Kimbach: Hiking among meadows, forests and history

Kimbach is nestled among meadows and forests in a beautiful side valley of the Mümling. When planning a trip, the village combines a distinctive landscape with specific hiking highlights: the Odenwald Oak is a destination for many hikers, and the Roman Odenwald Limes ran along the heights above Kimbach. Those wishing to include culture as well as nature and outdoor activities can consider Bad König as a wider destination.

Hiking trails to the Odenwald Oak

The Odenwald Oak is a more than three-hundred-year-old English oak at the edge of the forest. The “Natural Monuments – Oaks Along the Way” hike leads from Momart via Kimbach to Bad König and, in Kimbach, to this tree. This makes a distinctive natural landmark one of the highlights of a route connecting three named places.

The Georg Vetter Trail offers a different perspective and is dedicated to the Bad König landscape painter. It starts in Bad König, right by the Georg Vetter Museum, and climbs uphill to Kimbach, passing the Odenwald Oak at the edge of the forest. From the museum, the described route leaves the town between gardens and meadows and heads to the cemetery with its centuries-old cemetery chapel. Georg Vetter often used the chapel as a subject in his paintings.

Those looking for a route with a specified distance can also choose an easy 4.8-kilometre Nordic walking tour. It leads from the cemetery along field and forest paths through the Kimbach valley to the Gesundheitsbrunnen (Health Spring). The route thus links nature trails in the valley with a clearly named destination.

Nature, history and events

The Roman Odenwald Limes ran along the heights above Kimbach. For those interested in nature conservation, the “Kimbacher Runde” (Kimbach Round Table) is an open discussion and working forum covering all aspects of nature conservation in the Odenwald. It meets at the Odenwald Nature Conservation Centre on the third Thursday of every month at 19:00. As event dates may change, it is advisable to check the latest date before visiting.

The Original Kimbach Oktoberfest is scheduled for Saturday, 10 October 2026, at the Kimbacher Wies’n by the Kimbach Community Centre. Doors open at 19:00, the event starts at 20:00, and admission is free. If you are travelling specifically for the event, check the event details in advance.

Bad König as a wider destination

The historic centre of Bad König has its own discoveries to offer. It includes the castles, the Lustgarten (Pleasure Garden), the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), the Rentmeisterei and the open-air theatre. The Old Castle dates back to 1559 and was the residence of the Counts of Erbach-Schönberg. It stands on elevated ground at the southern end of Schlossplatz; its broad façade, with many window bays, defines the square. The castle’s ground floor houses two exhibition rooms of the local history museum. The open-air theatre, established in 1985, hosts outdoor events.

For a different focus, Bad König’s spa park offers two lakes, a mini-golf course, a water playground, a balance trail and a Kneipp footbath. The park also features a planet trail, sundials, water fountains, and facilities for outdoor chess and boules. The paths around the lakes are lit, and you can walk or jog there until 22:00. If these facilities or the time frame are important for your plans, check the latest information in advance.

Bad König can be reached by the Odenwaldbahn railway. The walk from the station to Schloßplatz is about 800 metres. Check current train connections when planning your journey.

Choose accommodation based on your travel priorities

If you want to focus primarily on Kimbach’s meadows, forests and hiking destinations, search specifically for Kimbach. For a stay focused on the castle, museum, spa park or rail access, include Bad König as a wider destination. Choose your search location based on your planned itinerary.

For the wider travel overview: Bad König.