from the 19th century. It is a listed building and is considered an important example of the region’s architectural and craft history. Since September 2024, visitors have been able to discover a toy museum on the upper floor of the blacksmith’s house, featuring historic dolls, toy rooms and general stores. Check visiting arrangements before you travel.

The Völkersbach Local History Museum offers another insight into local crafts: an original Völkersbach tailor’s workshop has been restored on the upper floor and can once again be visited. In the center of Malsch, a group of sandstone sculptures by Walter Grimm also commemorates the former public weigh house.

Mahlberg Tower and Trails through Malsch

Mahlberg Tower near Malsch-Völkersbach is 28.5 meters high and reached by more than 160 steps. From the viewing platform, the panorama stretches to the Hornisgrinde, across the Rhine Plain, to the Vosges and the Palatinate. The signposted trail from the specified hiking car park to Mahlberg is about 1.2 kilometers long. This gives you both the extent of the climb and a specific trail distance for planning.

The hiking routes described vary considerably in length and features. The 5.7-kilometer Waldenfels Tour can start at the Rentnerhütte Waldprechtsweier or at Malsch swimming pool. It passes through the “Burgschlag” section and by historic Waldenfels Castle. The 12.2-kilometer Panorama Trail has two starting points, offers views across the Rhine Plain at many points, and allows you to switch to Route 11 or 12 at its highest point. You can therefore weigh up distance, starting point and views together when choosing a route.

A total of around 100 kilometers of Nordic walking trails are also signposted in the Malsch municipal area, with 13 different routes across three difficulty levels. Another option is the “Between the Black Forest and the Upper Rhine Graben” GeoTour Malsch: it is 5.8 kilometers long and starts and ends at the Rentnerhütte Waldprechtsweier. For cyclists, Malsch is the last location on the described stage of the Nature Park Cycle Route; from there, the route can continue toward Gaggenau.

Outdoor Pool and Cycling Routes

Malsch outdoor pool is at Hinterbach 7, on the road from Malsch to Waldprechtsweier, on the left-hand side at the edge of the forest. Facilities include a non-swimmer pool with a wide wave slide and water mushroom, as well as a children’s paddling pool with a water hedgehog, water cannon, baby slide and water play equipment. There is also a swimming pool, a diving pool, a children’s playground, a beach volleyball court, table tennis tables and a chessboard. The specific water and play facilities make it easier to plan a day at the outdoor pool around your travel group’s interests. Check seasonal opening times and the availability of individual facilities before your visit.

Routes and directions are also provided for cycling trips: from Malsch, three paved cycle paths run parallel to the L607 to Sulzbach and onward to Ettlingen, parallel to the L608 to Neumalsch and onward to Durmersheim, and parallel to the L607 to Muggensturm. You can compare these connections by their destinations without confusing the cycle paths with local hiking routes.

Discover more destinations: Graben-Neudorf, Waghäusel, Oberhausen-Rheinhausen, Karlsruhe, Walzbachtal, Karlsdorf-Neuthard, Sulzfeld, Stutensee.

Back to the main travel guide: Karlsruhe.