Burkheim, its lakes and Sponeck Castle

Park in the motorhome car park on the right at the end of Rheinstrasse in Burkheim.

(S/E) Take the road leading away from the village.

(1) When you reach the forest, leave the road and take the path on the left (Hardtwaldweg), then turn right onto the footpath which runs alongside the Rappennestgiessen stream in places, offering some lovely views. When you reach the road, continue to the left until you come to a beach by a gravel pit.

(2) Walk back 150 m and take the path on the left which runs alongside the ponds. Follow the path to the road, which you cross to reach a rather unusual park (the Skulpturenpark) featuring sculptures made from recycled materials.

(3) Turn back 50 m and take the path on the right which runs alongside the road. Continue straight on to reach the banks of the Rhine, opposite the point where the canal feeding the hydroelectric power station meets the Old Rhine.

(4) Go back and take the path on the left which runs alongside the sports ground, then turn right onto the path that goes round the edge of the ground. Carry on to the left, pass between two ponds, then turn left to walk alongside some more ponds. Immediately after the playground and the Burkheim Angling Association’s shelter, turn right onto the small wooden bridge to cross a stream, then turn left and continue to a car park.

(5) Turn right towards Sponeck Castle. This is private property, but the garden is open to visitors during the summer months. A little further up, at a junction of signposted paths, turn right towards Burkheim (Yellow Diamond markings). After passing through a section of woodland, you’ll reach the vineyards, which offer a lovely view of the Kayserstuhl. Turn right between the woodland and the vineyards, then turn right again into the woodland. You’ll come to a gazebo offering a lovely view of the Rhine Valley.

(6) Continue straight on for about 700 m.

(7) Take the path on the right which leads down towards the village. Walk past a car park towards the church.

(8) Turn right, then take the steps leading down to the right of the church. Take a moment to admire the engraved stones under the porch at the church entrance. Head down to the left, then turn right onto Am Kirchberg. At the junction, turn right onto the main street (Mittelstadt), with the porch of the old village gate on your left.

After the well on the left, take the narrow lane on the right which passes in front of the Corkscrew Museum. Then turn left towards the entrance porch to Burkheim Castle and walk along the fortifications of the surrounding wall. Return to the main street, turn right and continue to the crossroads. Then turn left and walk for about a hundred metres.

(9) Turn right and walk past the Kräuterhof (herbalist’s shop). At the junction, turn right onto Rheinstrasse and head back to the starting car park (S/E).