Krombach: History and Nature in the Vorspessart

Krombach lies 20 km north of Aschaffenburg in a valley in the Vorspessart region. The village combines varied hiking landscapes with striking traces of its history: Hauenstein Castle, its long church history, and the stream of the same name give nature and culture a tangible connection to the area. This makes it easy to combine hiking and local history in one trip.

The village’s name is also thought to reflect the landscape: Krombach is believed to derive from the stream of the same name, which winds for 5 km through the valley.

Hauenstein Castle and Church History

Hauenstein Castle was a hilltop castle in Krombach in the 14th and 15th centuries. Around 1375, it was built by the knight Werner Kolling on behalf of his liege lord Ulrich IV of Hanau. Both the builder and the patron are named—Werner Kolling and Ulrich IV—and the date of around 1375 places the castle in the village’s history. At the castle ruins, forest paths run north between the castle hill and the neighboring elevation along the stream.

The church’s history also goes back a long way: Krombach had a parish church before 1296. The Catholic parish church of St. Lambert and St. Sebastian has a nave built in 1744 and a medieval tower base. The different construction periods can be seen in two clearly identified parts of the church building: a medieval tower base and the nave, built later.

Hiking Trails and Historic Landscapes

Krombach has 50 km of hiking trails through the charming, varied landscape of the Vorspessart, which is rich in wildlife. The length of the trails and the character of the landscape give hiking here a distinctive focus: alongside the physical activity, visitors can enjoy the diversity of the Vorspessart and its abundant wildlife.

The Krombach Panorama Trail offers another perspective on the village’s history. It tells the story of the Krombach regional court, which, due to its location on the border, was a separate judicial district for many centuries between places shaped by Electoral Mainz and those with stronger Hessian influences. The themes are distinct: the hiking trails lead through the Vorspessart landscape, while the Panorama Trail focuses on the history of the historic judicial district.

Cycling and Hiking Ideas in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

Those who venture beyond Krombach will find more options for an active trip in the wider Aschaffenburg destination. The family-friendly Main Cycle Route runs through the Main Valley in the Aschaffenburg district and is well signposted. The Kahltal-Spessart Cycle Route is a signposted cycling route through the district’s charming landscapes. For a different kind of cycling, four challenging cross-country trails in the eastern High Spessart area of the district are signposted as Bikewald Spessart routes. The regional options offer a range of experiences—from family-friendly cycle paths to challenging trails.

There are also hiking options beyond the village: Spessart Trails 1, 2, and 3 run through the Aschaffenburg district and have been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality trail designation by the German Hiking Association four times. The Eselsweg is a multi-day hike in the district. Numerous inns and hotels in the Aschaffenburg district also serve Franconian specialties and Äppelwoi from local cider presses. This makes it easy to plan a stay around longer hikes, cycling routes, or regional cuisine.

If you would also like to include cycling or multi-day tours and regional cuisine, a broader search area in the wider Aschaffenburg destination may suit your travel plans.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Haibach, Aschaffenburg, Sommerkahl, Johannesberg, Rohrbrunner Forst, Laufach, Kleinostheim, Mömbris.

Back to the regional travel overview: Aschaffenburg.