European Culture Trail – of Clay, Stones and Shards

Hiking trails & Routes

European Culture Trail – of Clay, Stones and Shards

Moderate

4.8

(401)

1,211

hikers

European Culture Trail – of Clay, Stones and Shards

02:14

7.71km

190m

Hiking

The history of Klingenberg is of course primarily associated with wine and the Main river. Less obvious, but still visible today, is the influence of clay extraction, which shaped the town for around 60 years. This cultural trail leads you to the stone witnesses of that era and shows what is still preserved today.

It starts at the train station and the Main bridge, which was financed with funds from the clay works. The path then leads you into the Rosengarten, past buildings from Klingenberg's founding period. The developed path through the Seltenbach gorge also originated in this epoch. Above the gorge lies the "Altepurg". Whether it was also built in the Middle Ages to protect clay deposits remains speculation. The clay pit, closed in 2011, also tells the story of clay extraction and simultaneously leads into the present with the LBV's bird of prey station located there.

At the observation tower in the Ringwall – also built with the support of the clay works – you will enjoy wide views before the sun path leads you past the Clingenburg down into the old town. There, the museum forms the conclusion of the tour and tells the story of Klingenberg once again in many facets.

by visitspessart

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Bayerischer Odenwald

Naturpark Spessart

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

791 m

Clingenburg Castle Ascent

Highlight • Climb

Once you've conquered the steps, you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view over the Bavarian Main with its riverside towns.

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962 m

Ice Cellar Klingenberg Gorge

Highlight • Structure

In former times, beer from the surrounding breweries was actually stored here. Today, the cellar is used by local winemakers. Bats have also discovered the advantages of the cellar for themselves.

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1.36 km

Seltenbach Gorge

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

Beautiful path, partly also over small wooden bridges, through the gorge at the foot of the Klingenburg. A bit slippery in places when it rains (showers).

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4.63 km

Observation tower on the Schlossberg in Klingenberg

Highlight • Viewpoint

On the summit of the Schlossberg, the observation tower was built in 1903 in the middle of a ring wall.

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5.66 km

View of the Main Valley and Klingenberg from the Vineyard Rest Area

Highlight • Viewpoint

Very beautiful path with a great view of the Maintal and the surrounding towns.

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6.05 km

View of the Main Valley from the Klingenberg Vineyard Terraces

Highlight • Viewpoint

Klingenberg and wine belong together. Hence also the terraces for cultivation.

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6.61 km

Alexander's Castle Terrace Clingenburg

Highlight • Restaurant

Beautiful ruin, very worth seeing and the local restaurant has delicious food.

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6.95 km

World War I Memorial Plaque, Burg Wertheim

Highlight • Monument

On the way up to the castle, you pass this beautiful memorial plaque.

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7.71 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.74 km

2.14 km

1.74 km

826 m

240 m

Surfaces

2.18 km

1.98 km

1.39 km

1.31 km

773 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (280 m)

Lowest point (120 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

17°C

9°C

91 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 23, 2025,Kulturweg Klingenberg: Vom Ton, Steinen und Scherben

Today I walked through the Seltenbach Gorge with my daughter 👩‍⚖️. We weren't lucky enough to see any cute salamanders 🦎, but maybe we were a little too distracted because we were chattering so much 😅. In any case, the walk was beautiful 😍.

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November 19, 2023,Kulturweg Klingenberg "Vom Ton, Steinen und Scherben"

The weather forecast has predicted sunny spells without rain for today. And after a short rain shower in the parking lot at the train station, the sun came out.
A cultural trail that runs well. Start is at the train station. The path leads over the Main Bridge, with the first view of the Clingenburg, further through the rose garden …

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October 17, 2021,Seitenbachschlucht Klingenberg

Very nice exhausting tour but is "normal" for us 😂

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May 9, 2026,Klingenberg a.M. - Seltenbachschlucht und Weinberge

Since bird watching and bird songs have been a recurring topic on recent hikes, we downloaded the free Merlin Bird ID app before the tour. We tried it out in the Seitenbachschlucht gorge and not only there. Indeed, we were amazed at how many birds were around. In the wild and romantic Seitenbachschlucht gorge, we also encountered a fire salamander …

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May 1, 2025,Klingenberg: "Vom Ton, Steinen und Scherben"

I've had this tour in my repertoire for about three years, and today I did it.
Today? On the warmest day of the year so far? Yep, and it was a good choice.
From the train station, I crossed the Main River to a confusing signage at the roundabout... so as not to suddenly do the tour the other way …

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April 30, 2023,Seltenbachschlucht – Aussichtsturm Klingenberg Runde von Klingenberg am Main

Hike through the scenically beautiful and narrow Seltenbach Gorge to the Tonwerk Klingenberg. Then it went up to the lookout tower, which you can climb up. From there you have a beautiful view. At the tower there is a tourist restaurant, where there is also something to eat. It continues first through the forest, later along vineyards to the castle …

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September 19, 2024,Aussichtsturm Klingenberg – Grandioser Ausblick übers Tal Runde von Röllfeld

We parked at the Tonwerk and started the tour from there.
Overall, a great, varied hike; nice to walk.
The castle ruins are barely recognizable because of all the traffic signs, street lamps and event posters. What a pity!
The gorge is definitely worth a visit, even if it is almost completely dry in mid-September.
I would have liked to …

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April 7, 2023,Seltenbachschlucht – Klingenberg am Main

Close your eyes and through, but first look around 3 times so that no one is looking that you are doing something that is not allowed 🙈😂. If you do not dare, here for information: "Entering the Seltenbach Gorge is prohibited" ❗❗❗
I didn't do anything 🙈
I wish you all happy holidays 😘🐰🐤☀️

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April 4, 2023

The history of Klingenberg is of course primarily associated with wine and the Main river. Less obvious, but still visible today, is the influence of clay extraction, which shaped the town for around 60 years. This cultural trail leads you to the stone witnesses of that era and shows what is still preserved

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April 4, 2023

The cultural trail leads over a length of approximately 7.5 kilometers through the Klingenberg cultural landscape. Short and steep ascents have to be overcome. The trail is not suitable for strollers. Follow the marking of the yellow EU boat on a blue background.

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