Willstätt: Cycle Paths, Mill History and Moscherosch

Cycle paths along the Kinzig, the history of a mill and traces of the Baroque author Johann Michael Moscherosch offer different ways to discover Willstätt. When planning your trip, you can focus on cycling tours or cultural and historical discoveries. The replica raft set up on the banks of the Kinzig in 2026 is another distinctive feature of the town. Your search for a holiday apartment can therefore start with what interests you most about your holiday.

Cycle paths between the Kinzig and the mill

Willstätt has a well-developed network of cycle paths, with connections to long-distance cycling routes and links to nearby towns and municipalities. In Willstätt, the “Via the EuroVelo Route to Willstätt” cycling tour follows the Kinzig nature trail and passes the Kinzig weir. It is described as easy to ride, with no significant climbs. Check current route conditions before setting off.

The Mill Cycle Route offers another perspective by bike, passing the Willstätt Mill. In the wider region, the tour is described as covering either 34 or 52 kilometres. It passes through expansive wetland landscapes with green meadows and old trees, by bathing lakes, and through villages and forests. The routes thus differ in more than just their destinations: the tour via the EuroVelo Route is characterised as easy to ride, with few significant climbs, while the Mill Cycle Route is described by its two stated distances and varied landscapes.

Willstätt Mill lies directly on the Alte Kinzig. It was built at the end of the 19th century, after the previous industrial mill burned down to its foundations in 1888. This history anchors the mill in the story of the town and gives the cycle route a historical point of interest. An exhibition on Johann Michael Moscherosch (1601–1669) is located on the mill’s ground floor.

Literary traces and history by the river

A monument honouring Moscherosch stands beside the Baroque church. A Baroque author, satirist and moralist from the Upper Rhine region, he was also known as “Philander von Sittewald”. He was born in Willstätt on 7 March 1601. His satirical visions held up an revealing mirror to his age and served as a model for Grimmelshausen. The “Per Pedal zur Poesie” (“Pedalling to Poetry”) literary route includes Willstätt and connects it with Oberkirch and Renchen to form a Baroque triangle. This gives it a different focus from the route by the Kinzig weir: here, the emphasis is on literature and the links between the three towns.

A new, faithfully reproduced display raft was set up in 2026 on the banks of the Kinzig near Giesenplatz (Sandgasse). It serves as an educational exhibit and a photo opportunity. The Kinzig Trail along the Alte Kinzig also explores the history of the river, including people and professions, animals and events, plants, technology and, above all, water. For finding your way around, it is important to know that its 20 information panels were removed during renovation work along the Alte Kinzig and around the Alte Mühle (Old Mill); a new concept is planned.

Willstätt as a starting point

Willstätt makes a good starting point for trips to tourist destinations and attractions in the region. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can first weigh up your preferred holiday focus: an easy cycling tour with few significant climbs, the regional Mill Cycle Route tour, or the literary connection to Oberkirch and Renchen. Mill history and traces of Moscherosch add discoveries in town to these cycling themes. You can therefore choose accommodation based on the experiences you would like to include in your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kappelrodeck, Schuttertal, Schwanau, Mahlberg, Mühlenbach, Biberach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, Seelbach.

Return to the main travel guide: Ortenaukreis.