Krombach: Hiking and History in the Vorspessart Valley
Accommodation in Krombach
Krombach lies 20 km north of Aschaffenburg in a Vorspessart valley. Its landscape and hiking trails shape the town, as do the history of Hauenstein Castle, the parish church and the Krombach District Court. When planning your holiday, this raises a practical question about your interests: Would you like to experience the Vorspessart landscape on foot, or are you particularly interested in the town’s history? Krombach offers points of interest for both priorities.
Hiking in the Vorspessart Landscape
Krombach has 50 km of hiking trails through an attractive and varied Vorspessart landscape with abundant wildlife. The landscape is therefore a defining part of the hiking experience. If you enjoy spending your days on foot, you can consider Krombach as a destination with an extensive network of trails. The description of the landscape and the length of the trails give you a specific indication of the nature-focused side of your trip, without distinguishing between individual trails by length or difficulty.
The Krombacher Bach is also a local landmark: The name Krombach is thought to derive from this stream of the same name, which winds for 5 km through the valley. The origin of the town’s name remains uncertain; the stream’s length and course through the valley also illustrate a distinctive connection between the name and the landscape. In this way, local history is linked to the shape of the valley, which also defines the hiking landscape.
The Castle and the History of the District Court
Hauenstein Castle was a hilltop castle in Krombach in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was built around 1375 by Knight Werner Kolling on behalf of his liege lord Ulrich IV of Hanau. The castle is therefore a specific starting point if you are interested in the town’s medieval history. Forest paths run north past the castle ruins, between the castle hill and the adjacent high ground along the stream.
Another way to explore the area’s history is the Krombach Panorama Trail. It introduces the history of the Krombach District Court, which, due to its location on the border, was an independent judicial district for many centuries between places shaped by the Electorate of Mainz and those with a more Hessian character. In terms of choosing what interests you, the castle represents the history of a hilltop fortress and its construction around 1375, while the Panorama Trail explores the history of a judicial district and its distinctive border location. These are two different topics that bring Krombach’s past to life.
A Church with Different Periods of Construction
The Catholic parish church of St. Lambert and St. Sebastian is another point of historical interest. Its nave was built in 1744, while the lower part of the tower is medieval. Thus, different periods of construction come together in one church building. Krombach already had a parish church before 1296. If you are interested in church and architectural history, you will find both an early reference to a parish church in Krombach and specific information about the parts of St. Lambert and St. Sebastian.
Discover More Places
Other destinations to consider include Kleinkahl, Kahl, Bessenbach, Laufach, Geiselbach, Wiesen, Haibach and Aschaffenburg.
Return to the main travel overview: Aschaffenburg.
