Lautertal (Odenwald): Kaiserturm, trails and Felsenmeer

Discover Lautertal (Odenwald) through its distinctive hilltops, varied hiking trails and a pond with its own natural attraction. The Kaiserturm stands on the Neunkirchener Höhe. It commemorates Emperor Wilhelm I, was built of stone in 1906/07 and stands 34 metres tall; it was preceded by a wooden tower. The Neunkirchener Höhe is the highest point in Lautertal.

Viewpoints and hiking trails

The Krehberg also offers different perspectives: Located between Seidenbuch and Schannenbach, it has several viewpoints and numerous shorter and longer hiking trails. From Seidenbacher Eck, the panoramic view stretches across the Odenwald from northeast to southwest. If you like to plan your outings around trails of different lengths, the Krehberg offers several options without requiring you to commit to a single route.

A longer circuit is the digital 12-Dörfer-Rundwanderweg Lautertal. It is 41.32 kilometres long and passes through all of Lautertal’s districts; it is not marked on the ground. The Roter Strich hiking trail follows a different route: it passes through Elmshausen, by the Striethteich and up to the heights between Felsberg and Amalienhöhe. On the Felsenmeer-Rundweg L1, the steepest climb is between Kuralpe and the summit of Felsberg, where the Ohlyturm stands. This information can help you plan your own hikes based on the routes described.

Striethteich: waterfowl, a mill model and a festival

The Striethteich is located between Elmshausen and the Selterswasserhäuschen. Numerous waterfowl live there, and there is an island just for them. A water-powered model of the Deichertsmühle also stands on the shore. Nature watching and a technical model thus offer two different ways to experience the same place. The Teichfest is held at the pond every year on Ascension Day.

Understanding the Felsenmeer

The Felsenmeer Information Centre provides visitors with information about how the Felsenmeer was formed, the work of Roman stonemasons 1,700 years ago and stonemasonry in more recent times. The Siegfriedsquelle and the Bergstraße-Odenwald Geopark are also among the topics covered. Guided tours on the geological formation of the Felsenmeer are also available. This lets you combine your visit with a deeper look at how the natural landscape formed and its history.

More to discover in the wider Bergstraße destination

The wider Bergstraße destination also offers its own landscapes and cultural attractions. In the Bergstraße district, gentle vineyards meet the Odenwald. In Heppenheim, the Wein & Stein adventure trail is about 6.9 kilometres long and has around 70 information stations. The autumn hike takes place there every year on 3 October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; five stations along the trail invite visitors to enjoy wine and food in the vineyards. Check the event details before your trip.

Another regional cultural destination is Lorsch Abbey, home to one of the best-preserved Carolingian buildings north of the Alps. The abbey was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. Public guided tours are available for groups of two or more; check the current schedule in advance. Wine is also a defining feature of the Bergstraße: Riesling is its typical white grape variety, while Pinot Noir dominates the red wines. You can sample Red Riesling and other Bergstraße specialities directly from producers, in wine taverns or at wine festivals.

More pages in Lautertal

More pages in Lautertal: Lautern, Gadernheim.

Discover more destinations: Wald-Michelbach, Birkenau, Biblis, Mörlenbach, Abtsteinach, Bürstadt.

Back to the regional travel overview: Bergstraße.