Discover Gernsbach: History and Nature

Gernsbach combines a historic townscape with outdoor art and a distinctive landscape of forests and moorland. The Storchenturm has been an unmistakable feature of the townscape for over 500 years. At the same time, the art trail along the Reichenbach leads from the district of Obertsrot-Hilpertsau to Reichental, while circular trails and the raised bog area at Kaltenbronn show another side of the surrounding area. Culture and nature each add their own distinctive touch to your trip planning.

History, Architecture and Art

The Old Town Hall is one of the most beautiful and most significant residential buildings of its era in southern Germany from an art-historical perspective. Its upper floors have housed the Museum of Harmony since April 2012, run by the Jan Brauers Foundation. The tithe barns on Amtsstraße, which have survived to this day, are also part of the historic townscape; they date from 1694 and 1701. Following renovation, a permanent exhibition was installed in the Storchenturm in 2014.

In the Katz'sche Garden on the banks of the Murg, a historic park is complemented by numerous sculptures and works of art from past centuries. A classicist garden pavilion dating from 1846 completes the grounds. The various art venues reveal different facets of the town's history: from the distinctive tower and older residential buildings to art in the park.

The Old Town Hall was designated the starting point of the Ortenau Wine Trail in 2007. Wine tastings at Weingut Iselin are held in the vaulted cellar of the Old Town Hall; check before your visit whether a tasting is currently available. This brings architecture, wine and a long-distance hiking trail together in the same historic building.

Forest, Moorland and Hiking Trails

Gernsbach is a gateway community to the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park. Above the Lautenbach district, the Lautenfelsen rock formations rise from dense forest. Ancient forests, mountain streams and distinctive flora and fauna characterize the landscape there.

The raised bog area at Kaltenbronn lies at an altitude of around 900 metres. It has been a nature reserve for over 60 years and was the first nature reserve in Baden-Württemberg. The Wildseemoor is the largest raised bog in the Black Forest. Circular trails ranging from three to nine kilometres run around Hohlohsee and Wildsee; clear hiking maps are provided at the car parks. Trail conditions may change locally, so check them before setting out.

The Gernsbacher Runde offers a different kind of hike: this 43.8-kilometre trail runs around Gernsbach and takes two to three days to complete, with some steep climbs. Along the route, you can discover natural beauty, viewpoints and the Murg. Compared with the circular trails at Kaltenbronn, it is a much longer, multi-day option.

The art trail along the Reichenbach is a gently ascending, 3.2-kilometre hiking trail leading from Gernsbach's Obertsrot-Hilpertsau district to Reichental. Works by renowned artists from Baden-Württemberg and other European countries line the trail. As the works are on loan from the artists, they may remain there for varying lengths of time. Its length and focus on art make this trail a distinct option between the circular trails at Kaltenbronn and the multi-day Gernsbacher Runde.

Winter and Guided Experiences

In winter, Kaltenbronn offers opportunities for skiing and cross-country skiing. Two ski lifts and numerous groomed cross-country trails are available for winter sports. As operations are seasonal, check the current conditions before travelling.

Visitors who would like to discover Gernsbach on a guided tour can choose from a year-round programme for visitors and residents. Check specific availability before booking.

Choosing between culture, nature and winter sports gives your further trip planning a clear direction.

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