Alsbach-Hähnlein between history and activity

History and exhibitions

The Alsbach-Hähnlein local history museum is housed in the Alte Bürgermeisterei (Old Mayor’s Office) in Hähnlein. It features notable objects from everyday life and regular special exhibitions that attract visitors from nearby and further afield. The collection and changing exhibitions each offer different points of interest. If you would like to plan a visit around a particular special exhibition, check the current dates in advance.

The Jewish Cemetery in Alsbach tells a story that reaches beyond the local area: from 1616 to 1948, Jewish people from 32 surrounding villages were buried here. These places are now in the districts of Darmstadt-Dieburg, Groß-Gerau and Bergstraße. The time span and the origins of those buried here give the cemetery a significance that extends beyond local history. The museum association regularly leads tours of the cemetery for interested visitors. For specific dates and access arrangements, please check the association’s latest information.

Hiking, cycling and exploring

For active days, Alsbach-Hähnlein offers a network of hiking trails and a mountain bike route. Your choice starts with whether you would rather spend time outdoors on foot or on a mountain bike. The two options give your day different focuses.

Separate from these is the “Stadtradeln” cycling initiative: the municipality has taken part for several years. During each campaign period, people can cycle for the municipality if they live or work in Alsbach-Hähnlein, belong to a club there or attend school there. Campaign periods vary from year to year; check the dates if you are planning to take part.

The “Wiedemann am Schloss” playground is designed as a castle-themed adventure playground. It is right next to Alsbach Castle, on the edge of—or in the middle of—the Alsbach forest. When it opened in May 2024, the other play areas and equipment were available without restrictions. The Melibokus Tower is also an interesting nearby destination: it is easy to reach from Alsbach Castle.

Getting here and choosing a holiday apartment

Regional trains towards Bensheim/Heidelberg and Darmstadt/Frankfurt stop at “Hähnlein-Alsbach” station. Check the current timetable before travelling by train. When looking for a holiday apartment in Alsbach-Hähnlein, it helps to set your priorities: will your stay focus mainly on the museum and Jewish history, or will hiking and mountain biking take centre stage?

Darmstadt-Dieburg as a wider regional perspective

The Darmstadt-Dieburg district includes the Hessian Rhine Plain, the Lower Main Plain, the Messel Hills, the Reinheim Hills, the Vorderer Odenwald and the Sandsteinodenwald. Within the district, the Bergstraße forms a striking transition between the Rhine Plain and the Odenwald. These landscapes give an overview of the variety of the wider Darmstadt-Dieburg destination.

The district’s cultural and natural history highlights include the Messel Pit UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fossil deposit preserves a unique and diverse range of fossils that document the history of the Earth 47 million years ago. It offers a distinct focus alongside the local history and leisure activities you can discover in Alsbach-Hähnlein.

The district’s routes also offer a range of options: Darmstadt-Dieburg has an extensive network of well-signposted routes for hiking, walking and Nordic walking. The family cycling route runs through the district from Erzhausen to Seeheim-Jugenheim and is about 40 kilometres long. The Reinheimer Teich nature reserve, in the northwestern foothills of the Odenwald, offers another way to experience nature. Meadows and fields surround the area; a circular path and numerous benches make it possible to explore.

Discover more destinations: Messel, Erzhausen, Griesheim, Bickenbach, Ober-Ramstadt, Groß-Zimmern, Otzberg, Roßdorf

For the wider travel overview: Darmstadt-Dieburg.