Discover Siegenburg: Inland Dunes and Hop-Growing Tradition

Siegenburg stands out for its inland dunes and rich history of hop growing. Cycling, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and culture reflected in the townscape round out the picture—offering a range of reasons that can shape your stay.

Inland Dunes and Nature

The Siegenburg inland dunes cover about 15 hectares. The gently hilly terrain is dotted with open pine woodland, and pure sand is exposed in many places. The dunes date back to the Late Glacial period and were shaped by strong winds. Despite the hot sand, many rare plants grow on the extremely nutrient-poor soil. Pine woodland, open sandy areas and gentle rises give the landscape a varied character.

Another natural highlight is the disused chimney of the Schmidmayer brewery in Siegenburg: storks have nested there for over 50 years. Those interested in wildlife will find not only the distinctive dune vegetation here, but also a long-established nesting site.

Hop-Growing History and Architecture

The Marian column stands at the center of Siegenburg’s market square. Its stone base bears the inscription “St. Maria ora pro nobis.” This cultural monument was dedicated on December 8, 1878, for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The town’s hop-growing history is also deeply rooted: Siegenburg received official rights to seal hops in 1846 and is the third-oldest hop-sealing community in the Hallertau.

Pilbis Castle adds a distinctive architectural accent. It has two storeys and two striking gables above a three-storey roof space. The unusual arrangement of floors and roof space makes this architectural form particularly striking.

Cycling, Events and Outdoor Swimming Pool

The Abens Cycle Path passes through Siegenburg along its full route. At the annual Bürgerfest (town festival), the German Hop-Picking Championship is held on Sundays. If you are planning a trip around the event, check the dates for your stay.

A brewery tour gives participants an insight into the craft of brewing beer, as well as information about the history, craft and traditions of brewing. Tours are available by arrangement; confirm the date in advance.

The large pool at Siegenburg’s outdoor swimming pool offers space for swimming, diving and play. Facilities include a small and a large slide, a one-metre diving board, a three-metre diving tower, diving blocks, a mushroom fountain with waterfall and two massage jets. The outdoor pool is open seasonally; dates and conditions may vary. Check them before your visit.

Your travel plans may determine which accommodation you choose: a cycling trip along the Abens Cycle Path calls for a different focus than a stay centered on the Bürgerfest, a brewery tour or a visit to the outdoor pool. Compare locations based on the places you actually want to visit and your own plans for getting around.

More Highlights in the Kelheim Destination

The wider Kelheim destination encompasses its own distinct regional highlights. The northern part of the district, including Kelheim, Essing and Riedenburg, lies in Altmühltal Nature Park. The southern part, including Abensberg, Neustadt an der Donau, Biburg, Rohr i. NB and Mainburg, is part of the Hallertau, regarded as the world’s largest contiguous hop-growing region.

Kelheim also offers its own landmarks for hiking: the Weltenburger Enge nature reserve has eleven hiking trails. One 13-kilometre hike leads from Essing via the Tatzlwurm, past the Klausen caves and along the Celtic Wall to the Danube Gorge. These regional landscape and hiking themes offer a different focus from Siegenburg’s inland dunes and hop-growing tradition.

Discover more destinations: Rohr in Niederbayern, Wildenberg, Kelheim, Ihrlerstein, Saal an der Donau, Langquaid, Abensberg, Painten.

Go to the broader travel overview: Kelheim.