Braunsbach: Kocher, Bridge Building and Historic Routes

Braunsbach brings together wooded hills, uplands and river valleys that blend gently into one another. With the Kochertal Bridge, historic traces and activities on the Kocher, the area offers everything from nature experiences to engineering history. For planning your trip, hiking routes with different stated distances, the Kocher Valley Cycle Route and canoe trips in three time formats are all available. When choosing accommodation, consider whether walking, cycling, the river or cultural history should be the focus of your stay. The historic setting in the wider destination of Schwäbisch Hall includes almost unchanged medieval lanes, parts of the town wall, towers and covered wooden bridges.

Culture, Bridge Building and Local History

The Kochertal Bridge in Braunsbach-Geislingen is 185 metres high, making it Germany’s highest bridge and Europe’s second-highest. The Geislingen Bridge Museum offers insights into the bridge’s construction from 1976 to 1979, including its engineering, geological and economic aspects. Arrangements may need to be made in advance for visits.

Braunsbach Castle was partly built around 1250. Below the castle, St Boniface’s Church preserves Romanesque elements in the choir and the lower part of the tower; it probably served as a parish church from the 12th century onwards. The Jewish Heritage Trail passes former Jewish buildings and sites. A QR code supports self-guided exploration.

Hiking with Specific Time Estimates

The “Around Schaalberg” route starts in Braunsbach, passes the Jewish cemetery and the former site of Enningen Castle, and returns via Weinbergweg. It is 5 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 1.5 hours. The “Wild and Romantic Grimmbach Valley” route leads from Braunsbach through the Grimmbach Valley, then climbs to Elzhausen and returns to Braunsbach. The Jungholzhausen Gorge route is 7 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 2.5 hours. This gives you two specific options for planning your time: 5 kilometres in 1.5 hours and 7 kilometres in 2.5 hours. Conditions on the Schaalberg route can vary seasonally, particularly on steep or slippery sections. Conditions may also change on the other routes.

The Kocher, Cycling and Nature

The paved Kocher Valley Cycle Route connects Braunsbach, Geislingen and Döttingen. The flatter sections are recommended for walks. Short trips, day trips and two-day trips are offered on the Kocher. These provide a choice of different time formats; check availability and the arrangements for each option before your trip. The Grimmbachmündung nature reserve is another natural attraction associated with Braunsbach. Access conditions may vary.

Planning and Choosing Accommodation

Braunsbach is connected to local public transport, including services via Schwäbisch Hall-Hessental railway station. Routes and timetables may change; check them before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cröffelbach, Stimpfach, Bühlerzell, Schrozberg, Ilshofen, Crailsheim, Vellberg, Blaufelden

Go to the wider travel overview: Schwäbisch Hall.