Eppenhain – Local History, Views and Nature

Eppenhain can be explored on several levels: at the Catholic parish church of St. Joseph, in a former inn with cellar vaults that are probably medieval, from the panoramic viewpoint at Atzelberg Tower, and in protected forest habitats. Local history, views and nature each offer a different focus. When planning your trip, it therefore helps to first consider which of these aspects interests you most.

Church and Local History

The Catholic parish church of St. Joseph was built in 1908, using stone from Eppenhain’s quarries and basalt from the Westerwald. The distinctive entrance can be reached via a steep, covered staircase. Three altars from the time of construction have been preserved inside, as have the colorful windows. Together, the design, materials and surviving furnishings offer various historical details to look out for as you explore the village.

Another trace of the village’s earlier history is the former “Zum Taunus” inn at Wirtsstraße 3. It is considered Eppenhain’s oldest house because the cellar vaults beneath it probably date back to the Middle Ages.

Views and Trails

At 27 meters high, Atzelberg Tower is the landmark of the Eppenhain district of Kelkheim (Taunus). Its observation platform offers panoramic views of prominent Taunus peaks and Königstein Castle. At this point, the focus is on elevation and long-distance views, while the parish church and former inn are primarily reminders of local architecture and history.

The R9 circular hiking trail at Rettershof also descends to Eppenhain along its route. It passes the cemetery and war memorial, then follows Rossertstraße to Nickelskreuz. The route’s stated waypoints provide clear directions. If you are weighing up different themes for your trip, the tower panorama and hiking trail may offer a different focus from the historic buildings in the village.

Forest and Protected Habitats

The Rossert-Hainkopf-Dachsbau Special Area of Conservation also extends across the Eppenhain district. Its conservation objectives include near-natural, structurally diverse woodrush beech forests with standing and fallen deadwood, as well as trees with hollows. Typical habitat tree species at different stages of development and ages are also included. This description draws attention not just to the forest as an area, but also to its varied structures and age groups.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Kelkheim (Taunus)

The wider destination of Kelkheim (Taunus) also has its own nature and cultural attractions. In Kelkheim-Mitte, the Sindlinger Wiesen nature trail, also known as the town park, runs for around 700 meters along the Liederbach stream. The Gundelhardt forest nature trail is approximately 500 meters long and features 83 different trees and shrubs, mostly native deciduous and coniferous species. The two trails offer different ways to experience nature: one follows a stream, while the other focuses on tree and shrub species.

The Kelkheim Museum displays historic furniture from Kelkheim’s furniture-making industry, a history of the town’s 100-year-old carpentry tradition, and a historic workshop. St. Francis Monastery and Parish Church was built in 1908/1909 together with the Franciscan monastery in the Neo-Romanesque style. For hikers, the Taunus Schinderhannes Steig is another regional point of interest: Kelkheim is its starting point, and the trail markers begin at the historic Hof Gimbach. The certified trail is well marked in both directions.

Choose your accommodation based on the experiences you want to shape your trip.

For the overview of the wider destination: Kelkheim.