HW 30: Weinheim - Gammelsbach - Buchen

The varied long-distance hiking trail leads through Weinheim
Your tour starts in Weinheim an der Bergstraße - an ancient settlement that already existed in the Stone, Bronze and Roman ages. Weinheim was granted town rights in the 11th century and later belonged to the Electoral Palatinate for a long time. Today you can see the remains of the old town fortifications with three towers, the town hall from 1557 and the former Electoral Palace with its wonderful park and exotic trees. Above the town, the ruins of Windeck Castle and Wachenburg Castle offer magnificent views.

Schönmattenwag
The route continues to Schönmattenwag, a district of Waldmichelbach. The church with its older Gothic choir and beautiful wood carvings is particularly worth seeing. The name itself - "Schimetewoog", which means "foaming pond" in dialect - reveals the village‘s close connection to nature.

Gammelsbach
In Gammelsbach, you will come across the ruins of Freienstein Castle, which was founded by the Schenken zu Erbach family in the 13th century. It was used to monitor the roads from the Neckar valley and was the administrative center for 15 villages. Later, the small castle was also used as a hunting lodge. After destruction during the Thirty Years‘ War and the use of its stones after 1800, it was preserved as a romantic ruin.

Mudau
The old market town of Mudau was once the seat of a centenary count with 28 villages. The late Gothic town hall from 1434 is still an eye-catcher today, as are the remains of the historic gallows, a reminder of the time when the town had its own blood court.

Buchen
The destination of your hike is Buchen, which was first mentioned in 773. The historic town center impresses with its numerous half-timbered buildings. Over the centuries, various rulers, uprisings, plague, war and fires have shaped the town‘s history. Today, you can marvel at the town hall with its baroque façade from 1723 or visit the former electoral winery from 1493, which now serves as a museum.