Grenzach-Wyhlen: Boxwood Forest, History and Trails

The boxwood forest, the remains of a Late Antique fort and long-distance routes give Grenzach-Wyhlen a range of natural and cultural attractions. If you like to include both landscapes and history in your travel plans, you’ll find some specific options here: an exceptional wild-growing boxwood site, archaeological traces and trails whose scope you can compare by length and stages.

Boxwood Forest and the Dinkelberg

The boxwood forest in Grenzach-Wyhlen is one of the oldest and last sites in Germany where evergreen boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) grows wild. Nowhere else in Germany does boxwood form such dense and extensive stands, which can grow to over four metres tall. These distinctive stands shape the natural character of the area. At the same time, they continue to be damaged by a fungal disease and the box tree moth.

The 720-hectare Wälder bei Wyhlen area extends across Grenzach-Wyhlen, Rheinfelden and Inzlingen. It includes, among others, the Leuengraben, Buchswald bei Grenzach, Ruschbachtal and Altrhein Wyhlen nature reserves. The boxwood forest and the adjoining upland plateau of the Dinkelberg offer nature lovers a wealth of hiking and walking trails. So, alongside the distinctive trees, walking trails are another nature-based option to consider when planning your trip.

Late Antique traces and the history of wine

The Late Antique bridgehead fort is located on the boundary between the districts of Wyhlen and Herten. Excavations in 1886, 1889 and 1935/36 uncovered the remains of three round towers. The wall remains, about two metres thick, were in places still preserved to a height of 90 centimetres. The tower remains stand directly at the edge of the high riverbank; no cross-walls could be identified.

Another glimpse into the past can be found at the Historic Trotte in Grenzach. It is a prominent cultural monument that points to the former importance of winegrowing in Grenzach and documents the close ties with the city of Basel. The fort and the Trotte thus represent different historical themes: the remains of a Late Antique fortification on the one hand, and the history of winegrowing and its connection with Basel on the other.

Compare routes by length

The High Rhine Riverside Circular Trail runs from Grenzach-Wyhlen and Kaiseraugst to Bad Säckingen and Stein, and forms part of the Rheinliebe route. It is 72.7 kilometres long, has four stages and takes about 18.5 hours in total to walk; its difficulty level is easy to moderate. The Markgräfler Wiiwegli connects Grenzach-Wyhlen or Weil am Rhein with Freiburg over a distance of more than 92 kilometres. By comparison, the Wiiwegli is the longer route, while the Riverside Circular Trail also has information available on the number of stages and approximate total walking time. These differences help you assess the routes by their length and the time required as described.

Lörrach: Culture and wine trails

Lörrach also offers its own cultural and landscape attractions. The Dreiländermuseum Lörrach has a permanent exhibition covering around 1,000 square metres. The Lörrach Sculpture Trail runs through the city and features 23 sculptures, fountains and monuments created by well-known sculptors. Starting in Lörrach-Tüllingen, the Tüllinger Wine Trail connects the Riehener Wine Trail with the Weiler Wine Trail. The interconnected wine trails on Tüllinger Berg pass through around 90 hectares of vineyards, including the Riehener Schlipfer, Tüllinger Sonnenbrunnen, Weiler Schlipf, Haltinger Stiege and Ötlinger Sonnhole vineyard sites. The Tüllinger Wine Trail offers views of the Wiesental and Rhine valleys and provides insights into the work of winegrowers throughout the year.

Discover more destinations: Hertingen, Kleines Wiesental, Kandern, Böllen, Schwörstadt, Efringen-Kirchen, Weil Am Rhein, Fröhnd

Go to the main travel overview: Lörrach.