The approximately 20-kilometer-long Willigis Vital Hiking Trail runs around and through Auen, passing directly by St. Willigis Chapel in the forest and the grave of the Hunter of the Palatinate. This gives the route two clearly identified cultural points of interest. Its approximate length makes the trail an activity in its own right; allow time and breaks for it.
Hiking and Architectural History in Auen
St. Willigis Chapel in the forest is listed as a cultural monument. It includes the choir of a Romanesque church that was altered in the early Gothic period; a restoration took place in 1912. The chapel thus brings together Romanesque origins, an early Gothic alteration, and a later, precisely dated restoration. Anyone interested in architectural history will find a tangible cultural point of interest along the hike.
There are also walking paths with places to sit around Auen, and two inns in the village serve meals. This lets you add walks and a stop for a meal to your day alongside the Vital Hiking Trail. If you plan to eat at one of the inns, check their current opening hours in advance.
If you are considering Auen as a place to stay overnight, your preferred itinerary may be the deciding factor: Will the Willigis Trail be your main activity, or are you more interested in the walking paths and the chapel’s architectural history? This can help you choose where to stay based on your interests in hiking and culture.
More Destinations in the Wider Bad Kreuznach Destination
In the wider Bad Kreuznach destination, the Bridge Houses offer a distinctive glimpse into architectural history. The half-timbered buildings were constructed from 1480 onward due to a lack of space and built on the piers of the old Nahe Bridge, which dates to around 1300. The dates place both structures in context: the bridge is older, and the houses were added later. This helps explain the Bridge Houses as separate buildings on an older bridge structure.
The Rock Hermitage in Bretzenheim is also part of the wider Bad Kreuznach destination. Hewn entirely into the rock, this place of worship probably dates back to prehistoric times and was repurposed in the early Christian period. It can be visited from the outside year-round without a guide; entry to the rock dwelling is currently not possible because of a rockfall.
Another summer leisure activity in the wider Bad Kreuznach destination is the barefoot trail in Bad Sobernheim. The footpath is 3.5 kilometers long and leads to the Nahe. Its features include a clay-treading pool, an agility course, and a variety of ground surfaces. Compared with the approximately 20-kilometer-long Willigis Vital Hiking Trail in Auen, the stated route is considerably shorter and offers different activity features.
The museums of the city of Bad Kreuznach are housed in the heritage-listed former Bangert manor in a historic park. They have been located there since 1985/86. This adds a museum site with its own architectural and usage history to the Bridge Houses and the Rock Hermitage.
Discover more destinations: Seesbach
Go to the wider travel overview: Bad Sobernheim.
