Forests and vineyards frame Fürfeld. Those wishing to combine nature and history on a trip will find a range of themes here: hiking trails pass through landscapes of vineyards and historic buildings, while chapels and other historical traces reveal the history of the village and its surroundings.
Hiking Among Vineyards and Nature
The Staudernheim–Soultz-sous-Forêts long-distance hiking trail, marked with a blue bar, passes through Fürfeld. Along its route, it runs from Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg towards the Palatinate and Alsace. The Rheinhessische Schweiz also offers extensive hiking opportunities through natural areas and vineyards; historic buildings and buildings reflecting local history stand along the trails.
The Hiwweltour Eichelberg offers another way to explore the area. It leads over pine-covered Eichelberg and through the unspoilt nature of the Rheinhessische Schweiz. The panoramic rest stops include Nordpfalzblick. One rest stop offers a view of Fürfeld, and a northern access trail leads into the village. Another access route leads from the edge of the village through vineyards towards Thalermühle. The tour combines Fürfeld’s village character, half-timbered architecture and wine culture with Baroque and medieval history.
The Chapel and the History of the Village
Iben Castle and Templar Chapel is one of Germany’s oldest Gothic church buildings; only its choir remains. The castle chapel stood at the centre of a medieval Templar moated castle, first mentioned in a document as a commandery residence in 1258. Only the chapel and a few remains of the fortification wall survive from the former moated castle of Hof Iben. From Fürfeld, you can reach the chapel via the L 410 towards Hof Iben; parking is available along the way to the chapel.
The village itself also offers traces of different historical periods. Fürfeld was first mentioned in a deed of donation issued in 897. The local lords, the Barons of Kerpen, had the Baroque house built around 1730 as the official residence of the village mayor. The Jewish cemetery contains 98 gravestones; the last burial took place in 1937.
Cycling Routes and Regional Landscapes
There are also varied landscape settings for cycling and walking routes. The former railway corridor between Wöllstein and Frei-Laubersheim is now used as a cycling and walking path. One cycling route follows the Appel through natural areas and past old mills, castle ruins, churches, vineyards, forests, meadows and fields. The Appel flows through the municipal area of Fürfeld. The Appelbachtal and Alsenztal are also part of the region’s cycling landscape: the terrain there is gently rolling, and mountain biking is also possible.
Culture in the Wider Destination of Bad Kreuznach
The wider destination of Bad Kreuznach offers further cultural attractions, each distinct in its own right. In the city of Bad Kreuznach, the bridge houses were built from 1480 onwards due to a lack of space. The half-timbered buildings stand on the piers of the old Nahe bridge, which was built around 1300. Since 1985/86, the museums of the city of Bad Kreuznach have been housed in the listed former Bangert manor, set in a historic park.
Bretzenheim is home to the Felseneremitage, a hermitage carved entirely into the rock. The place of worship probably dates back to prehistoric times and was repurposed in the early Christian period. In Windesheim, the orgel ART Museum is a musical instrument museum unique of its kind in Germany. These places add to the wider destination of Bad Kreuznach; their histories and features are each associated with the places named.
Discover more destinations: Gutenberg, Merxheim, Mandel, Bad Kreuznach, Brauweiler, Bretzenheim, Hochstetten-Dhaun, Meddersheim.
To the wider travel overview: Bad Kreuznach.
