Lautern: Industrial History and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Lautern
In Lautern, an unusual industrial history tells of soft spring water and the production of ultramarine. Particularly soft spring water made the factory site attractive to its founder, August von Ploennies. Ultramarine was first produced at the blue dye factory in Lautern by firing a mixture of kaolin, sulfur, Glauber's salt and coal. Between 1852 and 1996, the blue dye factory (Ciba Geigy Marienberg) was one of the most important employers in what is now Lautertal.
Blue Dye Factory and Transformer Tower
The transformer tower at the blue dye factory in Lautern is also part of the local industrial history. For historical reasons, it is a cultural monument under Section 2 (1) of the Hessian Monument Protection Act. Its inclusion in the monument register of the State of Hesse is planned.
The Digital 12-Village Circular Hiking Trail
In the Lautertal (Odenwald), the digital 12-village circular hiking trail passes through all twelve villages. The route is just over 41 kilometers long; its exact length is 41.32 kilometers. For a route of this length, it is worth making the hike a separate focus of your stay planning.
The trail itself is not marked in the landscape. It follows existing, well-marked hiking trails; digital navigation helps you find the route. This means the markings on the existing trails should be distinguished from the digital guidance for the circular route. Digital route information may change, so check the route before your hike.
Landscape and Trails in the Lautertal (Odenwald)
The wider destination of Lautertal (Odenwald) has several viewpoints and hiking trails. The Krehberg lies between Seidenbuch and Schannenbach; there are several viewpoints there, as well as shorter and longer hiking trails. From Seidenbacher Eck, the view extends across the Odenwald from northeast to southwest. These offer different focuses for planning: at the Krehberg, you can choose between trails of varying lengths and viewpoints, while the broad panorama takes center stage at Seidenbacher Eck.
The Kaiserturm stands on Neunkirchener Höhe, the highest point in Lautertal. It commemorates Kaiser Wilhelm I and was built of stone in 1906/07; before that, it had a wooden predecessor. The tower is 34 meters high. Its construction date, predecessor and height give the viewpoint its own historical dimension.
The pond at Striethteich, between Elmshausen and the “Selterswasserhäuschen,” is home to numerous waterbirds, which have an island of their own. A water-powered model of the Deichertsmühle stands on the bank. The pond festival is held there every year on Ascension Day. If you would like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the current event date in advance.
The “Red Stripe” hiking trail is also described in the Lautertal (Odenwald): it passes through Elmshausen by the Striethteich pond and climbs to the ridge between Felsberg and Amalienhöhe. On the Felsenmeer circular trail L1, the steepest section is between Kuralpe and the summit of Felsberg, where the Ohlyturm stands. Guided tours on the geological formation of the Felsenmeer are offered at the Felsenmeer Information Center; bookings can be made through the center. This lets you decide whether the route itself or the geological formation of the Felsenmeer is your main interest when planning.
Choosing the Right Accommodation
A clear priority can help you choose accommodation: do you want to focus on Lautern's industrial history, or are you mainly planning to explore trails and scenic spots in the Lautertal (Odenwald)? This lets you tailor your search to your own excursion plans.
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