AUENLAND TRAIL (9.7 km)

AUENLAND TRAIL

Starting point: At the festival grounds – access via Niddaweg

This easy-to-walk circular route combines insights into the natural floodplain landscape with agriculturally used cultural land and historically interesting points, such as the village center of Dortelweil and its extraordinary village wall. From Bad Vilbel’s festival grounds, the route initially runs openly along the riverbank, with beautiful views over the Wetterau. It then continues along the Nidda, lined with old riverside trees and, in parts, as a footpath for pedestrians only, to the edge of Dortelweil, a district of Bad Vilbel. After the second Nidda bridge, a tiny passage first leads to the edge of the fields and then, quite suddenly, reaches Dortelweil’s historic village wall. Another path runs to the other end of the wall, where the play and rest area also provides information about this rare type of village wall. From here, the route heads out into the fields along the edge of the golf course. The Nidda floodplains, together with the fertile farming areas of the Wetterau, create varied landscapes with lush meadows and typical floodplain vegetation.

Right by the flood embankment you reach the “Storchennest” viewpoint and rest area, where a walk-in bird’s nest three meters in diameter can be discovered by hikers young and old.

Circling the golf course, with more beautiful views, the route leads through the cultural landscape into the Dortelweil district. Passing through the quiet village center with its historic buildings and a boundary-stone garden, you reach the Nidda again. After crossing it, at a rest area with a lovely view of the village, you continue towards Dottenfelder Hof. It offers an insight into the concept of biodynamic farming, along with explanations. Here you can buy many delicious organic products in the farm shop or sample them in the farm café.