Discover Simmertal

Simmertal combines a challenging circular hike with distinctive landmarks that tell the story of the town. The Felsengarten Vital Tour is a circular trail that starts and ends in Simmertal; the town hall museum and Protestant Church add their own cultural highlights. When planning your trip, you can choose between an active day of hiking and historical discoveries in the town.

Hiking among vineyards, woodland and rocky terrain

The Felsengarten Vital Tour is 13.8 kilometres long and rated difficult. It starts and ends in Simmertal, with the starting point at the historic town hall. Along the way, you’ll pass viewing platforms and cross vineyards, woodland and rocky terrain. The route lies within the “Nahetal zwischen Simmertal und Bad Kreuznach” FFH conservation area. Its length and difficulty rating give you concrete points of reference when choosing a route. Check the latest trail information before setting out, as conditions along the route may change.

The Felsengarten is therefore a clearly defined hiking option for anyone who wants to include a challenging route in their trip. The scenery alternates between vineyards, woodland and rocky terrain, with the viewing platforms adding to the experience. If you’re planning for a group with varied interests, you can make the hike a focus in its own right, alongside local history and culture.

Town hall, church and early local history

The historic town hall dates from 1499 and houses a natural history museum. Its exhibits include fossils, minerals, and botanical and ornithological specimens. Visits to the museum are possible by appointment. Keep this in mind when planning: arrange your visit in advance rather than assuming you can enter at any time.

The Protestant Church was built in 1730. This rubble-stone building has a polygonal apse and a square roof turret. Inside is a Stumm organ, also dating from 1730. The architecture and organ thus share the same year of origin—a striking connection between the building’s history and music.

Earlier names and archaeological finds also offer a glimpse into the town’s history. In 841, Simmertal was known as “Simera”. A predecessor church in Simmertal, dedicated to Saint Maximin, is documented in 1140. Roman grave finds in the Simmertal area are considered evidence of the region’s ancient settlement history. These traces date back further than the town hall and today’s Protestant Church.

Historic traces and routes to Dhaun Castle

Brunkenstein and Rotenburg were built as military-strategic outposts between historic Siemere, today’s Simmertal, and Dhaun Castle. A clearly visible section of wall survives at Brunkenstein. If you’re interested in the area’s history, you can also explore historic traces associated with Brunkenstein and Dhaun Castle, in addition to the buildings in town.

There is a separate hiking option from the Simmertal sawmill car park to Dhaun Castle, following the shortest route via Rotenberg and Brunkenstein. This lets you distinguish the route from the Felsengarten Vital Tour, whose circular trail starts and ends in Simmertal. Check the latest trail information for this route too before setting out.

Choose accommodation to suit your interests

When choosing accommodation, you can start by deciding whether hiking or local history will be the main focus of your trip. Simmertal has a campsite by the Kellenbach for motorhomes and bikers, with suitable pitches. As opening arrangements and pitch availability may change, check the campsite’s latest information before you arrive.

Bad Kreuznach: bridge houses and museums

Bad Kreuznach also offers distinct architectural and cultural attractions within the wider destination. The bridge houses in Bad Kreuznach were built from 1480 onwards due to a lack of space. These half-timbered buildings stand on the pillars of the old Nahe Bridge, built around 1300. The bridge houses and their older bridge thus offer a historic attraction in their own right, separate from the buildings in Simmertal.

The museums of the city of Bad Kreuznach are housed in the listed former Bangert manor, set in a historic park. They have been located there since 1985/86. This site adds another dimension to your cultural itinerary: while Simmertal’s town hall museum and church offer insights into natural history and local architecture, the Bangert manor brings together the museums of the city of Bad Kreuznach with a historic estate and park.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Duchroth, Monzingen, Kirschroth, Dalberg, Frei-Laubersheim, Hallgarten, Brauweiler, Staudernheim.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Bad Kreuznach.