The Vorholz Bike Tour is located in the vacation region The Alzey Region and Rheinhessen Switzerland. It winds through the largest contiguous forest area in Rheinhessen, the magnificent Vorholz Forest, and offers stunning panoramic views, historical highlights, and lovely rest stops along the route. The certified hiking trail opened in May 2026; it is 11.9 kilometers long, and you should plan on spending about 3 hours on it.
Hike through the shady Vorholz Forest
From the Vorholz forest lodge north of Orbis, I hike along a narrow trail through a wonderfully shady forest toward Bechenheim. It’s mid-July, and it’s pleasantly cool here beneath the old oaks and mighty beech trees. In the silence of the forest, I hear the soft chirping of birds now and then. Many of the oaks are over 200 years old, and some are even much older. The region’s largest forest area has retained its unspoiled character; the trees stand close together and provide plenty of shade.
The Vorholz Forest is characterized by nature-oriented management, the preservation of deadwood, and the avoidance of clear-cutting. The Hiwweltour follows a shaded path to the northern edge of the forest, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the idyllically situated town of Bechenheim. I turn west and follow the signs to the Nieder-Wiesen lookout point on the Kahlenberg. At the „Tisch des Weines,“ I take a break to have a drink and snap a photo of myself using the Hiwweltour photo frame.
After enjoying the magnificent view of the hills of Rheinhessian Switzerland, I continue on my hike. The trail becomes winding and leads steeply downhill into the Dembach Valley. I now head toward Nieder-Wiesen, following the course of the stream. The path, covered in lush grass, is lined with meadow flowers in various colors. The ears of grain in the fields around Nieder-Wiesen shimmer golden-yellow in the summer sun.
Fording in Nieder-Wiesen and Kneipp arm baths
A short while later, I reach the picturesque village with its small moated castle, which was built by the Barons of Hunolstein around 1725. Another highlight awaits just around the corner: the ford across the Wiesbach. When the water level is low, you can cross it on foot. I choose the pedestrian bridge and, on the other side, dip my forearms into the Kneipp arm basin. The water is cold and wonderfully refreshing; the coolness comes at just the right time.
After a short rest on the bench next to the Kneipp arm basin, I continue walking in a southwesterly direction. The trail runs parallel to the Wiesbach as it leaves the village. Trees line the path, and as I hike, my gaze wanders over the surrounding hills and fields. I pass the sports field, where you can stop for a break at the TuS Nieder-Wiesen clubhouse. After that, I pass the Nieder-Wiesen Campground and the Schniftenberger Mill.
Historical Border at the Wiesbach
The next section of the Hiwweltour heading south runs once again through a wonderfully shady wooded area and parallel to the babbling Wiesbach. This was once the historic border between the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt and the Kingdom of Bavaria. The Vorholz Forest became a Hessian state forest after 1816 and a Rhineland-Palatinate state forest after 1945; today, the Wiesbach marks the border between Rheinhessen and the Palatinate.
Oberwiesen is another town in an idyllic setting that I come to on my tour, although the hiking trail only „skirted“ the town on its northern outskirts. However, hikers can stop at the restaurant in Oberwiesen „Zum Waldbock“ Stop for a break—it’s right next to the trail. There’s also an alternative starting point for the Hiwwel Tour; a sign points to the access path to the Oberwiesen parking lot, which is only 200 meters long.
Kappelberg – the highest point in Rheinhessen
I continue along the hiking trail, which now leads uphill as a narrow path strewn with roots. The ascent isn’t particularly steep, but it is steady. There’s a good reason for that—I’m heading for the „summit,“ the highest point in Rheinhessen. The Kappelberg (358 m) recently got a new summit cross with a summit logbook where you can sign your name. I do that right away and take a break on the bench to have a drink. Although the Kappelberg doesn’t offer any views, its highest point is beautifully situated in the middle of the forest.
On the final stretch of the hike to the Vorholz Forest House—the starting and ending point of the tour—I once again enjoy the magnificent silence and wonderfully fresh air in the forest. Again and again, I see butterflies and insects flitting toward colorful wildflowers along the trail. Every now and then, there’s a soft rustling behind the trees, but I can’t spot any forest animals. Finally, I reach the Vorholz Forest House, the destination of this beautiful and varied Hiwweltour.
Kneipp foot bath and Napoleon Stone at the Vorholz Forest House
At the end of the trail, a refreshing Kneipp footbath and a place to sit await weary hikers at the Vorholz Forest House. Right next to it stands the Napoleonstein, a 1.60-meter-high sandstone monument. The inscription in three languages commemorates Napoleon’s wedding in 1810. Legends surround the monument’s founder(s). It may have originally stood in Alzey, or perhaps it has always been here in Vorholz. The Lavalle brothers from Offenheim, who once served as foresters in the French civil service, may have erected a monument to their highest superior.
The Vorholz Hiwweltour is wonderfully varied and offers a very entertaining landscape. Shady stretches through the biodiverse Vorholz Forest alternate with hilly paths through fields and meadows that offer charming photo opportunities. In addition to the expansive Vorholz forest area and the beautiful viewpoints, my personal highlights are the „Tisch des Weines,“ the historic ford in Nieder-Wiesen, the Kappelberg with its summit cross, and the two Kneipp pools.
Vorholz Forest Trail
A few weeks after the opening of the Hiwweltour Vorholz, the forest trail in the Vorholz forest district was officially inaugurated. The loop trail starts at the Vorholz forest house, is about 2 km long, and features 6 interactive stations offering information about the forest and background on forestry. The forest trail is family-friendly, and the paths are flat. The route can also be navigated with an all-terrain stroller or wheelchair. The stations are beautifully designed and also provide tips for an eco-friendly lifestyle.
In addition to the stations, you can also start a rally through the forest using the free „Actionbound“ app. During the rally, you’ll be guided on your smartphone by a female forester and her dog. On the Hiwweltour, you’ll pass two of these stations. The forest trail starting at the Vorholz forest house can be combined with the Hiwweltour if you explore it at the beginning or end of the hike. This extends the Hiwweltour hike by the distance mentioned above.
Natural Landmark "Old Oaks in Vorholz"
Since 1982, the historic oak trees in the Vorholz Forest—which are over 400 years old—have been designated and protected as the „Old Oaks in Vorholz“ natural monument. As early as 1972, the Rheinhessen Forest Service began efforts to place these significant old oaks under protection. Covering an area of 1,450 to 1,500 hectares, the Vorholz Forest is the largest contiguous forest area in Rheinhessen. The old-growth forest and its ecological importance to the region are what make this a popular hiking and recreation area.
Getting There
You can reach the Hiwweltour by public transportation. From the Mühlweg bus stop in Bechenheim, follow Obergasse to the sports field at the edge of the forest (about 500 m) and then follow the marked trail (about 300 m) to the start of the tour. For the hike, we recommend non-slip footwear, comfortable hiking clothes, something to drink, and a snack in your backpack.
The Vorholz Hiwweltour is one of five Hiwweltours that opened this year. Hiking reports for all the „new“ Hiwweltours will be posted on the Rheinhessenblog from time to time. So stay tuned. You can find all the Hiwweltours at here.
