Lorchhausen: Wine Village, Hiking Trails and St. Clement’s Chapel

Lorchhausen is a historic wine village with vineyards on steep slate slopes. Winegrowing plays an important role in the village; at the same time, its hiking trails offer various ways to explore the surrounding area on foot. A rail connection and direct access to hiking trails make Lorchhausen a possible starting or ending point for a hiking stage. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable in advance.

Hiking Trails and Stages in Lorchhausen

Hiking options include local circular trails as well as the Rheinsteig and the Rheinburgenweg. Both run above Lorchhausen and cross the valley path. This gives you different types of routes to choose from: you can focus on a local loop or consider the two named trails when planning a hiking stage. The rail connection and direct access to hiking trails also make the village an appealing starting or ending point for such a stage.

Kalvarienberg and St. Clement’s Chapel

St. Clement’s Chapel, built in 1909, stands above Lorchhausen. The ascent leads over Kalvarienberg and along a Way of the Cross with stations dating from 1870. From the top, there are views across the village and the Rhine lowlands. The route thus combines the stations of the Way of the Cross with views of the landscape and village. St. Clement’s Chapel and St. Boniface’s Church are also considered sights worth visiting in Lorchhausen.

Wine Village and Places to Eat

Visitors passing through Lorchhausen can stop at local Straußwirtschaften, traditional seasonal wine taverns. They reflect the importance of winegrowing in the village. Along with the hiking trails and chapel, they offer another way to experience the character of this wine village.

More to Discover in the Wider Destination of Lorch

The wider destination of Lorch also offers points of interest for hiking and culture. Numerous regional and long-distance hiking trails intersect in Lorch. The Rhein-Über runs for 6.7 kilometers in Lorch and for another 6 kilometers on the opposite bank of the Rhine in Niederheimbach. Burg Nollig can only be reached on foot via the Rheinsteig; it is not possible to drive there. Lorch was also a former garrison town.

Wine experiences in Lorch include tastings at the historic Hilchenhaus, hosted by the Tourist Information team and featuring wines from various Lorch winemakers. The City of Lorch’s vinotheque in the Hilchenhaus has a wide selection of wines from almost all Lorch wineries and offers small, informal tastings. Contact the Tourist Information office or the vinotheque to ask about current tasting options.

Other visits in Lorch might include the Ransel Local History Museum, located in the Ransel district at the end of Kirchstraße. Bread from the museum’s own small bakehouse is sold on selected dates; check the current baking schedule before you go. The Robert Struppmann Museum’s collection consists mainly of sacred medieval sculptures dating from around 1400. Finds from the Lorch area on display include a Bronze Age neck ring and a child’s bracelet. Museum visits are possible by prior arrangement.

View the wider travel overview: Lorch.