Discover Grenzau: Castle, Brexbach Valley and Art Trail

Burg Grenzau stands on a rocky spur above the Brexbach Valley. Its triangular keep, the forested valley and the historic castle village offer different ways to explore the area. In addition to the castle and local history, Genuss tours lead through the Brexbach Valley and along the Brexbach; the themed trail features works of art, while the former Brexbach Valley Railway offers another historical perspective. You can explore Grenzau according to the focus of your trip: architecture and views, trails, or art and local history.

The castle, village and visiting information

Burg Grenzau was first mentioned in 1213. A keep is a castle’s main tower; in Grenzau, its triangular shape stands out. From the castle tower, you can look across the forested Brex Valley down to the historic castle village, with its old half-timbered houses and picturesquely situated village church. This brings together the landscape and views of the village’s historic buildings. The castle was first recorded in the early 13th century.

For visitors, the castle courtyard, castle tower and viewing platform are open from April to the end of October on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Guided tours are available on request. If you plan to make the castle a fixed part of your itinerary, check the seasonal visiting hours before you travel and enquire about a guided tour if you would like one.

Valley trails, the stream and art

Genuss Tour 3 starts at a small hiking car park in the Grenzau district at the foot of the castle and runs directly through the Brexbach Valley. Genuss Tour 2 follows the Brexbach along the narrow “Raubritterpfad” above the Grenzau district. The two tours offer different highlights: on Genuss Tour 3, the starting point at the foot of the castle and the route through the valley shape the experience; on Genuss Tour 2, the stream and the narrow path above the village take centre stage.

The Grenzau themed trail features several works of art along the way, accompanied by explanatory information boards. You can view the works and take in the explanations as you follow the route. The art and accompanying information offer a different focus from the valley and stream sections of the Genuss tours.

History and an annual event

Railway history is also part of Grenzau: the Brexbach Valley Railway ran through the village. Grenzau station was the railway’s operational hub until it closed in 1996. An artisan market is held every year at the foot of the castle on the second Sunday in August. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the exact event date before travelling.

Think about which of these highlights matters most to you. You can then focus your search for a suitable place to stay on the experiences that interest you in Grenzau.

Discover more destinations: Hilgert.

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